New Territories Attractions and Landmarks

The Hong Kong New Territories cover 796 sq km (306 sq miles) between Kowloon and Mainland China, and are a contrast of hilly woodlands, wildlife reserves, sandy bays, new towns and lively markets. The New Territories is a step back in time with its splendid beaches, coastal hiking trails, farmland, monasteries, temples, heritage monuments and deep sense of history.

Ma Wan Park Noah's Ark

The world's only full-sized replica of Noah's Ark at Ma Wan Park is a must-see attraction in Hong Kong for international and local tourists. The distinctive Ark on the Ma Wan waterfront overlooks the Rambler Channel and Tsing Ma Bridge. The attraction also has wholesome activities and shows the unique culture and history of Ma Wan making it a wonderful destination for tourists and families.

City Art Square, Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza

The City Art Square is located at the Sha Tin Town Hall Plaza. With the aim of improving the public environment, developing art and culture, and promoting the Beijing Olympic Games, world-class art displays were unveiled in City Art Square. These displays include original and unique sculptures and public art installations designed and created by 19 world-renowned artists and designers from Hong Kong, the mainland and overseas.

Sha Tin Racecourse

Opened in 1978, Sha Tin Racecourse has a capacity of about 83,000 spectators. It features the longest Diamond Vision screen measuring 70.4 metres wide by 8 metres high, equivalent to 4,500 52-cm television sets. For the thrill of a lifetime, join a Come Horseracing Tour during the annual September to June / early July racing season. Catch all the fast-paced action and drama as the horses round the bend and thunder down the home stretch as a grandstand full of cheering fans urge their favourite mount across the finish line at the Sha Tin racecourse.

Ching Chung Koon Taoist Temple

Ching Chung Koon was originally opened as a rural retreat in 1961 and features pavilions, lotus ponds and bonsai trees. The ground's Taoist temple contains many treasures, including lanterns from Beijing's Imperial Palace. The main building is the Palace of Pure Brightness and dotted around the exquisitely designed grounds are pagodas, pavilions, pai-laus (ornamental archways), quadrangles, towers, Chinese gardens and fish ponds, all complemented by trees, shrubs, flowers and potted plants. There are many splendid bonsai trees, the perfectly shaped miniature trees. Located in the heart of Tuen Mun's crowded residential high-rise blocks, 'Ching Chung' means Evergreen Pine Tree in Chinese while 'Koon' signifies a Taoist temple.

Ping Shan Heritage Trail

This kilometre-long trail meanders through three villages and contains some of the most significant historical buildings in Yuen Long District in the New Territories. The trail provides an insight into the very foundation of Hong Kong life hundreds and hundreds of years ago when hard-working peasants worked their small farm holdings. This is also the home of the Tang clan - one of the five great clans that established themselves in the New Territories many hundreds of years ago. Topping off the list of attractions along the trail is Hong Kong's only ancient pagoda, the Tsui Shing Lau, which is believed to date back more than 600 years.

Kat Hing Wai Walled Village

Just outside the town of Yuen Long, Kat Hing Wai Walled Village is a rectangular-shaped village built about 500 years ago during the Ming dynasty. Constructed mostly with blue brick walls, the village is still inhabited by the descendants of the Tang clan, one of the five big clans to settle in the New Territories. The villagers who are mainly Hakka people still wear wide-brimmed hats covered with black cloth. They originally built walls around their villages to keep out rival clans and marauding bands of pirates. Thus the village has a fascinating history and a tour around is a great glimpse into the intriguing past of these settlers. While some of the old houses have been replaced with more modern dwellings, this walled village features guardhouse towers and a moat.

Mai Po Wetlands

The Mai Po Wetlands, which include the marshes and the mudflats of Inner Deep Bay, have been listed as a Ramsar wetland since September 1995 and have a total area of about 1,500 hectares. The Hong Kong Government declared Mai Po a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" in 1976 under the management of the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong (WWFHK) who currently manages the 380-hectare Mai Po Nature Reserve. Bird lovers and people who enjoy walking the great outdoors should head for the Mai Po marshes in the north-western New Territories, the resting and feeding place for more than 300 species of migrating birds.

Tai Fu Tai Mandarin Residence

Step back into the 19th century as you enter Tai Fu Tai, the opulent residence built by a scholar who was bestowed the title of Tai Fu (Mandarin) by the Qing Emperor. Lavish plaster mouldings and auspicious Chinese woodcarvings adorn its regal interior. Architecture lovers can find similar exquisite décor inside the Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall, built in honour of the Tang clan's founding ancestor. The residence was built in 1865 by a senior Man clan member, who achieved the highest grade in the Imperial Chinese civil service examinations. A cultural gem, this is one of the most beautifully decorated buildings in the New Territories.

Tsing Ma Bridge

The magnificent Tsing Ma Bridge, the world's longest span suspension bridge carrying both road and rail traffic, is the key connection between Hong Kong and its international airport on Lantau Island. The bridge is 2.2 kilometres long, with the main span measuring 1,377 metres. The towers supporting the bridge are 206 metres high with a clearance of 62 metres. Approximately 49,000 tonnes of structural steel was used in the construction of the bridge, which cost HK$7.14 billion to build. Opened mid-1997, this engineering marvel is now Hong Kong's proud new landmark, massively imposing by day, and a twinkling network of lights by night. The Lantau Link View Point and Visitors Centre north of the bridge on Tsing Yi provide excellent views of this and two adjoining bridges.

