Sai Kung & the New Territories: Hiking, Beaches & Seafood
Mention Hong Kong and most people picture neon-lit streets and a wall of skyscrapers, but the city is around three-quarters countryside. Head into the New Territories and especially out to Sai Kung on the eastern shore, and you trade the urban crush for green hills, jagged coastlines, sleepy fishing villages and some of the best seafood in the territory. This guide covers how to get there, what to do, where to hike, and how to plan a half- or full-day escape from the concrete core.
If you are spending more than a couple of days in the city, carving out time for the New Territories is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. It is the side of Hong Kong that visitors on a short trip almost always miss, and it pairs beautifully with the slower, island-and-coast rhythm of a five-day Hong Kong itinerary.
Getting to Sai Kung and the New Territories from the City
The New Territories is the large, mostly mainland-attached region north of Kowloon, stretching up toward the boundary with Shenzhen and out to the eastern peninsulas. It is far more spread out than the dense city core, so getting around takes a little more planning, but the public transport network still reaches surprisingly far.
For most travellers, the gateway to Sai Kung is the town of the same name on the eastern coast. The usual approach is to take the MTR to a transfer point and then switch to a bus or minibus, since Sai Kung town itself is not on the rail network.
- Via Choi Hung or Diamond Hill: Ride the MTR to a Kowloon-side station such as Choi Hung, then catch a green minibus or bus heading east to Sai Kung town. This is the most common route and takes roughly half an hour to forty minutes once you are on the road, depending on traffic.
- Via Hang Hau or Tseung Kwan O: From the eastern end of the Tseung Kwan O line, minibuses also run across to Sai Kung, which can be handy depending on where you are staying.
- By taxi: For a small group, a taxi straight from Kowloon can be reasonable and saves the transfer hassle, especially if you are heading to a specific trailhead rather than the town centre.
An Octopus card covers the MTR, buses and minibuses seamlessly, so you can tap your way out without fumbling for change. If you are still getting to grips with the transport system, our MTR and Octopus card guide explains how the lines, fares and the card all fit together. Because connections out here rely on changing modes of transport and checking live bus times, having an active data connection makes the whole journey far less stressful. A Hong Kong eSIM plan lets you look up minibus routes, follow your position on the map and confirm the last bus home without hunting for Wi-Fi.
Sai Kung Town: Seafood Street and Sampan Trips
Sai Kung town is the laid-back hub of the eastern New Territories and the natural base for a day out here. It has a genuinely different feel from the city: a breezy waterfront, a relaxed pace, and a working harbour bobbing with fishing boats. It is often described as a fishing village, and while it has grown into a sizeable town, it has kept much of that easygoing seaside character.
The seafood promenade
The big draw is the seafood. Along the waterfront promenade, fishing boats and floating stalls sell the day's catch directly, and a strip of restaurants will cook whatever you choose. The classic experience is to wander the harbourfront, point at the fish, prawns, crabs, clams or mantis shrimp you fancy, and have it steamed, stir-fried with ginger and spring onion, or salt-and-pepper fried at a nearby restaurant.
It is an experience as much as a meal, and prices vary widely with the type and freshness of the seafood, so it pays to ask before committing. If you would rather understand the wider context of Hong Kong's food culture first, from dai pai dong street stalls to island seafood, our Hong Kong food guide sets the scene.
Sampan and boat trips
From the Sai Kung waterfront, local boat operators offer sampan and small-boat trips out into the bay and around the nearby islands. These range from short harbour hops to longer excursions toward the more remote beaches and sea caves of the area. Hiring a boat is also one of the easier ways to reach some of the secluded swimming spots that are otherwise a long hike away.
There is no need to book far in advance for the shorter trips; you can usually negotiate directly at the pier. For anything more ambitious, it is worth checking conditions and timings, as services thin out in poor weather and outside the warmer months.
Hiking: MacLehose Trail, Dragon's Back and the Country Parks
Hong Kong is a genuinely world-class hiking destination, and a huge share of its best trails sit within the country parks of the New Territories and the eastern peninsulas. The terrain ranges from gentle coastal strolls to demanding ridge walks, so there is something for every fitness level, provided you respect the heat and humidity.
The MacLehose Trail
The MacLehose Trail is the territory's most famous long-distance route, running roughly 100 kilometres across the New Territories from Sai Kung in the east toward Tuen Mun in the west, divided into ten numbered stages. You do not need to attempt the whole thing; most visitors tackle a single section as a day hike.
Stage 1 and Stage 2, starting near the High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung, are especially prized. They take in dramatic coastal scenery, the engineering of the reservoir's dams, and access toward some of Hong Kong's finest beaches. These stages are scenic but can be exposed and strenuous, so carry plenty of water and start early.
Dragon's Back
Strictly speaking, the celebrated Dragon's Back ridge is on the south-eastern corner of Hong Kong Island rather than the New Territories, but it is so often mentioned alongside the city's great hikes that it deserves a note. It is a comparatively short, accessible ridge walk with sweeping views over Shek O, Big Wave Bay and the surrounding coastline, and it is frequently recommended as the best introductory hike for visitors. If you want a taste of Hong Kong's hiking without committing to a remote New Territories expedition, this is an excellent choice.
Country parks and practicalities
Hong Kong's country parks are well marked, with clear signage, distance posts and, on the popular routes, regular other walkers. That said, the eastern New Territories can feel genuinely wild, and some areas have patchy mobile coverage. A few sensible habits go a long way.
- Carry far more water than you think you need. The subtropical heat and humidity are the single biggest hazard on Hong Kong trails, especially from late spring through summer.
- Download offline maps and check the route before you set off, since signal can drop in valleys and on remote sections. A reliable Hong Kong eSIM keeps you connected at trailheads, on transport and across most of the popular paths, which matters when you are coordinating buses or checking the time of the last service back.
