Cheung Po Tsai, a legendary pirate, commanded a fleet of hundreds of ships and thousands of men in the South China Sea during the early 1800s.
The cave is physically small and does not resemble the vast, cavernous hideouts often depicted in pirate fiction.
The site is often referred to locally as 'Zhang Baozai Cave' in Cantonese.
Geologically, the cave was formed as a sea cave through marine erosion before coastal uplift raised it above current sea levels.
The narrow crevices make the interior inaccessible to those with limited mobility or severe claustrophobia.
Cheung Po Tsai Cave is a natural rock formation on Cheung Chau island linked to the 19th-century pirate Cheung Po Tsai, who allegedly used it to store plundered treasure. The cave features a narrow entrance that requires visitors to navigate a steep, dark, and tight passageway. Wooden ladders are installed to assist with the descent into the main cavern. The site is a geological remnant of volcanic tuff found on the island's southwestern coast. Despite persistent local legends, no confirmed pirate treasure has been recovered from the cave. The cave interior is cramped, humid, and requires climbing through confined spaces. It remains a popular point of interest on the Cheung Chau Family Walk trail system.
The entrance area where the transition from daylight to the dark interior creates a sharp visual contrast.
Bring a high-powered flashlight or headlamp, as the interior is pitch black.
Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip, as the rock surfaces are uneven and potentially slippery.
Remove bulky backpacks before attempting to enter the narrow segments of the cave.
Attempting to enter the cave during or immediately after heavy rainfall due to slippery rock surfaces and mud.
Avoid loud noises as the cave acts as an echo chamber; respect the physical space constraints of other visitors.