Fung Ying Seen Koon Taoist Temple

Fung Ying Seen Koon is a superb example of Taoist design and craftsmanship. Its massive orange-tiled double roof, built to traditional design and supported by stout red pillars of stone, immediately catches the eye, almost beckoning the visitor to step up to its entrance and inspect the many examples of artistic craftsmanship to be found within its grounds. The magnificent main hall of the Koon (Temple) stands amidst numerous pavilions and towers, all combining to present an enchanting picture-postcard scene from the China of yesteryear. Other features include a large pavilion in the garden, where vibrant flowerbeds and miniature bridges add a further magical touch to the scene.

Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail

Covering an area known locally as the "Mountain of the Leaping Dragon", the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail takes walkers through 11-century-old villages (called tsuen in Chinese), five of them enclosed or walled (called wai) to keep out bandits or marauders. Most are connected with the Tang clan, one of the historic Five Great Clans of the New Territories. Many of the buildings, such as the Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall, the Tin Hau Kung (a temple devoted to the worship of the deity Tin Hau – Goddess of the Sea) and Shek Lo (a two-storey private residence built in 1925 blending Chinese and Western architectural styles), together with the walls and entrance gates and even the residences in some of the walled villages (such as Lo Wai), have remained unchanged for centuries, and are excellent examples of historical and social developments in the area over the past centuries.

Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees and Tin Hau Temple

This place is popular with locals who come to worship, hoping their wishes come true. During Chinese New Year, many Hong Kong people make a pilgrimage to this spot to make their Chinese New Year wishes by tying wish-making papers onto the wooden racks beside the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees. The nearby Tin Hau Temple was built around the time of Emperor Qian Long of the Qing dynasty (1736 - 1795) and is the largest temple of its kind in Tai Po. The temple's main hall is dedicated to Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, while on either side of the main hall stand, respectively, Man Mo Hall, dedicated to both the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo) and the Temple for Justice, built in honour of 12 noble-hearted men who protected the Lam Tsuen villages in the past.

Sai Kung Town

As well as being the gateway to the country parks and over 70 offshore islands, Sai Kung Town is also a great place fro eating out. Alfresco seafood restaurants line the waterfront where you can choose your dinner from one of the big glass tanks. The far-flung group of villagers known as Leung Shuen Wan is located on High Island, which has been joined to the mainland since the construction of the giant High Island Reservior. Sha Kui Tau has seafood restaurants and a Tin Hau Temple, while Pak Lap Wan is quiet pine-backed beach with rooms for rent.

Clearwater Bay

Clearwater Bay is a bay on the east shore of Hong Kong located within Clearwater Bay Country Park. Located in the New Territories Clearwater Bay HK is a great escape from the city life. Surrounded by rough rocks and wild scenery the area is popular among tourists and locals alike.

Hong Kong Wetland Park

Other New Territories Attractions

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, situated in the hills above Sha Tin, in fact houses around 13,000 small Buddha statues, and is well worth visiting.

Many historical and interesting sights are scattered among the Hong Kong New Territories. A beautifully designed complex, located in Tuen Mun, features pavilions, bonsai trees, lotus ponds and a Taoist temple that contains lanterns from Beijing's Imperial Palace.

The Waterfront Park in Tai Po has a futuristic Lookout Tower that provides breathtaking views across Tolo Harbour.

The wooded hill above Tai Po Market MTR (formerly KCR) station is crowded by some of the town's surviving colonial-era buildings. Near the Railway Museum, an attractive Man Mo temple is jammed between shops on Fu Shin Street.

Island House stands on what was originally an islet in the Lam Tsuen River's estuary. Built in 1905, it served for many years as the residence of the District Officer and is now a conservation study centre run by WWF Hong Kong. Cycle paths run southeast and northeast from here, along the shores of Tolo Harbour.

Sheung Wun Yiu village outside Tai Po has a Fan Sin Kung temple which was built in 1790. it is dedicated to the patron god potters, the village was once noted for the porcelain produced here. The nature reserve at Tai Po Kau is the oldest in the territory. It has mature trees and several nature trails. You may even catch a glimpse of a wild macaque.

Another celebrated ancestral hall is the Liu Man Shek tong on the northern edge of Sheung Shui. Built in 1751, it belongs to Liu clan and has attractive wood carvings.

East towards the sea, the Pat Sin Leng mountain range is a challenging but spectacular hike. Below it, beside the dam of the Plover Cove Reservior, Tai Mei Tuk is a favourite place for barbecues. The beauty spot of the Bride's Pool is a little further up the road. Villages past here are accessible only on foot; the trek out Lai Chi Wo is long but recommended.

The Area

The northern part of New Territories butts onto the border with China since it was open in 1979, it becomes one of the world's busiest crossing points.

Tai Po, Fanling and Sheung Shui are the three old market settlements in the area, it is been developed into large satellite towns, and each is a stop on the MTR (formerly KCR) which runs between Kowloon and Lo Wu. You'll pass through them if you make a shopping trip at Shenzhen. The area has been settled for centuries and there are many historic villages. There are crossings into China at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Lo Wu. Most travelers will use the latter.

Housing in the Hong Kong New Territories

The new towns contain high-rise housing but the villages offer life on a more human scale, even if their surroundings are not necessarily rural. Hong Lok Yuen is a low-rise 'expat enclave' which could be a slice of suburbia anywhere in the western world.

Hong Kong New Territories Shopping

Shops in the northern New Territories have suffered in recent years as many Hongkongers prefer to take their retail therapy over the border in Shenzhen.

 

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