Stilt houses in Hong Kong

The stilt houses in Tai O and Lei Yue Mun Village are wooden structures built on strong pillars that rise above the water and move with tides and currents. They form dense clusters connected by narrow footpaths where residents operate small shops selling dried fish and other local goods.

These houses developed when fishing families abandoned their traditional boat dwellings and established permanent settlements along the coast. A major fire in 2000 destroyed many original wooden buildings, after which reconstruction incorporated metal materials for greater durability and fire resistance.

The houses originated from Tanka fishing families who once lived on boats and gradually settled in permanent coastal dwellings. Today visitors can observe traditional fishing practices and the deep connection these communities maintain with the water around them.

Visitors explore the area best on foot by climbing the narrow staircases and pathways connecting the structures. Low tide is the ideal time to visit, as more ground becomes visible and walkways are less slippery.

Each house displays different combinations of wood and metal patches that reveal how individual residents have weathered typhoons and flooding. These patchwork repairs are not random but signs of creative adaptation to the harsh maritime setting.