Kat O

Kat O (Chinese: 吉澳) also named Crooked Island, is an island in Northeast Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of North District.

Kat O
吉澳
The pier of Kat O
Location of Kat O in Hong Kong
Geography
LocationNorth District
Area2.35 km2 (0.91 sq mi)
Highest elevation122 m (400 ft)
Highest pointKai Kung Leng
(雞公嶺)
Administration
Kat O
Traditional Chinese吉澳
Literal meaningCrooked Island
Village houses near the coast

Geography
Hong Kong Marine Police station on Kat O

Kat O is located in the west of Mirs Bay.[1] With an area of 2.35 km²,[2] it is the largest island in North District, the second largest being Wong Wan Chau (Double Island).[3] Neighbouring islands include: Ap Chau, Ngo Mei Chau (Crescent Island), and Pak Sha Chau (Round Island). The village of Tung O (東澳) is located on its northwest coast.[3] Its highest point is Kai Kung Leng (雞公嶺), which is 122 m above sea level.[1]

History

Kat O was once a major fishing market in Hong Kong,[4] and long served as an important stopover for boats travelling between Hong Kong and the rest of China.[5]

During the Ming dynasty, a decree required all inhabitants to leave the island. Then in the 1660s, soon after the end of the dynasty, it was re-settled by Hakka people.[5] Other residents were Tanka fishermen.[4]

Tin Hau Temple on Kat O

The Tin Hau Temple at Kat O was estimated to be built in 1763.[6] It is listed as a Grade III historic building.[7] Part of the temple building was used for the Tat O School until the school was moved to a new location in 1957.[4] A Pak Kung Shrine is also located in the vicinity.[8]

The island is home to three cannons. These are thought to have been made in the west, during the 19th century.[8]

Conservation

Kat O was part of the Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park since 1979.[9]

The Kat O Nature Trail spans 1 km long, stretching from the Kat O Ferry Pier to Ko Tei Teng (高地頂).[1]

The Kat O Geoheritage Centre (at No. 142 Kat O Main Street) was opened in 2010[10] by Kat O villagers, volunteer groups and the government to raise public awareness of geo-conservation, as part of the Hong Kong Geopark.[11]

See also

References
  1. Hong Kong Geopark: Kat O Nature Trail
  2. Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department: Hong Kong geographic data sheet
  3. K.W. Lai, S.D.G. Campbell & R. Shaw, Geology of the Northeastern New Territories, p. 15, Civil Engineering Dept, Geotechnical Engineering Office, December 1996
  4. Antiquities Advisory Board. Historic Building Appraisal. Tin Hau Temple, Sai O, Kat O
  5. HKFP Venture: Kat O, Hong Kong’s forgotten island – once its international gateway, HKFP, by Rhoda Kwan. 6 Sept 2020
  6. Welcome to 18 Districts - North District
  7. List of the 1,444 Historic Buildings with Assessment Results
  8. "Crooked Island". 2016-03-04. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  9. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: Plover Cove Country Park Archived 2013-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Time Out Hong Kong: "Secret Hong Kong islands", 29 Apr 2014
  11. Hong Kong Geopark: Kat O Geoheritage Centre

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