Kat O
Island in north-east Hong Kong
title: "Kat O" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["islands-of-hong-kong", "north-district,-hong-kong", "hong-kong-unesco-global-geopark", "populated-places-in-hong-kong"] description: "Island in north-east Hong Kong" topic_path: "general/islands-of-hong-kong" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kat_O" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Island in north-east Hong Kong ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox islands"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Kat O |
| local_name | 吉澳 |
| image_name | Kat O (cropped).jpg |
| image_caption | The pier of Kat O |
| map_image | Crooked Island - Hong Kong.svg |
| map_caption | Location of Kat O in Hong Kong |
| location | North District |
| area_km2 | 2.35 |
| length_km | |
| width_km | |
| coastline_km | |
| elevation_m | 122 |
| highest_mount | Kai Kung Leng |
| () | |
| country | |
| :: |
| name = Kat O | local_name = 吉澳 | image_name = Kat O (cropped).jpg | image_caption = The pier of Kat O | map_image = Crooked Island - Hong Kong.svg | map_caption = Location of Kat O in Hong Kong | location = North District | area_km2 = 2.35 | length_km = | width_km = | coastline_km = | elevation_m = 122 | highest_mount = Kai Kung Leng () | country = | population = | population_as_of = |order= |showflag= |t=吉澳 |j=Gat1 ou3 |y=Gāt ou |h=Ket au |l=Crooked Island ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/渔村_-_panoramio.jpg" caption="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
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Tin_Hau_Temple_Kat_O.jpg" caption="Tin Hau Temple]] on Kat O"] ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Wong_Kok_Teng.jpg" caption="labels=no}}) 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. Its highest point is Kai Kung Leng (), which is 122 m above sea level.
O Pui Tong () is a bay surrounded by the crook-shaped Crooked Island and Yeung Chau. 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. Other residents were Tanka fishermen.
Features
The Tin Hau Temple at Kat O is estimated to be built in 1763. It is listed as a Grade III historic building. Part of the temple building was used for the Tat O School until the school was moved to a new location in 1957. A Pak Kung Shrine is also located in the vicinity.
The island is home to three cannons. These are thought to have been made in the west, during the 19th century.
Conservation
Kat O has been part of the Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park since 1979.
The Kat O Nature Trail is 1 km long, stretching from the Kat O Ferry Pier to Ko Tei Teng ().
The Kat O Geoheritage Centre (at No. 142 Kat O Main Street) was opened in 2010 by Kat O villagers, volunteer groups and the government to raise public awareness of geo-conservation, as part of the Hong Kong Geopark.
References
References
- (September 2009). "List of Recognized Villages under the New Territories Small House Policy". [[Lands Department]].
- Hong Kong Geopark: [http://www.geopark.gov.hk/en_s2b2i.htm Kat O Nature Trail]
- Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department: [http://www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/publications/hk_geographic_data_sheet.pdf Hong Kong geographic data sheet]
- "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".
- "O Pui Tong Fish Culture Zone". [[The University of Hong Kong]].
- (12 August 2019). "Marine fish culture, pond fish culture and oyster culture". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
- [[Antiquities Advisory Board]]. Historic Building Appraisal. [https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/common/historicbuilding/en/974_Appraisal_En.pdf Tin Hau Temple, Sai O, Kat O]
- [https://hongkongfp.com/2020/09/06/hkfp-venture-kat-o-hong-kongs-forgotten-island-once-its-international-gateway/ HKFP Venture: Kat O, Hong Kong’s forgotten island – once its international gateway], HKFP, by Rhoda Kwan. 6 Sept 2020
- "Welcome to 18 Districts - North District".
- [[Antiquities Advisory Board]]. [https://www.aab.gov.hk/filemanager/aab/en/content_29/AAB-SM-chi.pdf List of the 1,444 Historic Buildings with Assessment Results]
- (2016-03-04). "Crooked Island".
- [http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_pc/cou_vis_cou_pc.html Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: Plover Cove Country Park] {{webarchive. link. (2013-09-29)
- [[Time Out (magazine). ''Time Out'' Hong Kong]]: [http://www.timeout.com.hk/around-town/features/66009/secret-hong-kong-islands.html "Secret Hong Kong islands"] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-09-05 , 29 Apr 2014)
- Hong Kong Geopark: [http://www.geopark.gov.hk/en_s2f3.htm Kat O Geoheritage Centre]
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