Hong Kong Sai Kung Town

Sai Kung Town, on the eastern edge of Hong Kong's New Territories, is a breezy escape from the city's skyscraper canyons. Known as the 'Back Garden of Hong Kong,' this former fishing village retains a laid-back waterfront vibe, with seafood restaurants lining the promenade and sampans bobbing in the harbor. It's the gateway to the Sai Kung Peninsula's stunning coastline, offering easy access to hiking trails, remote beaches, and offshore islands. Here, you can trade the MTR for a ferry or a hike, and swap dim sum for freshly caught garoupa grilled over charcoal.

Highlights & What to See

• Sai Kung Promenade & Seafood Street: Stroll along the waterfront and pick your live fish, crab, or lobster from restaurant tanks—they'll cook it to your liking. Try the typhoon shelter crab or steamed prawns.
• Sharp Island (Kiu Tau): A short kaito (ferry) ride from town, this UNESCO Global Geopark site features a tombolo, sea caves, and 'pineapple buns'—weathered volcanic rocks shaped like the pastry.
• MacLehose Trail Section 1 & 2: The first two sections of this iconic 100-km trail start near Sai Kung. Section 1 offers easy coastal views; Section 2 is tougher but leads to the pristine Long Ke Wan beach.
• Sai Kung Old Town & Tin Hau Temple: Wander the narrow lanes of the old village, where traditional shops sell dried seafood and herbal teas, and visit the 19th-century temple dedicated to the goddess of the sea.
• Kiteboarding & Kayaking: The sheltered bays around Sai Kung are perfect for wind sports. Rent a kayak and paddle to hidden coves like Tai Long Wan or the sea caves at Bluff Island.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend a full day: start with a morning hike or kayak, break for a seafood lunch on the promenade, then explore Sharp Island in the afternoon. If you're short on time, a half-day is enough for a walk around town, a seafood meal, and a quick ferry to Sharp Island. For hikers, consider an overnight stay at one of the beach campsites (like Ham Tin Wan) to tackle MacLehose Trail Section 2 over two days.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Clear Water Bay Peninsula: Just south, with dramatic cliffs, the Clear Water Bay Country Park, and the scenic High Junk Peak Country Trail.
• Tai Po & Plover Cove: North of Sai Kung, Tai Po offers the Hong Kong Railway Museum and the Plover Cove Reservoir, with a 12-km hiking trail along its dam.
• Ma On Shan Country Park: A hilly park with the Ma On Shan summit (702 m) offering panoramic views, plus the Ngong Ping Plateau and ancient rock carvings.
• Kowloon East (Kwun Tong & Lei Yue Mun): A 30-minute bus ride away, Lei Yue Mun is another seafood village with a lively market and the quirky Lei Yue Mun Park and Promenade.
• Hong Kong Global Geopark (Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region): The geopark's eastern section includes the hexagonal volcanic columns of the High Island Reservoir East Dam, a 20-minute taxi from Sai Kung town.

Please check official sources for current details.