Cheung Po Tsai Cave

Useful Information

Location:	On Cheun Chau Island, at the western peninsula, well signposted.
Open:	no restrictions. [2008]
Fee:	free. [2008]
Classification:
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Cheung Po Tsai Cave.
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History

Description

Cheung Po Tsai Cave is named after Cheung Po Tsai, who was an infamous pirate. The most famous legend connected with him tells about his treasure which is hidden in Cheung Po Tsai Cave.

Cheung Po Tsai was a 19th century Chinese pirate, the name translates Cheung Po the Kid. He was also known as Chang Pao Tsai, Cheung Po, Chang Pao and Zhang Bao. He was the son of a poor fisherman, who was kidnapped at the age of 15 by Cheng Yat, a pirate who operated along the Chinese coast. Cheung Po Tsai soon became his favorite subordinate, rose through ranks, and was adopted by Cheng Yat and his wife Ching Shih. He enjoyed the pirate life, was charismatic and ambitious. After Cheng Yat died in a storm, and his widow Ching Shih took over. Cheung became her right-hand man, had a love affair with her and finally married here. Finally he took over the fleet from her.

He became a famous pirate leader as his pirates were well disciplined and not allowed to injure or kill women. The booty was shared equally, which made him popular among his men. At the height of his power, his fleet counted several hundred ships and some 20,000 men. But in 1810 his army was defeated by the Qing Dynasty and he finally surrendered. He became captain in the Qing imperial navy and was responsible for eradicating piracy.