Kat O
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Kat O (Template:Zh), also named Crooked Island, is an island in northeast Hong Kong.
AdministrationEdit
Administratively, Kat O is part of North District. It is a recognized village under the New Territories Small House Policy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
GeographyEdit
Kat O is located in the west of Mirs Bay.<ref name="Nature Trail">Hong Kong Geopark: Kat O Nature Trail</ref> With an area of 2.35 km²,<ref>Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department: Hong Kong geographic data sheet</ref> it is the largest island in North District, the second largest being Wong Wan Chau (Double Island).<ref name="Campbell">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Neighbouring islands include Ap Chau, Ngo Mei Chau (Crescent Island), and Pak Sha Chau (Round Island). The village of Tung O (Template:Zh) is located on its northwest coast.<ref name="Campbell"/> Its highest point is Kai Kung Leng (Template:Zh), which is 122 m above sea level.<ref name="Nature Trail"/>
O Pui Tong (Template:Zh) is a bay surrounded by the crook-shaped Crooked Island and Yeung Chau.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> O Pui Tong, together with the northwestern waters of Kat O, are two of the 26 designated marine fish culture zones in Hong Kong.<ref name="fisheries culture">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HistoryEdit
Kat O was once a major fishing market in Hong Kong,<ref name='gradeiii'>Antiquities Advisory Board. Historic Building Appraisal. Tin Hau Temple, Sai O, Kat O</ref> and long served as an important stopover for boats travelling between Hong Kong and the rest of China.<ref name=Rhoda>HKFP Venture: Kat O, Hong Kong’s forgotten island – once its international gateway, HKFP, by Rhoda Kwan. 6 Sept 2020</ref>
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.<ref name=Rhoda/> Other residents were Tanka fishermen.<ref name='gradeiii'/>
FeaturesEdit
The Tin Hau Temple at Kat O is estimated to be built in 1763.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is listed as a Grade III historic building.<ref>Antiquities Advisory Board. List of the 1,444 Historic Buildings with Assessment Results</ref> Part of the temple building was used for the Tat O School until the school was moved to a new location in 1957.<ref name='gradeiii'/> A Pak Kung Shrine is also located in the vicinity.<ref name='factfile'>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The island is home to three cannons. These are thought to have been made in the west, during the 19th century.<ref name='factfile'/>
ConservationEdit
Kat O has been part of the Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park since 1979.<ref>Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: Plover Cove Country Park Template:Webarchive</ref>
The Kat O Nature Trail is 1 km long, stretching from the Kat O Ferry Pier to Ko Tei Teng (Template:Zh).<ref name="Nature Trail"/>
The Kat O Geoheritage Centre (at No. 142 Kat O Main Street) was opened in 2010<ref>Time Out Hong Kong: "Secret Hong Kong islands" Template:Webarchive, 29 Apr 2014</ref> by Kat O villagers, volunteer groups and the government to raise public awareness of geo-conservation, as part of the Hong Kong Geopark.<ref>Hong Kong Geopark: Kat O Geoheritage Centre</ref>
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
Further readingEdit
External linksEdit
- 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: [1], [2]
- Hong Kong Geopark: "Lee Yuk Ying Introduces the Cultural History of Kat O to Visitors".
- Webpage about Kat O Template:Webarchive
- 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
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