In Sai Wan, there's a Chinese village gate with a Canadian flag and the word 'Care'. It's the entrance to one of Cheung Chau's three Care Villages. In the less affluent 1950s and 60s, life was hard for fishers, many of whom lived on shabby boats, so rural representatives turned to Care USA, a global humanitarian agency with offices in the US and Canada, for assistance. The three villages in Sai Wan were built between 1968 and 1972.

The villages have rows of houses with external kitchens in a wide communal corridor. The three villages are interconnected and dotting the paths are a dozen plaques marking their founding and expansion, and recording histories. The old way of life is still retained here. At Lunar New Year, you'll find old ladies in sheds pounding rice and steaming them on a firewood stove to make rice cakes. As this is a residential area, please be respectful during your visit and refrain from entering the homes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Sai Wan Tin Hau Temple

0.07 MILES

This small 200-year-old temple is dedicated to Tin Hau, goddess of the sea, a most important deity for a sea-centric island like Cheung Chau.

2. Cheung Po Tsai Cave

0.16 MILES

This ‘cave’ – in truth not much more than a hole in some rocks – on the southwestern peninsula of the island is said to have been the favourite hideout of…

3. Reclining Rocks

0.19 MILES

In the southwestern corner of Cheung Chau are five giant eroded rocks on a cliff, like something from Chinese mythology. The largest of the scenic…

4. Pak Tso Wan

0.26 MILES

If you are visiting the nearby cemetery, it’s worth dropping down to Pak Tso Wan (known by local westerners as 'Italian Beach'), a sandy, isolated spot…

5. Cemetery

0.28 MILES

Peak Rd is the main route to the island’s cemetery in the southwestern part of the island; you’ll pass several pavilions along the way built for coffin…

6. Cheung Chau Market

0.7 MILES

You'll find plenty of dried seafood, plus staples such as vegetables, rice and meat, at this traditional food market.

7. Cheung Chau Main Street & Vicinity

0.82 MILES

The island’s main settlement lies along the narrow strip of land connecting the headlands to the north and the south. The waterfront is a bustling place…

8. Kwan Kung Pavilion

0.86 MILES

This small temple houses a 2.5m statue of the god Kwan Kung, a Han dynasty general, made from a whole camphor tree.