Mui Wo House Villa For Rent : SilvermineBay Beach, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. 梅窩,銀鑛灣,大嶼山,香港Mui Wo House Villa For Rent : Silvermine Bay Beach, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. (updated 20 Nov, 2014)

All the pictures were taken on site.






En-suite bedroom, and also with a stand-alone full sea-view bath tub and floor-mounted faucet. The front portion is the full sea-view solarium. You can stay in your bed and enjoy watching the ferries, fishing and leisure boats passing by. The scene is especially enchanting at night time with the star-studded city lights and the moving lights from the ferries while in motion.

Sliding glass doors enclosed solarium with full ocean and town view. This solarium is built above the ever flowing stream inside the property. In the rainy season, the sound of  the water running down under the solarium is like music from heaven.

Can you spot the tiny hummingbird. She is in the middle of the picture flipping her wings sucking the nectar from the papaya flower. Set to full screen you should be able to see her long beak.

Bird in flight. Courtship behavior to attract female for mating.

The Town:

Mui Wo is on the south east side of the Lantau Island. Lantau Island is an outlying island on the west side of the Hong Kong Island. The town of Mui Wo is only about 25 to 30 minutes by ferry to Central, downtown Hong Kong. It is the only island in Hong Kong that is also connected by bus, car, taxi and MTR (subway) to other parts of the New Territories, Kowloon and Hong Kong.

Mui Wo is called one of the last quiet and peaceful rural towns in Hong Kong.  In Chinese it may be called a 'clean earth' town. This town is surrounded by a number of scenic trails. Its population is about 5,000. While other outlying islands have city atmosphere, Mui Wo still maintains its true rural beauty. Though this rural town enjoys its tranquil and laid-back style, yet it is only about 30 minutes by ferry to Hong Kong Central and about 35 minutes by bus to the Tung Chung MTR station. By car it takes about 15 minutes to the city of Tung Chung. The most common form of local transportation is by bicycles. Anyone would understand this is a bicycle town by the seas of bicycles parked around the ferry piers. There are 2 super markets,  'Park and Shop' and 'Wellcome' right inside the Mui Wo town center. The town center is quite compact. Thus everything is within walking distance: the banks, ferry piers, bus terminals, international and Chinese restaurants, Mcdonalds, 7-11, cafes, pubs, beauty salon, hardware store, bookstore, building material stores, real estate offices, western furniture stores, Chinese antique furniture stores, stationery store, appliances store, floral shop, frozen meat store, moving company, laundry services and key duplicating store, bike shops, an evening private doctor's office.....

About 7 minutes from town center and connected by a foot bridge is the old town where the Government buildings and the Silvermine Bay beach are located. Clinic, Post office, library, wet market, hotels, a morning private doctor's office (closed at noon) and a community center can be found. There is a sparsely used public swimming pool inside the community center. It is sparsely used partly due to the SilverMine Bay Beach is just right across the old town. The indoor local wet market sells fresh and wild sea produces, fresh and frozen meat, fruits, flower and vegetables. Early morning, near the library, there is also an open market where locals sell their home grown vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruits. Mui Wo is a permit restricted town. Outside cars are not allowed into the town, unless you are a resident or store owner with possession of a special permit. After 8 or 9 at night, other than the pubs, there are very little people traffic on the streets. Most of the locals and residents possibly stay home and enjoy their family life.  If you are looking for night life and excitement, definitely you have come to the wrong place. Some even go as far and call this a dead town. However if you are looking for quiet, tranquil and peaceful rural life, then you have found your paradise. You may even wish to keep this town as 'dead' as possible and as long as possible.


