Po Toi

Po Toi (commonly Chinese: 蒲台島, originally 蒲苔島) is the main island of the Po Toi Islands in Hong Kong, with an area of 3.69 km².

The southern-most island of Hong Kong, it is famous for its rock formations, such as the Buddha Hand Rock (佛手巖), the Coffin Rock (棺材石), and the Tortoise Climbing up the Mountain (靈龜上山). The Deserted Mansion of Family Mo, (巫氏廢宅), usually referred to as the "Haunted House", is a popular venue of "adventure" for the young visitors. The island is also an ideal place for skywatch.

It is said that the island used to produce dried seaweeds (苔), which were shaped like the cattail hassock (蒲團) used by the monks for sitting; therefore the island was originally called 蒲苔島, the present common name being a corruption.

Another explanation states that Po Toi looks like a floating platform (浮台) when viewed from a distance on sea. 蒲 is another character meaning "to float" in the local dialect, thus giving the island its name.

Ancient Rock carvings on the island that date back over 2,000 years have been listed as declared monuments of Hong Kong. These may be viewed on a spur-track on the track that runs between the main harbour (Tai Wan), and the lighthouse.

Transport

The island is accessible mostly by private ferry (kai-to) or water taxi. Some scheduled ferries connect Po Toi island with Aberdeen, Stanley, North Point and Kwun Tong.

External links

* [http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Monument/en/monuments_06.php Rock Carving on Po Toi Island]
* [http://www.centamap.com/gc/home.aspx?x=845122&y=803499&sx=845122.503&sy=803499.53803&z=7 CentaMap map of Po Toi Island]