Living Like a Traveler: Rediscovering Life's Colors in Shek O Village and Double Moon Bay

Meta Description: Escape the ordinary and rediscover life's colors at Hong Kong's Shek O Village and Huizhou's Double Moon Bay. Explore colorful streets, iconic film locations, and fresh seafood in this SEO-optimized travel guide.

Introduction: Why We Need to Live Like a Traveler

Time slips by quietly, and before we know it, another year is drawing to a close. Flipping through the wish list I wrote at the beginning of the year, most items are still lying there untouched, never crossed off. Yet life has never been a checklist that needs to be perfectly completed. It's more like an unfinished painting, waiting for us to fill in the blank spaces with our footsteps and our gaze.

This year, with work keeping me busy, long-distance travel became a luxury. Just before National Day, I had originally planned a trip to Kenting or Phuket, but it fell through for various reasons. So I decided to turn my attention closer to home—to those scenic spots tucked away in forgotten corners. Hong Kong's Shek O Village and Huizhou's Double Moon Bay (Shuangyue Bay) came into my view. One carries the romance of the film The King of Comedy, the other overflows with mouthwatering seafood. They are like two old friends with completely different personalities—one gentle and serene, the other warm and exuberant—yet both taught me the same lesson: live like a traveler, even if it's just a brief escape.

Shek O Village: Embracing a Summer Breeze in a Colorful Fairy-Tale Village

When people talk about Hong Kong, most think of the neon lights of Mong Kok, the bustling streets of Tsim Sha Tsui, and the skyscrapers of Central. But Hong Kong has another side—a colorful fairy-tale village far from the noise, hidden between the sea and the mountains. Shek O Village, a small fishing village on the southeastern coast of Hong Kong Island, has no shopping malls, no towering buildings—only azure waters, white sandy beaches, and streets painted in vibrant hues by the sunlight.

Stepping into a Fairy Tale: Wandering the Colorful Streets of Shek O

Getting off at Shau Kei Wan MTR Station's Exit A3 and hopping on bus route 9, after about 40 minutes the bus begins winding along the mountain road. The scenery outside the window gradually shifts from city skyscrapers to lush green forests, then opens up to expansive ocean views. At that moment, it feels as if even your breathing becomes lighter.

The beauty of Shek O Village is the kind that needs no filter. Every house is painted in bright colors—yellow against blue, red against green, fluorescent orange—like a spilled palette, yet somehow perfectly harmonious. Walking through the narrow lanes, bougainvillea cascades over the walls, mailboxes are adorned with cheerful smiley faces, and every household has plants and flowers at their doorstep. Life here moves at a slow pace—so slow that you can hear the wind rustling through the leaves, so slow that you can sit by the roadside and watch a child ride a bicycle back and forth until the sun sets.

Visiting the Iconic Scenes from The King of Comedy in Shek O

For movie fans, the biggest draw of Shek O Village is undoubtedly the locations that appeared in The King of Comedy. The Tin Hau Temple is where the characters Yin Tianchou and Lau Piu-piu first meet, and the famous tree—where Yin Tianchou teaches Lau Piu-piu how to act—is now reinforced with steel supports, bearing witness to the passage of time. Standing beneath that tree, you can almost hear the classic line: "I'll take care of you."

In addition, the Shek O Health Centre and Shek O Beach are also filming locations from the movie. But even without the film's connection, this place is captivating enough on its own. The back beach of Shek O faces the Pacific Ocean, where waves crash against the rocks and the sea breeze carries a salty, damp scent. On the sand, some people are sunbathing, others are building sandcastles with their children, and still others just sit quietly, watching the sea blend into the sky.

Shek O Travel Tips: How to Get There and What to Know

• Getting there: Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station, exit at A3, then transfer to bus route 9 directly to Shek O Village.
• Note: Shek O Village is a private residential area. Please keep noise to a minimum when taking photos and avoid disturbing the residents.
• Recommendation: If you have extra time, check out the Lovers' Bridge and the back beach—they're equally stunning.

[Link: Best Hong Kong day trips from the city center]

Double Moon Bay: The Perfect Encounter of Seafood and Seascapes

If Shek O Village is a serene fairy tale, then Double Moon Bay (Shuangyue Bay) is a vibrant feast. Located in Pingshan Town, Huidong County, Double Moon Bay consists of two crescent-shaped bays—the left bay is as calm as a mirror, while the right bay is rough with crashing waves. Stretching for 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) of continuous coastline, the sand is fine and white, and the water is crystal clear. Even 200 meters (650 feet) offshore, you can still stand on the seabed—a truly remarkable feature.

