The Tai O fishing village is located on the western side of Lantau Island. It is an idyllic terrain, dotted with stilt houses jutting out into the sea. Part of the ICH funds are used to sponsor public talks and trips to observe the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, organized by the Joint Association of Traditional Dragon Boats in Tai O. Thanks to the funding, members of the public are better acquainted with "the historical, social and cultural significance of this national ICH item and get the chance to observe it from the stilt houses along the parade route together with the local residents of Tai O", says a spokesperson for the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office.

Managed as a nonprofit social enterprise by the Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation, the UNESCO-awarded Tai O Heritage Hotel is doing its bit to complement government initiatives to celebrate Tai O. To mark the onset of the Year of the Dragon per the Chinese lunar calendar in February, the hotel offered a traditional sampan experience and docent tours led by the local youth. A massive public art installation featuring 168 Chinese drums, designed by Stanley Wong and hand-painted by members of the local community, was unveiled. Such initiatives allow visitors to immerse themselves in the unique history of Tai O, and be especially aware of its cultural heritage.

Heritage tales

A number of Hong Kong's outlying islands are part of the city's UNESCO Global Geopark area, spread out across more than 150 square kilometers. These include Tung Ping Chau and Port Island in the northeastern part of the New Territories, as well as an archipelago on the eastern side of the Sai Kung Peninsula, which includes tourist hotspots Sharp Island and High Island. The terrain has plenty to offer in terms of both geological marvels like spectacular rock columns as well as ethno-cultural heritage - the chance to observe the distinct lifestyles of the local Hakka and fishermen communities, for example.

"With a view to preserving and promoting the natural and cultural heritage of these islands, bilingual map boards and information panels showing recommended tour routes have been installed," says Chan Yu-nam, a senior Geopark officer with the HKSAR government's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. "Some of the islands have 'story rooms' so that visitors can learn more about the local history and culture."

She adds that the story rooms are popular with the young people living in the area. The exhibitions have sparked in them a curiosity about their own heritage. Some of these young people have been inspired enough to work as docents, offering guided tours to visitors.