geo.wikisort.org - Island

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

Geography

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]

O Pui Tong (澳背塘) is a bay surrounded by the crook-shaped Crooked Island and Yeung Chau.[4] O Pui Tong, together with the northwestern waters of Kat O, are two of the 26 designated marine fish culture zones in Hong Kong.[5]

History

Kat O was once a major fishing market in Hong Kong,[6] and long served as an important stopover for boats travelling between Hong Kong and the rest of China.[7]

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.[7] Other residents were Tanka fishermen.[6]

The Tin Hau Temple at Kat O was estimated to be built in 1763.[8] It is listed as a Grade III historic building.[9] Part of the temple building was used for the Tat O School until the school was moved to a new location in 1957.[6] A Pak Kung Shrine is also located in the vicinity.[10]

The island is home to three cannons. These are thought to have been made in the west, during the 19th century.[10]

Conservation

Kat O was part of the Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park since 1979.[11]

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[12] by Kat O villagers, volunteer groups and the government to raise public awareness of geo-conservation, as part of the Hong Kong Geopark.[13]

See also

• Crooked Harbour
• Double Haven
• Pat Sin Leng Country Park

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Crooked Island, Hong Kong.

• Delineation of area of existing village Kat O (Sha Tau Kok) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)
• Kut-O Chinese Association (Kent area) Website
• Pictures of Kat O: ,
• Hong Kong Geopark: "Lee Yuk Ying Introduces the Cultural History of Kat O to Visitors".
• Webpage about Kat O
• Pictures of Tin Hau Temple, Sai O, Kat O
• How to visit two of Hong Kong's most remote islands in one day CNN.com

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