The New Territories

The New Territories, or more fondly called NT, started in 1898. It progresses from the Hong Kong International Airport with the highest peak Tai Mo Shan overlooking the district.

Getting there.

One can easily get to NT via the Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR) which links it with Kowloon. From Tsim Sha Tsui East, one can take the East Rail which goes to Sheung Shui, Fanling, Tai Po and Sha Tin before reaching Shenzhen (Lo Wu Immigration Checkpoint). On the opposite side, the West Rail will travel from Mei Foo going to Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai or Tuen Mun.

One can also choose to take the bus via the Kowloon Motor Bus operated service coming from Central.

Attractions at New Territories

Much of New Territories attractions circle around its lifestyle instead of landmarks. While other parts of Hong Kong is famous for its upmarket lifestyle and posh hotels, New Territories provide the visitor the platform to view Hong Kong as natural as it is. There really aren’t much landmarks in around New Territories except for the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and some temples.

The lifestyle here can be seen at the Kat Hing Wai Walled Village. This is where one can view how the Hong Kong people live their everyday life. Mushrooms and mushrooms of high rise flats can be found here. From far they looked like little cubicles but are able to house a whole family in there. At around these areas, one can find also the wet markets, hawker centers where the people dwell in everyday.

The Hong Kong Heritage Museum, located in Sha Tin is one of the best place to learn more about this country. Apart from historical relics and pre war memorabilia, one can also find various Chinese arts like opera and calligraphy which cost HKD10 per entry.

One of the most famous temples in Hong Kong is the 10,000 Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin. This temple actually houses more than 12,500 statues that include a nine-story pagoda as well.

At the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree near Tai Po which is well known for people who come here and make wishes. Most of the locals will purchase a small talisman to be thrown as high as possible and subsequently making their wishes.

The Kat Hing Wai is a small village which is known to be one of the earliest Tang Clan’s settlements. Man Mo Temple is a temple built in the 1890s that is intentionally to pay respect to Man Tai the God of Literature, Man Cheong and Kuan Ti the God of War. Opened from 8.00am to 6.00pm everyday, this is also a location that made a few Xbox and Dreamcast games.

For some adventurous activities, one could head out to Tai Po Waterfront Park that provides a whole range of activities for the relaxing seeking tourist. Here one can go through the various trekking trails or just to enjoy the resting chairs around the gardens. The biggest park in this area, there is also a Lookout Tower and a 600 Seater Amphitheatre.

At Monkey Hill otherwise known as Kam Shan Coutry Park, one is able to locate various relaxation spots and barbecue sites for a time out with family and friends. The Tai Mei Tuk provides the visitor with a great scenic view of the Pat Sin Leng and the Plover Cover Reservoir.

As much as Kowloon offers great food at an affordable price, food around New Territories are also offered at a cheaper price like a Tai Po Hui Market which offers their specialty Fish Ball Noodles and Fried Pork Chop Noodles. The Cheung Wah Estate Cooked Food Centre and Chan Kun Kee are also a must try for food lovers around here.

For those seeking more posh restaurants can head out to Lung Wah Hotel and Sham Tseng Yue Kee Roast Goose Restaurant that serves its daily specials and local favourites the roast goose.

Compared to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, New Territories are not so renowned for its shopping attractions. This however cannot be discounted as malls like New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, Tai Po Megamall and Uptown Plaza all offers various products and brands for the shopaholic.

Accomodation in New Territories inlcude the Regal Riverside located in Sha Tin a five star hotel and other more affordable ones like Bradbury Lodge (Tai Po) a YMCA like type of hostel and Ascension House as well.