Sun-bleached Luk Chau village gives way to Lamma Island’s encroaching jungle


The semi-abandoned remote village of Luk Chau sits on the northeast coast of Lamma Island.

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Its original inhabitants – farmers and fishermen – came from Xixiang, Baoan in Guangdong.

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Luk Chau literally means “deer islet,” as the village was rumoured to be home to barking deer.

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Facing the sea, with woodland at the rear, it has idyllic feng shui and is home to about a dozen families today.

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Many of the uninhabited properties are now derelict, with vines and banyan trees reclaiming the village.

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Some of the properties contain furniature, crockery and family photos – now left abandoned.

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

It is also home to a curious traditional Chinese village house with art deco elements.

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Lamma Island, Luk Chau Tsuen

Luk Chau is a 15-minute speedboat ride from Aberdeen or a 40-minute hike from Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma.