thumb|Village houses near the coast

Kat O (), also named Crooked Island, is an island in northeast Hong Kong.

Administration

Administratively, Kat O is part of North District. It is a recognized village under the New Territories Small House Policy.

Geography

thumb|[[Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong|Tin Hau Temple on Kat O]]

thumb|Camp Cove () in the southern part of Kat O

Kat O is located in the west of Mirs Bay. With an area of 2.35 km², it is the largest island in North District, the second largest being Wong Wan Chau (Double Island). Neighbouring islands include Ap Chau, Ngo Mei Chau (Crescent Island), and Pak Sha Chau (Round Island). The village of Tung O () is located on its northwest coast. O Pui Tong, together with the northwestern waters of Kat O, are two of the 26 designated marine fish culture zones in Hong Kong.

History

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

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. It is listed as a Grade III historic building. Part of the temple building was used for the <!--spelling? Tat or Kat?-->Tat O School until the school was moved to a new location in 1957.

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

The Kat O Nature Trail is 1 km long, stretching from the Kat O Ferry Pier to Ko Tei Teng (). by Kat O villagers, volunteer groups and the government to raise public awareness of geo-conservation, as part of the Hong Kong Geopark.

See also

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

References

Further reading

  • 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: [http://www.kut-o.com/archive.htm], [http://thaiworldview.com/hongkong/outerisland/kat%20o.htm]
  • Hong Kong Geopark: "Lee Yuk Ying Introduces the Cultural History of Kat O to Visitors".
  • Webpage about Kat O
  • Antiquities Advisory Board. 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