Po Toi Island

Referred to by locals as Hong Kong's 'South Pole', Po Toi is the territory's southernmost island. Covering an area of 3.69 square kilometres, the car-free island is one of Hong Kong's least populated islands, home to only 20 residents.

Once on the island, three hiking trails of varying difficulty allow visitors to reach the main points of interest. Among which are rock formations like Buddha's Palm Cliff or Tortoise Rock, the supposedly haunted ruins of Mo's old house, and the Tin Hau Temple.

Most historically significant are the Bronze age rock carvings, speculated to be over 3000 years old and supposedly hewn to appease sea gods. Po Toi is also a popular destination for campers and stargazers, due to being one of Hong Kong's least light polluted locations.

While the sparse present-day population is a far cry from its 1950s peak of 2000 residents, the traditional industries of fishing and harvesting seaweed still remain prevalent. Combined with the fact that the island is without running water and off the electrical grid, Po Toi seems almost unbothered by the goings-on of the metropolis across the water, remaining a snapshot in time of when Hong Kong was merely an insignificant fishing village, clinging to the South China coastline.