Located to the east of Sha Tau Kok, Ap Chau, which literally means ‘duck island’, got its name because it looks like a duck on water. Composed of red breccia, which is rare in Hong Kong, this small island boasts rich geological culture and human touch with some famous geological attractions, including ‘Duck’s Eye’, which was formed as a result of prolonged wave erosion, and ‘Duck’s Neck’, which is made up of a fault zone. In the 1930s, when Ap Chau was still a deserted island, it was an anchorage for fishermen who fished in nearby waters to fix and repair their fishing tackle and fishing boats. As more people went there, a fishing community gradually took shape, and later built huts, a church, and village schools on the island, with a population of one thousand inhabitants at its height. At present, the island has lost most of its population and in 2018 the school was converted into Ap Chau Story Room, which promotes the history and culture of the island.
