With old-world charm and seafood restaurants, this laid-back fishing town is the perfect base for exploring the surrounding beaches, islands and hiking trails.
It takes 2 hours to get from downtown Hong Kong to the charming seaside town of Sai Kung, but most locals will tell you that it’s definitely worth the trip. Whether you stay for a day or for the weekend, Sai Kung is a gateway to an area of great natural beauty as well as a top destination in its own right.
Recent development has modernised Sai Kung, bringing modern shops and sports facilities to the town centre. The old town still commands its timeless historic charm, however. The harbour is lined with moored fishing boats that sell the day’s catch directly, and the regular daily activities of a fishing community are still to be seen.
The town lies at the foot of the verdant hills of the Ma On Shan Country Park. Choose a hiking trail and set off into the greenery. Some paths lead to important regional attractions, including a number of serene rural temples. The Hung Shing Temple at Kau Sai Chau is a particularly notable example.
Down at Sai Kung, top off your day of adventuring with a casual, open-air dining experience. A string of local restaurants called “Seafood Street” stretches along the sea’s shore. The speciality is fresh seafood, and if you like it exceedingly fresh, you can choose your dinner live at a restaurant’s tank displays.
Sai Kung’s promenade offers picturesque views of nearby islands, which you can also go and visit. Kau Sai Chau is home to the famous Jockey Club Public Golf Course, which is open to the public and accessible by ferry. More than 70 small islands in the area can be reached and explored in this way, but some ferries run “on demand”, so make plans well in advance and check the schedules online.
The MTR does not travel directly to Sai Kung, but minibuses to the town depart from both the Choi Hung and the Hang Hau MTR stations.
