Dolphins, duck eggs, and a day off: FLASS RPg students escape to Tai O

Known as the “Venice of the Orient”, Tai O is home to traditional stilt houses built over tidal flats and inhabited by the Tanka people. It is a beloved retreat where locals and tourists alike flock to catch a glimpse of the unofficial icon of Hong Kong, the pinkish‑grey Chinese white dolphins, and to sample delicious local snacks and seafood. It was also the destination for a group of research postgraduate (RPg) students from FLASS, who visited to experience the charm of this storied fishing village, forge new friendships, and take a well-earned rest.

On the morning of 26 March, around 20 RPg students arrived in Tai O, and greeted by the nostalgic, unhurried atmosphere of the village. As they strolled through its alleyways, shops selling dried seafood and shrimp paste, snack vendors, traditional bakeries, and stationery and toy stores offered them a glimpse into a side of Hong Kong rarely seen in the city today. The visit also included a boat trip along the waterways flanked by stilt houses, and into the surrounding waters of Tai O in search of Chinese white dolphins.

During the one-day guided tour, students from the Faculty’s four departments had the opportunity to learn how to make salted duck egg yolks in a hands-on workshop, before sitting down to a hearty seafood lunch. They then continued their afternoon exploring the iconic stilt houses, learning about the fishing community’s distinctive way of life and cultural history. The day concluded with participants browsing for favourite souvenirs, snacks, drinks, and local goods.

As they lingered and savoured the everyday rhythms of village life, students took photos together and chatted not only about their research projects and academic interests, but also their hobbies, favourite foods, films, songs, and more. “The tour helped me expand my network. I got to know more RPg students from other departments,” said Ms Haiqin ZHANG of the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE). Originally from Guizhou Province, Haiqin is one of three newly selected student representatives for the current cohort of research students at FLASS. Her research project focuses on improving the health of older adults with abdominal obesity through dietary and exercise interventions.

Mr Basit Akolade ADIGUN of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES) is another student representative. The PhD student from Nigeria began his doctoral programme in 2024, investigating the effects of emerging pollutants on the environment. He is currently working on a pollution detection project at a long-uncultivated plot of farmland in Shui Hau, where a habitat rehabilitation and restoration initiative is under way. “My research is physically and cognitively demanding, as I need to travel from EdUHK’s Tai Po campus to Shui Hau, Lantau, to collect samples and conduct on-site testing. The Tai O tour gave me a timely break. It offered a relaxing change of scene from the day-to-day routine of fieldwork and laboratory work,” he said.

One participant who found the tour particularly refreshing was Ms Khadeza Yasmin from Bangladesh. After giving birth to her second child towards the end of 2025, Yasmin had been fully occupied with caring for her newborn and elder son, managing household responsibilities, and keeping pace with her research. “This visit came at a crucial time. It offered me a much-needed ‘me time’ for self-reflection and mental rest. Walking through the village helped me gather my thoughts, realign my goals, and refocus on writing for my PhD project,” said the PhD candidate, whose doctoral research investigates the occurrence, mobility, bioavailability, and human health risks of heavy metals in rice‑based agroecosystems in an intensively cultivated region of Narsingdi, Bangladesh.

Professor Daniel Chow Hung-kay, Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Studies) (R&PS), Dr Anthony Suen Chun-kit, Assistant Dean (R&PS), and other members of the Faculty’s administrative support team also joined the tour. Professor Chow expressed his delight that RPg students were actively participating in the range of enrichment and social activities organised throughout the academic year. “Through these activities, we hope to deepen students’ understanding of local history and culture, support their mental wellbeing, and strengthen a sense of connectedness among them,” he said. During the Tai O tour, Professor Chow announced the appointment of Ms Haiqin ZHANG, Mr Basit Akolade ADIGUN, and Ms Lin CHEN as representatives for their cohort.

As the day drew to a close, students, support staff, and faculty members swapped funny anecdotes amid bursts of laughter, and shared the small discoveries and pleasant surprises they had encountered throughout the day. On the journey back to EdUHK, students were still buzzing with the highlights of the trip. “The boat ride towards the HKZM Bridge was so exciting. Making the duck egg yolks, having seafood lunch, and all the other activities made the Tai O trip one of my most beautiful memories of Hong Kong,” Basit said cheerfully.

Students expressed their appreciation to faculty members and support staff for organising the series of enrichment and social activities, including the Tai O tour, noting that these experiences help them relax, connect with one another, and gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s culture. “Outreach activities like the Tai O tour helped me feel more connected and integrated into the academic community at EdUHK. I love learning in such a warm and friendly environment,” Yasmin said.

Readers who would like to learn more about the tour are invited to read Ms Yasmin’s contributing article “Stilt Houses, Seafood, and a Rare Moment to Breathe: A PhD Mum’s Day in Tai O”.