The Islands District is a sub-district of the Hong Kong SAR of China, covering the largest area and with the smallest population among the 18 administrative districts of the HKSAR. It consists of more than 20 islands of various sizes, spreading across the southern and southwestern parts of the HKSAR. The Islands District is a treasure trove of archaeological discoveries, with archaeological sites on Lantau Island, Lamma Island and Cheung Chau, where many valuable artifacts have been unearthed. In addition, Tung Chung Battery and temples on various islands are also popular places that tourists love to visit. Ngong Ping has always been famous for the Po Lin Monastery and has become an internationally recognized tourist attraction since the mid-1990s when the world's largest outdoor bronze seated Buddha was built. The outlying islands (including Taipa Island, Cotai Reclamation Area and Coloane Island) have a total coastline of 49.5 kilometers.
Tai O, Cheung Chau and Lamma Island, which used to be famous fishing villages and fish farms, have now become famous tourist hotspots. South Lantau, with its unique coastal features, various natural scenery, beautiful sandy beaches and deep woods, is a popular choice for excursions and vacations. Since the late 1970s, Discovery Bay has evolved into a fully planned private suburban residential area with comprehensive recreational facilities, including an artificial beach and a golf course.
Apart from the Chinese festivals commonly celebrated by Hong Kong Chinese, such as the Sheung Yuen Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, residents of the outlying islands are particularly rich in traditional festivals. Tin Hau Festival is celebrated on the 23rd day of the third month of the lunar calendar and is celebrated with great pomp and circumstance by fishermen's groups on Cheung Chau, Tai O, Mui Wo, Peng Chau, Lamma Island and Po Toi Island. Tin Hau is the goddess in charge of the sea and blesses the fishermen with good weather conditions and a thousand pounds in their nets when they go out to sea. Tin Hau Festival is a colorful festival, and one of the most distinctive features is the offerings made of floral paper called "Flower Cannons". Hau Wong Festival is another popular festival in the Islands District. There is still a lot of confusion as to who the Hau Wong was, but it is generally believed that he was Yang Liangjie, a loyal official at the end of the Song Dynasty. The date of celebration varies from district to district, for example, Hau Wong Festival is celebrated in Tai O in the sixth month of the Lunar Calendar, while Tung Chung is celebrated in the eighth month of the Lunar Calendar.
