A fresh look at Hong Kong 2023 (1) – away from the city

This post is part of a series called Hong Kong 2023

A fresh look at Hong Kong 2023 (3) – Culture and Experience
A fresh Look at Hong Kong 2023 (2) – Hong Kong Island
A fresh look at Hong Kong 2023 (1) – away from the city

After an absence of 3 years it’s a joy for me to be back in Hong Kong which survived the traumas of the scary riots and the ensuing pandemic.

There’s a sense of renewal in what I see. It could be the new structures that had sprung up since I was last here. It could also be a new perspective on my part, having a fresh look at places I have taken for granted. I start with some Hong Kong outposts for this series of 3 posts!

Hong Kong is not just about high-rises that dominate the skylines in all the tourist brochures. For those with more than a week to spend in Hong Kong, there are delightful out-of-town places reserved for the discerning visitors. It has to be said that these places are best visited on a weekday and public holidays are a must to avoid!!

Tai O

This unique fishing village on Lantau Island is just a bus or boat ride from the bustling Tung Chung. The haphazardly built structures on stilts dotted around the waterways. However, the ramshackle appearance of these houses belied the cleanliness that I saw everywhere while I meandered through the streets

Tai O Heritage Hotel

Apart from the quaint traditional houses on stilts, I also came across Tai O Heritage Hotel that had been converted from the old Police Station – though it was open in 2012!

Its hillside position commands a restful outlook onto the river.

The grounds are open to the general public, as is the restaurant. However, I have to say that the restaurant looks better than the food that it serves, which is rather ordinary.

Sai Kung

This coastal town is on the Sai Kung peninsula in Kowloon with islands dotted around it. It’s well known for its seafood restaurants, sandy beach, walking trails and UNESCO Global Geopark

Freshly caught fish is also sold from the boats at Sai Kung Pier

This area is best appreciated by taking an hour-long round-the-island trip on a traditional fishing boat that costs around HK$50 per person.

Waterfront Promenade along Tolo Harbour.

The 7km walk from Science Park along the Tolo Harbour promenade to Tai Po Waterfront Park was a bit of a challenge on a hot day as there’s not a lot of shade or shelter.

But I was rewarded by seeing flocks of egrets nestling on large rocks along the way

The spiral lookout tower is the centrepiece of Tai Po Waterfront Park

Stanley

This seaside village on the southern side of Hong Kong Island is famous for its market selling tourist wares. However it’s a relaxing place before the stalls and shops open at 11.00.