Hong Kong is visited by millions of travelers each year, but while most of them opt for places like "Victoria Peak", "Tsim sha Tsui Waterfront" and "Ladies' Market", very few visitors know about the New Territories, a relatively vast area of nature scenes, old-style villages, traditions and culture.
This article will introduce you to the New Territories: The largest area in Hong Kong.
The name "New Territories" came about in 1898, when Britain leased the area north of the Kowloon Peninsula (including some islands) from Imperial China for 99 years, in order to enlarge the tiny colony of Hong Kong and make it more "defendable"...
The New Territories (or N.T as they are often abbreviated), stretch from the Kowloon Peninsula in the south, all the way to Sham Chun River in the north (Which is the border with the Republic of China) and can roughly be divided to three geographical sections, namely: The Western New Territories, The Central & Northern New Territories, and the Eastern New Territories, including Sai Kung Peninsula.
The Western New Territories can be accessed via Tsuen Wan, a once small fishermen village that has become a modern town. The main tourist attractions in this part of the territories include:
Sam Tung Uk, in Tsuen Wan, is an old walled village that was restored and became a museum.
Chuk Lam Shim Yuen ("Bamboo Forest Monastery"), on the hill above Tsuen Wan town, is famous for its "Precious Buddha" statues.
Yuen Yuen Institute, not far from Tsuen Wan, is the only temple in Hong Kong that is dedicated to the three main Chinese faiths: Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
Tai Mo Shan ("Big foggy mountain") is the highest mountain in Hong Kong. Rising to almost 1,000 m above sea level, it is part of a country park, with very nice nature trails and observation points.
Kat Hing Wai is a 17th century walled village that still retains its old times spirit.
Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve is an ornithologist paradise. Occupying a relatively vast area of wetland around Inner Deep Bay, near the border with China, it is one of the most popular stopovers for migratory birds, on their way from North Asia to Australia.
Hong Kong Wetland Park is located on the edge of the Mai Po Marshes and is very well organized and accessible (unlike the nature reserve itself). It boasts a very impressive visitor's centre, where you can learn about marshlands and swamps.
Ping Shan Heritage Trail, near Yuen Long town, is an easy-to-walk trail that passes through a cluster of walled villages, old temples and other heritage buildings.
Miu Fat Monastery, near Lam Tei Station, is a fairly beautiful Buddhist temple and a centre for the studies of Buddhism... It is well known for its rich and lavish ornaments.
Ching Chung Koon is one of the most beautiful Taoist temples in Hong Kong, and can be found in the village of Ching Chung
Tuen Mun Town, at the westernmost end of the territories, is usually where the journey ends (or begins...)
A trip to the Central and Northern New Territories will normally start from the City of Sha Tin - The undeclared capital of the New Territories, where you can visit Hong Kong Heritage Museum: The largest museum in HK and a great place to capture the rich history and culture of the region.
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, also in Sha Tin, is a "must visit" but there are quite a few steps to climb...
Tsang Tai Uk, on the outskirts of Sha Tin, is one of only a few traditional Hakka walled villages that still exist.
The Art Museum at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, north of Sha Tin town, showcases the art of China during the years, and boasts thousands of priceless exhibits like paintings, calligraphy, epigraphy & rubbings, ceramics, bronze ware, jade ware, lacquer ware, ivories and what not...
The Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees, not far from Tai Po Market, are two old banyan trees that are reputed for making wishes come true...
Plover Cove Country Park, one of Hong Kong's finest nature reserves, occupies an area of almost 5,000 hectares northeast of Tai Po Market town, around the shores of the large freshwater reservoir after which it is named... The seaside village of Tai Mei Tuk, where you can hire a boat, and "Bride's pool waterfall", deep inside the country park, are the area's most prominent attractions.
Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail is Hong Kong's second "heritage trail" and just like the one at Ping Shan, it also features a relatively easy walk between heritage buildings, old temples, ancestral halls, traditional villages and so on...
Sai Kung Peninsula, on the easternmost part of the New Territories, is Hong Kong's largest green lung, and boasts some lovely nature reserves (or country parks, as they are called locally), as well as picturesque beaches, island dotted bays and, of course, the fishermen town of Sai Kung, where you can seat 'alfresco' by the waterfront and indulge on a great seafood meal...
The islands of Port Shelter Bay are fantastic and can be accessed with a "Kaito" (taxi boat) from Sai Kung Town
"Sai Kung East Country Park" and "Sai Kung West Country Park", cover most of the peninsula, with a total area of about 7,500 hectares, and boast some fantastic walking trails. Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay), on the east side of the park, is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong, but getting there is a bit of a problem (to say the least).
In the northern section of the country parks, there are two fantastic spots you might want to know about: The first is "Wong Shek", where there is a lovely Water Sports Centre, and the second is "Hoi Ha Village", on the shores of Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park.
One last thing before signing off on this article: Obviously, the New Territories have a lot to offer to the visitor, and a relatively short article like this one can only give you "a taste" of what is there to see and do...
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