Location of the property:

This unique and picturesque property is perched mid-level above the ocean past the Mui Wo Silvermine Bay Beach. It is back onto the mountain and facing south. Due to the location, contour and the spread of the property, one can appreciate the daily beautiful sunrise and sunset. From the west side of the property, downtown Mui Wo, the ferry pier and the Silvermine Bay Beach constitute a wonderful view. At dusk with the city lights, you can enjoy a completely different pretty picture of the star-studded town. From the east side of the property, the open ocean view is quite awesome. You can watch the ferries, fishing and leisure boats sail quietly across the sea. The first thing you hear in the morning and around dusk are the sounds of the birds. As well in the evening, depending on the seasons, you can hear the crickets, frogs, cicadas respond to each others singing - nature's orchestra. In the summer months different kinds of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and insects fly around the area. There is an ever-flowing brook cutting through the property. The water is clean, clear and un-polluted. After filtering, the water can be used for cooking and drinking. Ginger plants scatter along this brook. The ginger flowers when in full bloom fill the air with such a sweet fragrance. The lower part of the brook is stocked with gold fishes and with taro plants, lotus and watercress being planted. It may due to the fact that this property is facing south, mid level above the ocean and back onto the mountain, it has its own micro climate. When  Hong Kong is experiencing a cold front, surprisingly around this property, the weather is much milder. In the summer, the sea breezes provide some relief to the hot and humid days. The houses are simple but comfortable and provide a real flavour of enchanting Greek whitewashed village cottages. However the main attractions of this property are not only about the houses but also the sea view, natural scenery, fresh air, tranquility and the openness. The property area is about 27,800 square feet.

Houses:
This property consists of 4 buildings. Two of the buildings are for dwelling with a total area of 1,200 sq. ft. The other 2 are for other purposes. All 4 buildings are facing south with unobstructed full ocean views.

- The main house is an open one bedroom and with a 4-piece en-suite bathroom. There is also a stand-alone bath tub with floor-mounted faucet facing the ocean. There is a glass and screen doors enclosed solarium/dinning room in front of the house. This solarium has an unobstructed breath-taking south ocean view. The kitchen and sitting areas are open concept. All rooms are with ocean view including the toilet if you leave the washroom door open. The ceiling is with insulation provides sound and heat proof. It is basic but Eco-friendly and with all the amenities: split system air conditioners, fridge, hot water heater, ceiling fan and electric cook top. The reception of the 4 free TV channels is of high quality. You may even find the reception is better than some places right inside Kowloon. Internet is through usb fingers wireless connection. Mobile phone quality is good. Inside the house, the floor, the kitchen and washroom counters are of cement, the most basic form of eco-friendly material. The bath tub is hand-crafted in cement by a skillful craftsman.

-The second house is a one-bedroom with a 5-piece en-suite bathroom, a kitchen, dinning and sitting areas. All rooms again are with full sea view. It is equipped with the similar amenities as the main house.

- The third and fourth buildings are for storage and is reserved and used by the owner for storing personal goods.


Orchard:
This property is also a mini orchard. There are more than 15 varieties of fruit trees growing inside the property, namely: orange, lemon, papaya, banana, guava, star fruit, yellow skin (wong pei), jack fruit, pomelo, lai chi, dragon eye, mulberry, poi tai, mango, peach, tangerine and dragon fruit (fire dragon fruit). They are all pure organic, no chemical fertilizer and no pesticide of any kind. The soil is always free from any chemical. Irrigation water is either from the ever flowing stream inside the property or from the rain or tap. Almost all the fruit trees have been there for years before the era of DNA modification.

Hobby farm:
There are several fair size parcels of land ready for re-cultivation. You can operate your own hobby organic vegetable farm and organic herbal garden. There are very limited places in Mui Wo or Hong Kong that can offer you a full sea view while you are enjoying your gardening and farming in total privacy.

Rock garden:
There is a simple full ocean view rock garden sitting area with a BBQ/oven for your outdoor enjoyment.

Brook:
There are 2 stepped walk paths along both sides of the brook. There is also a small bridge across the brook with a small bench. With the full view of the ocean afar or the flowing water right under the bench and with its soothing sound, you can enjoy reading your favourite novels or simply perform your meditation in this zen like environment.

