Hei Ling Chau, Island in Hong Kong, China.
Hei Ling Chau is an L-shaped island near Lantau with a maximum height of around 190 meters. The island spans nearly 2 square kilometers and sits east of its better-known neighboring islands.
The island was originally known by a different name and served as a leper colony in the mid-20th century. After this period, it was later converted into a correctional facility and repurposed for other uses.
Two Tin Hau temples mark the island, one dating from the 1920s that was later repurposed, while another was built afterward to reflect the site's continued religious importance to the region.
Access to the island requires a permit and is not open to casual visitors. Those seeking to visit must contact the relevant authorities and can expect ferry services from nearby islands.
The island is home to a rare lizard species found nowhere else, living beneath the soil surface. This small creature has an unusual adaptation where its eyes are completely covered by scales.
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