Timing Is Everything: See Double Moon Bay at Its Best

Opinions about Double Moon Bay are sharply divided. Some find it breathtakingly beautiful, while others think it's just so-so. The key lies in timing and choice. On weekends and public holidays, the place is packed, and traffic jams on the mountain roads can drive you crazy. But if you can avoid the peak times and visit on a weekday, you'll discover an entirely different Double Moon Bay—empty beaches, tranquil mornings, and warm, golden sunsets.

Accommodation in Double Moon Bay: From High-End to Unique

Double Moon Bay offers a wide range of accommodation options, mainly divided between the West Bay and the East Bay.

• West Bay (Vanke Double Moon Bay): ★★★★ Recommended. The beach here is extremely long, with a lively tourist atmosphere and plenty of beach activities. It's ideal for those who enjoy a bustling environment and want to experience water sports. However, the water is a bit far from the shore, and swimming in the sea here is not recommended.

• East Bay (Honghai Bay, Xianghai 1777, Tanyue Haosheng, BOX HOTEL Container Hotel): ★★★★ Recommended. The sea on the East Bay side is more turbulent, but the hotels are very close to the water, and most feature trendy infinity pools. If the weather cooperates, watching the sunrise from your balcony in the morning is an absolute treat.

This time, we chose the Tanyue Haosheng Hotel. As the most high-end hotel in Double Moon Bay, its environment is truly impressive. The famous infinity pool, in particular, creates a visual effect where the pool seems to merge with the sea, making you feel like you're inside a painting. A two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment costs around 1,000 RMB (about $140 USD) during the off-season, offering great value for money. However, online reviews tend to oversell it a bit, so don't set your expectations too high.

[Link: Best Huizhou hotels with infinity pools]

The Main Event: Eating Until You're Stuffed with Seafood at Double Moon Bay

No trip to Double Moon Bay is complete without indulging in seafood. Over two days and four meals, we tried just about every kind of seafood available. The white eel was packed with collagen, and the flower snails were my personal favorite—I ordered them every meal. Oysters and tiger prawns were also very fresh, though most seafood stalls in Huizhou serve steamed oysters with garlic (蒜蓉蒸生蚝), rather than grilled ones, which was a slight disappointment.

Here are a few well-reviewed seafood restaurants in Double Moon Bay worth trying:

• Charming Double Moon Restaurant (魅力四射双月饭店): Located near Vanke West Bay, it offers a wide variety of dishes with classic flavors. A long-standing local favorite.
• Qiansha Beach Food Stalls / Yuhai Seafood House (浅澳沙滩大排档/愉海海鲜坊): Situated next to Dasha Beach, you can enjoy seafood while taking in the ocean view.
• Port Seafood Street (港口海鲜一条街): Lined with various small seafood restaurants, offering a diverse selection—whatever you're craving, you'll find it here.
• Dasha Beach Fishermen's Home-Cooked Meals (大澳海边渔民住家饭): Requires advance booking, as ingredients are purchased based on reservations. Generous portions and fresh flavors.
• Hai Baina / Haibin Guan (海百纳/海滨馆): One of the few places where you can enjoy dim sum for breakfast.

[Link: Best seafood spots in Huizhou]

FAQ: Your Questions About Shek O Village and Double Moon Bay Answered

1. Is Shek O Village worth visiting?

Absolutely. Shek O Village offers a unique escape from Hong Kong's urban hustle. Its colorful streets, film locations from The King of Comedy, and peaceful beaches make it a perfect day trip for photographers, movie fans, and anyone seeking tranquility.

2. How long should I spend at Double Moon Bay?

We recommend at least two days and one night. This allows you to explore both the West Bay and East Bay, enjoy sunrise and sunset views, and fully indulge in the local seafood scene without feeling rushed.

3. What is the best time to visit Double Moon Bay?

Weekdays are ideal to avoid crowds. The best seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is pleasant and the water is clear. Avoid public holidays and summer weekends if possible.

4. Can I swim at Double Moon Bay?

Swimming is generally not recommended at the West Bay due to strong currents and water quality concerns. The East Bay has more turbulent waves, but some designated areas are safer. Always check local advisories before swimming.

5. How do I get to Shek O Village from Hong Kong city center?

Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station, exit at A3, then board bus route 9 directly to Shek O Village. The journey takes about 40 minutes and offers scenic mountain views along the way.

Conclusion: Live Like a Traveler, Even If It's Just a Brief Escape

Both Shek O Village and Double Moon Bay remind us that travel doesn't always require a passport or a long-haul flight. Sometimes, the most memorable adventures are found close to home—in a colorful fishing village where time slows down, or by a crescent-shaped bay where the sea meets the sky.

So go ahead. Book that weekend trip. Explore the streets of Shek O. Feast on seafood at Double Moon Bay. Rediscover life's colors, one step at a time.

Ready to plan your escape? [Link: Book your Shek O Village day tour] or [Link: Find the best Double Moon Bay hotel deals] today. Your next adventure is closer than you think.