Outdoor shower units:
There are 2 outdoor shower units. You can enjoy the ocean and city views while taking your shower. One of the huge outdoor showers has a breathtaking wide open ocean view. In the summer months, occasionally butterflies and birds may fly around while you are taking your shower.

Secluded beach:
5 to 7 minutes walk from this property, there is a deserted beach. Most of the time, you can have this beach all to yourself. At the far end of the beach there is a fishing spot where grouper and jack fish can be caught. As well you can enjoy a leisure beach walk or watch the sunset or collect seashells or swim. If you are adventurous, you can even enjoy a simple candle-light dinner under the moon and right on the beach. 

Walking trails:
There are several scenic walking trails starting from either the property or the town of Mui Wo. The following list is just a sample.

1. Secluded beach - 5 to 7 minutes
2. Man Kok Tsui (tiny village with a beach and a small pier) - 30 minutes
3. various villages around the town of Mui Wo, e.g. Luk Tei Tong, Wang Tong etc are all within 1 hour by foot
4. Discovery Bay via Trappist Monastery - 1.5 to 2 hours
5. Pui o - 2 to 3 hours
6. Town of Tung Chung - 3 to 3.5 hours

Ferry services from Mui Wo:
Unfortunately close to midnight, other than driving your own car, taxi is the only means of transportation.

1. Central, downtown Hong Kong - 25/30 minutes by fast ferry, 45/50 minutes by regular ferry
2. Discovery Bay - 30 minutes by small ferry called kaido
3. Cheung Chau (Island), Peng Chau (island) and Chi Ma Wan - up to 45 minutes by regular ferry

Bus Services from Mui Wo:
Mui Wo may be the only outlying island that is connected to other parts of the city by bus, car and taxi (other than by ferry). Again close to midnight, other than driving your own car, taxi is the only means of transportation.

1. Direct Airport bus - runs only about 4 times each way each day
2. Bus to Tung Chung MTR (also called subway or tube or underground): from Tung Chung one can go almost anywhere via bus, subway or taxi connection. From Tung Chung, Hong Kong International Airport is only a 30 minutes bus ride (about HK $ 4). The Ngong Ping 360 cable car terminal is right next to the Tung Chung MTR and the bus terminal.
3. Bus to Ngong Ping (the Big Buddha or Po Lin Monastery)
4. Bus to Tai O, Venice of the East
5. Bus to Tong Fuk where the Cheung Sa (Long Sand) Beach is located

Security:
Surveillance cameras are installed at the entrance gate, outside and inside the main and the guest houses. This is a very safe place and there has never been any break-ins at all.

Suitable for :
The property is a little isolated and perched on mid level. If you realize that there are several families living further away in the villages of Chok Chai Wan (Baby Bamboo Bay) and Man Kok Tsui, then you may find this place is not that remote anymore. It takes about 35 minutes by foot from Mui Wo ferry piers. The fastest way is to cycle for about 7 minutes from the pier to the foot of the mountain trail, and then 10 to 15 minutes walk to the property. If you love mountain-biking you can bike all the way from the pier. This place is most suitable for active retirees who enjoy nature, scenery, walking and serenity; or if you are work-at-home, or if you want to try out the village life before you materialize your dream of retirement in rural Hong Kong; or you want to have an extended vacation exploring the far east by using rural Hong Kong as your base; or you just want to get away from the madding crowd; or simply look for a quiet, fresh air and unpolluted place to recuperate. You will notice the marked improvement of your overall well being after a few months of staying. It is almost guaranteed that you will have an unforgetable memory. This place is best for 2 adults or a small family..

Rent:
This property is offered for long term rental, 12 months or longer HK  $ 25,000. Tenants pay own utilities - power and water. Tenants also pay half of all maintenance - e.g. appliances, a/c, faucets etc.
Sorry : no smoking and no pets.

UPDATED 20 Nov, 2014

Contact: mailto:muiwogarden@hotmail.com