Lamma Island the original name of the island Pok Liu. The island is shaped like two Y in opposite direction. When the British first came to the island, they used the colloquial pronunciation of Nam Ah, i.e. "Lam Ah (Lamma)" as the name of the island. The Chinese names of East Lamma Channel and West Lamma Channel are still formed from Pok Liu instead of Nam A. Another folk etymology says the name came from a former lamaist monastery on the island.
Lamma Island was named after the shape of the island which looks like the limb of a tree, and Naam meaning "south". Lamma thus means literally "southern Y". The name can also mean "Southern Peninsula Island". Located about half an hour by ferry from bustling downtown Hong Kong, Lamma is an eclectic melting-pot of arty culture and Chinese tradition. Due to its proximity to town, it is one of the most adored weekend getaways. Clean air, golden beaches, delicious seafood and fantastic hiking are the main draws.
The Lamma island is Hong Kong's third largest being about 6km in length and quite narrow being about 2.5kms at its widest point. Apart from a large power station built in 1972 on the western side of the island which supplies energy to Hong Kong Island and a recent solitary wind turbine the island is virtually unspoiled and something of a contrast to its outlying island neighbours Cheung Chau and Peng Chau.
It has a population of around 5,000 of which the vast majority live in the two main villages, Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. Lamma in Chinese means "the southern tree branch" and Lamma Island was originally known as "Bok Liu Chau". The island is very rural with some rugged scenery with granite hills dominated by the 353 metre peak of Mount Stenhouse (Shan Tei Tong) in the south, as well as tiny settlements and quiet beaches.
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