Tai O has a history of salt production. In 1940, it was recorded that the Tai Po salt marshes were covering 70 acres (280,000 m2) and that the production has amounted to 25,000 piculs (1,512 metric tons) in 1938.
Currently the fishing lifestyle is dying out. While many residents continue to fish, it barely provides a subsistence income. There is a public school on the island and most young people move away when they come of age. In 2000 a large fire broke out destroying many residences. The village is now mostly squatters huts and dilapidated stilt houses.
Also known as the "Venice of Hong Kong", Tai O is also a hot tourist spot for both foreigners and residents of other parts of Hong Kong, despite damage by a fire in July 2000. The pang uks, a kind of stilt house, built right over the waterway are still quite scenic. A rope bridge tended by local women used to be quite popular with visitors, but it has been replaced with a steel pedestrian bridge in October 1996.
The traditional salted fish and shrimp paste and storefronts at Tai O. For a small fee, some residents will take tourists out on their boats along the river and for short jaunts into the sea. Many tourists come to Tai O specifically to take these trips to see Chinese white dolphins. It is also a good place to see the sunset.
There are two graded building in Tai O - Yeung Hau Temple (built in 1699) and Old Tai O Police Station.
Once you visit Tai O, you must taste the most delicious Hong Kong Style Egg Waffle which is cooked by an old man, it's a bit sweet in general and it's texture is really like a spongecake. Also, Tofu-fa is also a must eat item which is served with ginger syrup.
To avoid the crowded situation, I would like to recommend that visitors can visit this place on weekdays and especially do not visit on public holiday. It is because most of the tourisms are always travel there on weekend and public holiday.
