Hong Kong / Sai Kung & the New Territories / Sai KungSai Kung
The Geopark's Rock Columns, Hidden Beaches and Seafood on the Waterfront
The green, mountainous peninsula in the east of the New Territories, called Hong Kong's back garden. Sai Kung town is a harbour of boats and seafood restaurants where you choose your fish from the tanks; from its pier, kaitos and tour boats go out to Sharp Island, the Hakka village of Yim Tin Tsai, and the volcanic coast of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, and taxis run up to the High Island Reservoir East Dam for its hexagonal rock columns. The beaches of Tai Long Wan (Sai Wan and Ham Tin) are among the best in Hong Kong, reached on foot along the MacLehose Trail or by speedboat. From Kowloon it is about an hour by MTR and minibus. Seafood is the draw, but the town's cafés and Western restaurants feed vegetarians. Sai Kung town has few hotels, so a night here is priced at the hotels of Tseung Kwan O, 20-30 minutes away by minibus; most visitors come for the day.
Highlights
- Hexagonal rock columns at the High Island Reservoir East Dam
- Geopark boat trip along the volcanic coast
- Sharp Island's tombolo at low tide
- Yim Tin Tsai Hakka village
- Tai Long Wan beaches
- Seafood on the Sai Kung waterfront
Things to do
- Taxi to the High Island Reservoir East Dam and its rock columnsMorning · 3h
- Boat trip along the Geopark's volcanic coastAfternoon · 2h 30m
- MacLehose Trail Stage 2 to the Tai Long Wan beachesMorning · 6h
- Kaito to Sharp Island or Yim Tin TsaiAfternoon · 2h 30m
- Dinner on the Sai Kung waterfrontEvening · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: October – December
Worth knowing
Typhoon Season
July to September is the height of the typhoon season. When the Hong Kong Observatory raises the No. 8 signal, almost everything shuts for hours to a day or two: ferries stop, the cable car, Disneyland, Ocean Park and most shops close, buses thin out, the MTR runs a reduced service and flights are cancelled. Watch the Observatory's app, keep a spare day before your flight home, and book refundable rooms and tickets.
Heads up
Typhoon Risk
Typhoons can reach Hong Kong from May to November, less often than in high summer. If the No. 8 signal goes up, ferries, theme parks and most sights close until it comes down: keep plans flexible and check the Hong Kong Observatory's app.
Worth knowing
Heat and Storms on the Trails
Summer days are 31-34 °C and very humid, and the Dragon's Back, Lantau Peak and Sai Kung's trails have little shade. Start at dawn, carry two litres of water a person, and turn back if the Observatory issues a red or black rainstorm warning or a thunderstorm warning: hill paths flood and landslips happen.
Heads up
Chinese New Year Closures
Over Chinese New Year (6 February 2027) small shops and family restaurants close for a few days, and the theme parks, the cable car and the islands are busy with holiday crowds. Book tickets ahead.
Heads up
Golden Week Crowds
From 1 to 7 October, mainland China's National Day holiday fills Hong Kong with visitors and lifts hotel prices across the city. Markets, ferries and the busiest sights are crowded all week.
- Tin Hau Festival — The birthday of Tin Hau, goddess of the sea and of fishermen. Thousands go by boat and bus to the great temple at Joss House Bay, south of Sai Kung, and the Tin Hau temples round the territory, Stanley's among them, hold lion dances and offerings.