Hei Ling Chau, formerly Hayling Chau, is an island of Hong Kong, located east of Silver Mine Bay and Chi Ma Wan of Lantau Island. It is administratively part of the Islands District.GeographyHei Ling Chau is located south of Peng Chau and north of Cheung Chau. Its companion, Sunshine Island, is at its northeast. It has an area of 1.93 km², and the highest hill heighted 187m. The island is L-shaped with angle pointed northeast. Southwest water of the island is zoned as Hei Ling Chau Typhoon Shelter.HistoryThe island was originally named Nai Gu Island . It was settled at the end of the 19th century, and by 1951, there were 10 families numbering about 100 people on the island. It was designated as a leper colony in 1950 and the islanders were relocated to Tai Pak, Shap Long and Cheung Chau. The island was then renamed to Hei Ling Chau. At one time in the early 1960s, the leprous hospital reached a maximum of 540 patients. The colony was closed down in 1974, and remaining patients were relocated to the new Lai Chi Kok Hospital. The island was subsequently taken over by the Correctional Services Department.