Sai Kung in Hong Kong

Sai Kung in Hong Kong

The second-largest area in Hong Kong in terms of landmass, Sai Kung is dubbed the “back garden of Hong Kong”, known for its fishing villages, beautiful scenery, hiking trails, beaches and islands.

English Name: Sai Kung in Hong Kong

Chinese Name: 香港西贡

Attraction Type: Temple, Hiking Tour, Education Tour, Nature

Best Time to Visit: whole year

Recommended Visiting Time: about 3-4 hours

Admission Fee: almost free

Address in English: Hong Kong, China

Address in Chinese: 中国香港

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Why is Sai Kung so Special?

Because most of the Sai Kung Peninsula is undeveloped, it is a “rear garden” of Hong Kong. While the Sai Kung is located between the urban area and the peninsula, the traffic is convenient. Therefore, it becomes an important place for tourists to go to the rural areas.

Where is Sai Kung?

It is a small town located in the eastern part of the New Territories, near the Sai Kung Peninsula and facing the sea. The Sai Kung is located in the center of the villages in the neighbouring areas, so the nearby area is also called “Sai Kung”.

How to Get there?

Tourists can take the green minibus of Line 101M at the Exit B1 of Metro Hangkou Station.
Tourists also can take 1A green minibus, to the central terminal of the city to get off, or take a bus 92 at the Exit C2 of Metro Rainbow Station. The main roads from downtown are connected to Rainbow Station.

History of Sai Kung

The name of Sai Kung appeared in the early Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty sent Zheng He to the West seven times. After the seven “voyages to the Western Ocean”, many countries in East and West Asia, the coastal areas of the Middle East and East Africa also paid tribute and traded with the Ming Dynasty. At that time, it was a port for tributary ships to berth in the West. Over time, this is called “Sai Kung”, which means “the West comes to tribute”.

As early as fourteenth Century, fishermen lived in the Sai Kung. Originally, it was a silent fishing village. In 1920s, the Sai Kung became the place where the villagers came to buy and sell. Because Sai Kung is a fishing village, fishermen often gather here, thus gradually developing into a seafood resort. Today, the public pier is lined with seafood stalls along the street, and there are some seafood restaurants.

There are small boats and wharfs on the sea in Sai Kung, which are protected by typhoon shelters, and there are quite a few Chinese sailing ships in Hong Kong. Because of the decline of Sai Kung’s fishing industry along with economic development, many fishermen have settled ashore and no longer use sailing boats as their homes.

Main Attractions in Sai Kung

Tin Hau Temple

In the northeast coast of Inland Sea of Port Shelter lies Tin Hau Temple. Although small, it is the oldest temple amongst the Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong. Here, it is local custom to burn incense to pray. You may wish to worship inside the temple.

Sai Kung Country Park

Tourists who like to climb mountains can go hiking to Sai Kung Country Park and enjoy the beautiful scenery of High Island Reservoir and the mountains and seas. But the whole climb is about 16 kilometers, which takes 4-6 hours.

High Island Reservoir

The High Island Reservoir, Sai Kung, was opened in 1978 to help alleviate water shortage problems in Hong Kong. The reservoir was created by constructing two main dams. Two roads have been built above the dam to allow visitors to enter a very remote and unspoiled area. Driving along the dam on the highway, you can have a good understanding of the size and scale of the High Island Reservoir.

Lion Natural Education Center

Visitors with children can visit the Lion Natural Education Center, the first natural education center in Hong Kong. The center has many attracting gardens and outdoor exhibition venues, such as: specimen forest, ore horn, medicinal botanical garden, practice nursery, insect breeding room and shellfish hall, etc. It plays a wide role in education, recreation, natural protection and scientific research.

Sharp Peak

Sharp Peak is 468 meters above sea level. Although it is not among the top ten peaks in Hong Kong, it is definitely one of the most popular hiking routes for experienced hikers. Owing to the steep rubble of the Serpentine Mountain, it has been called “the top three tips in Hong Kong” and “the first dangerous peak in Hong Kong” by hikers.