- Start early and finish with daylight to spare. Trails are not lit, and rescues on Hong Kong's hills are not uncommon among under-prepared hikers.
- Watch the weather. Hiking is best avoided in extreme heat, heavy rain or when a typhoon signal is in force.
Beaches and the UNESCO Global Geopark
The eastern New Territories hides some of Hong Kong's most beautiful beaches, many of them far quieter than the busy strands closer to the city. The trade-off is access: the very best are reached by a combination of hiking, boat trips, or both.
Sai Kung's celebrated beaches
The cluster of beaches around the Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay) area on the Sai Kung peninsula is regularly named among Hong Kong's finest, with golden sand, clear water and a remote, end-of-the-world feel. Reaching them typically involves a hike of a couple of hours or a boat ride from Sai Kung, which is precisely why they stay so unspoiled. Closer to town, easier-to-reach beaches and the resort-like coves around the area suit those wanting a swim without the trek.
The Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark
The eastern waters are home to the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, renowned for its striking rock formations, including dramatic hexagonal volcanic columns and sea-sculpted cliffs and caves. The geopark spans parts of the Sai Kung peninsula and a scatter of outlying islands, and the most spectacular formations are best appreciated from the water. Organised boat tours and chartered sampans from Sai Kung are the usual way to see them up close. It is a reminder that Hong Kong's natural heritage is every bit as remarkable as its skyline.
If exploring Hong Kong's quieter corners by ferry appeals, the New Territories pairs naturally with a trip to the outlying islands like Cheung Chau and Lamma, which offer a similar mix of seafood, beaches and slow-paced village life accessible by boat from the city.
Planning a Half- or Full-Day Escape
Because the New Territories is spread out and partly dependent on weather and daylight, a little planning makes the difference between a relaxed day out and a rushed one. How you structure it depends on whether you want a gentle taste or a proper adventure.
A half-day in Sai Kung town
If you only have a morning or an afternoon, base yourself in Sai Kung town. Stroll the waterfront promenade, browse the seafood stalls, take a short sampan trip around the bay, and settle in for a seafood lunch or dinner. It is an easy, low-effort way to experience the area's character without committing to a long hike, and the transport in and out is straightforward.
A full day combining hiking and the coast
With a full day and reasonable fitness, you can combine a stage of the MacLehose Trail or a hike out to a remote beach with time in Sai Kung town afterwards. A popular plan is to head out early toward the High Island Reservoir and the Tai Long Wan beaches, walk for a few hours, then return to town for a well-earned seafood feast as the light fades over the harbour.
Timing and seasons
The most comfortable months for hiking and the outdoors are the cooler, drier weeks of autumn and early winter, roughly from October to December, when humidity drops and the skies are clearer. Summer is hot, sticky and prone to sudden downpours, while the typhoon season can disrupt boats and trails. Our guide to the best time to visit Hong Kong breaks down the seasons and the typhoon signals in detail, which is well worth a read before you commit to an outdoor day.
- Go early. Beat both the heat and the crowds, and give yourself a buffer for the journey back.
- Pack for the outdoors: water, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and a light rain layer in the wetter months.
- Confirm return transport. Minibuses and boats run less frequently than city services, so know your last departure before you set out.
- Carry some cash. Smaller seafood stalls, boat operators and rural eateries may not all take cards, even though Octopus is widely accepted in town.
The New Territories and Sai Kung show a side of Hong Kong that surprises almost everyone, all green hills, blue water and unhurried village life within reach of one of the densest cities on earth. With trail maps, live transport times and boat options at your fingertips, it is easy to explore confidently even where the coverage gets patchy. Keeping a steady data connection through a Hong Kong eSIM means you can wander the coast, time your buses and find that perfect seafood table without ever feeling cut off from the city you left behind that morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Sai Kung from central Hong Kong?
Sai Kung town is not on the MTR, so the usual route is to take the MTR to a Kowloon-side station such as Choi Hung or Diamond Hill, then transfer to a green minibus or bus heading east to Sai Kung. From the Tseung Kwan O line, minibuses also run across from stations like Hang Hau. The whole trip takes roughly an hour from central Kowloon, and your Octopus card covers every leg.
Is Sai Kung worth visiting on a short Hong Kong trip?
If you have three days or more, Sai Kung is one of the most rewarding escapes from the city. It offers a relaxed seafood-stall waterfront, sampan boat trips, world-class hiking on the MacLehose Trail and remote beaches, all a world away from the skyscrapers. It is the side of Hong Kong most short-trip visitors miss, and it pairs well with a five-day or island-focused itinerary.
What is the best hike in the New Territories?
Stages 1 and 2 of the MacLehose Trail, starting near the High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung, are among Hong Kong's most celebrated, taking in dramatic coastline and access to the Tai Long Wan beaches. They are scenic but strenuous and exposed, so carry plenty of water and start early. For an easier, more accessible ridge walk, the Dragon's Back on Hong Kong Island is the classic introductory hike.
Where are the best beaches near Sai Kung?
The beaches around Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay) on the Sai Kung peninsula are regularly ranked among Hong Kong's finest, with golden sand and clear water. They are remote, reached by a hike of a couple of hours or a boat trip from Sai Kung town, which keeps them quiet and unspoiled. Easier-to-reach coves closer to town suit anyone wanting a swim without the trek.
When is the best time to visit the New Territories for hiking?
The cooler, drier months of autumn and early winter, roughly October to December, are the most comfortable for hiking and the outdoors, with lower humidity and clearer skies. Summer is hot, humid and prone to sudden downpours, and the typhoon season can disrupt boats and trails, so it is best to check the weather and any typhoon signals before heading out.