Cheung Po Tsai Cave (Chinese: 張保仔洞) is a natural cave where the famous Guangdong pirate Cheung Po Tsai (Chinese: 張保仔), according to legend, kept his treasures. It is located on Hong Kong's outlying island of Cheung Chau and is a popular attraction there. No treasures have been found in the cave.[1]
| Cheung Po Tsai Cave | |
|---|---|
| 張保仔洞 | |
 Photo of Cheung Po Tsai Cave | |
  Location of Cheung Chau's Cheung Po Tsai Cave | |
| Location | Cheung Chau, Hong Kong |
| Coordinates | 22°12′01.1″N 114°01′03.0″E / 22.200306°N 114.017500°E |
| Depth | 10 metres |
| Length | about 90 metres |
| Entrances | 1 |
| Hazards | slippery surface due to rain and wind |
| Lighting | none |
| Cheung Po Tsai Cave | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 張保仔洞 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 张保仔洞 | ||||||||||||
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Origin
editThe cave is named after Cheung Po Tsai, a legendary Chinese pirate during the Qing Dynasty[1] who controlled the seas around the Pearl River Delta and served as a de facto government to most coastal communities in the area.[2] According to legend, during the Battle of the Tiger's Mouth, Cheung was said to have used the cave as refuge and for hiding his treasures.[1][3]
Description
editTo enter the cave, visitors climb down a ladder one by one, going 10 metres deep underground into a path that extends about 90 metres before reaching an exit. The trail is narrow and the walls are slippery, so visitors must move in a single file line. A strong flashlight is recommended as little sunlight penetrates into the cave. Bats and mosquitoes are found inside the cave due to the dark and damp environment inside. Despite these conditions, no serious accidents have been reported at the site as of 2018.[1]
In recent years,[when?] steel ladders have been added to facilitate visitors' access in and out of the cave.[citation needed] In April 2012, a large number of stone fell and narrowed the cave entrance.[4][5]
In popular culture
edit- The Amazing Race 17 visited this cave during the season's tenth episode.[6]
Other Cheung Po Tsai Caves
editLamma Island Cheung Po Tsai Cave is located on Lamma Island, Hong Kong. It was presumed to be destroyed in 1979 when the Lamma Power Station was built near the site. The cave was much larger than the Cheung Chau one, at 9 storeys deep. However, decades of weathering has revealed an entrance to the cave, making it partly accessible again.[1]
In addition, there are also Cheung Po Tsai Caves in Tap Mun, Sai Wan, Chung Hom Kok, Chek Chau, Siu Kau Yi Chau, and Longxue Island, Guangzhou.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Davis, Hana (21 July 2018). "Hong Kong's Jack Sparrow: a pirate legend behind Cheung Po Tsai cave on Cheung Chau Island". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
- ^ Heaver, Stuart (10 May 2017). "What Johnny Depp, Chow Yun-fat and a Hong Kong pirate legend have in common". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ Raybaud, Sebastien (10 May 2017). "Pirates ahoy! Hong Kong Maritime Museum unveils the Pirates of the South China Sea". SCMP Youth Post. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ "張保仔洞日久失修塌石". Oriental Daily News. 11 May 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ 馮詩媚; 黃偉民; 翁鈺輝 (14 April 2012). "塌石堵張保仔洞 長洲名勝 遊人掃興". Apple Daily. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ Jensen, Jeff (29 November 2010). "The Amazing Race recap: Hurling Nemo". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
Further reading
edit- Davis, Hana (21 July 2018). "Hong Kong's Jack Sparrow: a pirate legend behind Cheung Po Tsai cave on Cheung Chau Island". South China Morning Post.