Lamma Island

Lamma Island (南丫島; pinyin: nán yā dǎo; Jyutping: Nam4 Nga1 Dou2), also known as “Po Liu Chau”, is the third largest island in Hong Kong and part of the Islands District, Hong Kong.

Related Topics:
Pinyin - Jyutping - Island - Hong Kong - Islands District, Hong Kong

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Situated at the southwest of Hong Kong Island, it has a total area of 13.55 square kilometers and an estimated population of 6,000. There are regular ferry services to Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan from the Outlying Islands Ferry Pier No. 4 in Central on Hong Kong Island, as well as to Yung Shue Wan via Pak Kok from a pier in Aberdeen near the fish market. It takes about 20 minutes by fast ferry, and 35 minutes by regular ferry, to get between Yung Shue Wan to Central.

Related Topics:
Hong Kong Island - Square kilometer - Ferry - Yung Shue Wan - Sok Kwu Wan - Central - Aberdeen

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Lamma is, in contrast to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, peaceful and tranquil, with relatively natural scenery. Buildings higher than three storeys are prohibited and there are no roads and hence, no automobiles, but diminutive fire trucks and ambulances, as well as village vehicles are around to serve the community's transport needs. Lamma provides an alternative to the hectic life in the city. Property values and rental costs are also very cheap compared with those of central Hong Kong. Partly in consequence, there is a significant expatriate community on Lamma Island. It is also popular with younger people and a haven for artists. The different communities live together quite peacefully and successfully.

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Lamma was named after the shape of the island which looks like the limb of a tree, or the letter Y (corresponding to the Chinese character of "a"), and Namm (n is allophone of l) means "south". The northern village is called Yung Shue Wan (Banyan Tree Bay) and the eastern village Sok Kwu Wan. The southern part of Lamma Island has minimal population. Sham Wan, an important breeding site for sea turtles, is located there. This bay is also the site of an important Bronze Age settlement which was unearthed by archaeologists in the 1970s. It yielded evidence of people living on Lamma during the "Middle Neolithic" phase (approximately 3800-3000 BC).

Related Topics:
Y - Chinese character - Allophone - Banyan - Bronze Age - Middle Neolithic

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Chow Yun-Fat, a well-known actor, grew up on the island in the village of Tung O.

Related Topics:
Chow Yun-Fat - Tung O

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