New Territories
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The New Territories, thus named when acquired in 1898, are Hong Kong's residential hinterland.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By train
Kowloon Canton Railway links up the New Territories with Kowloon.
The East Rail from Tsim Sha Tsui East, connected by a lengthy walkway to MTR Tsim Sha Tsui, connects to Sheung Shui, Fanling, Tai Po and Sha Tin on its way to the border with Shenzhen at Lo Wu. The Ma On Shan rail branches out at Tai Wai and is convenient for heading out to the eastern Sai Kung peninsula.
The sparkling new West Rail from MTR Mei Foo or Nam Cheong is the method of choice if you want to go to Tsuen Wan, Kam Tin, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai or Tuen Mun.
[edit] By bus
Kowloon Motor Bus operates a large number of bus routes to the New Territories. Many routes depart from Kowloon to the New Territories.
- To Tai Po: 72, 72X, 73X, 74A, 74X, 75X, 271, 307(from Central, Hong Kong)
Bus 64K from Tai Po to Yuen Long provides a convenient (if rather slow) shortcut across the Territories, passing by some attractions including the Wishing Tree and the walled village of Kat Hing Wai along the way.
[edit][add listing] See
The main attractions of the New Territories are real Hong Kong life, as opposed to the jetset expat experience of the Island, and the vast (for Hong Kong) parks with their many sport opportunities.
[edit] Museums
- Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Rd, Sha Tin (KCR Sha Tin). One of Hong Kong's best museums, this modern, informative and attractively presented museum houses several permanent exhibitions of life in the New Territories, Cantonese opera, and Chinese art, as well as changing exhibitions of a high caliber. Admission $10, open 10 AM to 6 PM daily except Tuesday and some public holidays.
[edit] Temples
- 10,000 Buddhas Monastery (萬佛寺), off Sheung Wo Che St, Sha Tin (KCR Sha Tin exit B, down the left ramp, left to Pai Tau St, right to Sheung Wo Che St). This rather garish but enjoyable modern temple dating to the 1950s in fact contains no less than 12,800 Buddhas lining the walls of the main hall. There's also a nine-story pagoda and some smaller temples above the main complex. Half the fun is getting there: the 500-meter path climbing up the hill is lined with life-sized golden plastic statues of Buddhas in poses ranging from serene to outrageous. Free admission, but donations welcome.
- Kat Hing Wai, Kam Tin Rd (near KCR Kam Sheung). Of more historical than practical interest, this tiny walled village was one of the first settlements of the Tang clan, who arrived in Hong Kong in the 12th century and have dominated much of the area ever since. The village today, however, has lots of nondescript modern lowrise concrete housing blocks crammed behind a crumbling gray brick wall. $1 donation requested, and the old Hakka women lounging near the sole entrance expect to be paid $10 or so if you take their picture.
- Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree, near Tai Po, [1]. The Wishing Tree is an old tree. Traditionally, it is believed that it will bring good luck and fortune. Nowadays, it is a touristic spot for both Westerners and locals. Simply go to Tai Po Market Railway Station and take green minibus route 25K or bus 64K to get to the Wishing Tree. Alternatively, you are advised to take a green taxi from Tai Wo Railway Station if you have 4 or 5 people travelling together. See
- Man Mo Temple, Tai Po Market. A temple built in the 1890s. It was regarded as a must-see tourist destination in Hong Kong. Get off the train at either Tai Po Market Station or Tai Wo Station and follow the signs to get there on foot.
[edit] Local life
To learn about the living environment of Hong Kong's ordinary people, the best way is to have a half-day trip to a public housing estate. A public housing estate is a small community, where you can find residental flats in high-rise storeys as well as commercial complex and cultural facilities. Start the trip in the morning by "Yum Cha" in a Chinese restaurant or food stall in an estate, then visit the commercial centre and the fresh food market. See the life of school children in the afternoon on the lunch break, and visit the community hall and the library to experience Hong Kong life.
- Wan Tau Tong Estate is a 5-minute walk from Tai Po Market KCR Station.
- Kwong Fuk Estate can be reached by taking the free KCR feeder bus K18 from Tai Po Market KCR Station.
- Cheung Wah Estate can be reached on foot after arriving Fanling KCR Station.
- Choi Yuen Estate is adjacent to Sheung Shui KCR Station.
[edit][add listing] Do
The New Territories offer a wealth of hiking and sports opportunities as well as one very Hong Kongian pastime, horse racing.
[edit] Horse racing
- Sha Tin Racecourse, near Sha Tin (special services to KCR Racecourse on race days), [2]. Participate in the most popular sport in Hong Kong at games held most Saturday afternoons from September to June. Regular stand seats $10, but a Special package available to overseas tourists only allows box access for $50.
[edit] Outdoor sports
- Tai Po Waterfront Park, [[3]. The Tai Po Waterfront Park is the largest park in Tai Po District. The Park provides a wide range of facilities including a 1.2 long promenade, rest-gardens, sitting-out areas, a jogging trail with fitness stations, a cycling track and a 600-seat amphitheatre. There is also a 32.4-metre-high Lookout Tower in the Park. After visiting the tower, visitors may move on to the Insect House nearby. See Selected Routes. Take a green taxi instead of bus if you have 4 or 5 people travelling together from Tai Po Market Railway Station.
- Tai Mei Tuk, [4]. Tai Mei Tuk is famous for the natural view of Pat Sin Leng and Plover Cove Reservoir, the largest reservoir in Hong Kong. You can also make use of the free barbecue site in Tai Mei Tuk and the adjoining country park. Get off from Tai Po Market Railway Station and take bus 75K or green minibus 20C.
- Kam Shan Country Park, [5]. Kam Shan Country Park, also known as Monkey Hill, is famous for the wild monkeys. It is at the north of Kowloon, can can be easily accessed by taking the KMB route 72, 81 or 86B from Kowloon or New Territories. A free barbecue site is available in the country park.
[edit][add listing] Buy
- New Town Plaza in Sha Tin is a huge shopping mall where the locals shop. Selling mid price range goods of all type. Well worth a visit but could be crowded on weekends. Accessible through the KCRC railway, change at Kowloon Tong station if taking the MTR.
- Tai Po Megamall, Tai Po, [6]. A group of shopping malls in the district. It is less crowded than New Town Plaza. Easily accessible by KCR and KMB buses. Take KCR feeder bus K12 from Tai Po Market Railway Station.
- Uptown Plaza next to Tai Po Market Railway Station is a regional shopping centre in Tai Po.
- Tai Wo Shopping Mall next to Tai Wo Station is a typical shopping centre in a public housing estate. Do not expect a variety choice of shops are available, but goods are at reasonable price because the customers are targeted on local people.
[edit][add listing] Eat
Compared with those restaurants in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island, New Territories offers a wider range of local food with cheaper price.
[edit] Budget
In New Territories, there are many places suitable for budget diners with surplus options of cuisine.
- Tai Po Hui Market. [7]. A modern complex of small stalls. The must-try items are fried pork chop noodles and fish ball noodles. Alternatively, you can find Shanghai-style, Cantonese dim-sum and cuisine, as well as Japanese and South-Asian style food with a very low price as low as HK$10 per dish. Tai Po Hui Market cooked food centre is located near Tai Po Market KCR Station.
- Chan Kun Kee in Wo Che Estate, Sha Tin. A typical Dai Pai Dong in Hong Kong providing a variety of Cantonese dishes. Get off at Sha Tin Railway Station and take a taxi to Wo Che Estate.
- Cheung Wah Estate Cooked Food Centre near Fanling KCR Station. It is a cooked food centre in a public housing estate. Dishes start at HK$10 up.
- Pai Tau Restaurant, Pai Tau Rd, Sha Tin. This little eatery in a stretch of old shophouses near KCR Sha Tin offers basic Cantonese fare with lunch sets for around $25. No English menu, but the staff are happy to assist.
- The mall adjacent to the Tsuen Wan MTR station has many little cheap eateries, none of which have disappointed, and the blocks surrounding it have lots of small bakeries. There are worse ways to spend an early morning than wandering around, inhaling the scents of the neighborhood and snacking on wonderfully flavored buns and confections from these establishments.
[edit] Mid-range
- Lung Wah Hotel is famous for roasted pigeons. It is easily accessible by KCR East Rail Sha Tin Station. Walk in the direction of IKEA and along the path next to the railway line for around 10 minutes to get there.
- Sham Tseng Yue Kee Roast Goose Restaurant is famous for roast goose. You can get there by red minibus from Jordan or Tuen Mun, or regular KMB bus.
- ASRA Indian restauant at shop 15&19, 1/fl.shatin galleria,shan mei st.Fotan. This is a famous indian restaurant in shatin,they serves authentic indian kebab & curry.Affordable lunch sets & delicious dinner with free parking.Food delivery also for shatin,tai wai,fotan,city one,tai po & ma on shan.Near by fotan KCRC exit B.Visit Asra's website-- www.asra.com.hk
[edit][add listing] Drink
- Tai Po Market: There is a number of pubs and country clubs along Kwong Fuk Road and the adjacent Luk Heung Lane, Tung Cheong Street. It is about a 5-minute walk from the Tai Po Market KCR Station. Overnight transport is readily available on Kwong Fuk Road to take you back to the downtown of Kowloon and Hong Kong.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Budget
- Bradbury Lodge, [8]. A youth hostel in Tai Po.
- Ascension House, [9]. A hostel run by a Christian group near Shatin.
[edit] Mid Range
- Panda Hotel, Tsuen Wan, [10].
- Royal View Hotel, 353 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, [11]. For stays from a week on, it might be clever to ask for a weekly (~ 3500 HK$ up) or monthly (~7500 HK$ up) packages. (See also [12])
[edit] Splurge
- Regal Riverside, Sha Tin, [13].
[edit] Contact
[edit] Postal service
- Hongkong Post has an extensive network of post offices in New Territories. Some post offices also have a philatelic section and you can purchase Hong Kong stamps and other postal souvenirs there.
[edit] Internet access
- Public libraries provide free access to the Internet. There is at least one library in every district.
- Community Halls also provide cyber stations to users free of charge.
[edit] Get out
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