A scenic and satiating day in Sai Kung

Written by Time Out Hong Kong

Sai Kung offers sweeping mountain views, gorgeous beaches, scenic trails, marine parks, multiple UNESCO sites, charming fishing villages, treasured remnants of well-preserved Hakka culture and a town centre with boutique shops and delicious fare. So, whether you fancy an authentic seafood feast, shopping for unique finds, connecting with nature, or getting a dose of culture and history, Sai Kung has you covered. Don’t want to have to choose? Follow our itinerary to take in a bit of everything.

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Stop 1: fuel up in Sai Kung Town with a specialty coffee and a freshly baked treat

Sai Kung is home to many artisan cafes, perfect for people- (and puppy-) watching in Sai Kung Hoi Pong Square Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info . While Sai Kung offers an array of contemporary dining options, its old town charm remains in many elements, especially in its local food, offering nostalgic Hong Kong favourites like freshly baked pineapple buns, traditional Chinese rice pudding, cart noodles and more.

Stop 2: learn about Hong Kong’s geological history at the Volcano Discovery Centre

Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region contains a wide distribution of hexagonal rock columns of geological and international significance. Enrich your geopark experience with a visit to the Volcano Discovery Centre Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info located in Sai Kung Waterfront Park. Learn about the formation of Hong Kong’s unique rock columns, volcanic history and features of the various geosites before heading out for a day of exploration.

Stop 3: take a speedboat to Yim Tin Tsai and explore the history of the Hakka people, or head to Sharp Island’s Hap Mun Bay Beach for a dip

Yim Tin Tsai — a small offshore island about a 15-minute speedboat ride from Sai Kung Town — is a large part of its storied past. Over 300 years ago, it was a settlement for a thriving Hakka community whose members developed and made their living from salt farms on the island. Although the population declined with the salt industry, parts of the island are now undergoing a painstaking preservation process after receiving UNESCO recognition. Today, the island sees weekend visitors exploring one of the last bastions of Hakka history.

Spanning just 2.5km in length, Sharp Island Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is a small island within the geopark that is home to unique attractions, including the comically dubbed ‘pineapple bun’ rock formations. There are also two beautiful beaches — Hap Mun Bay and Kiu Tsui. If a visit coincides with low tide, the tombolo presents itself to walk directly onto nearby Kiu Tau Island, while a short hike enables visitors to walk from one side of the island to the other. Boats shuttle visitors to Sharp Island from Sai Kung Public Pier at 30-minute intervals.

Stop 4: take the boat back to Sai Kung Town for some grub along Fuk Man Road aka Thai Food Street

Sai Kung Town is sprawling with food options and international flavours. With each street adopting its own culinary identity, options vary from street food to Michelin-starred experiences. Fuk Man Road Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info transports you to the Land of Smiles with its authentic and unfussy Thai joints.

Stop 5: get a dose of culture at Sai Kung Town’s Tin Hau Temple complex

A popular attraction is the Tin Hau Temple Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info — a Grade II listed building, which maintains its original early 20^th century facade. Dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, fishermen would come to pay their respects and ask her to protect them at sea. This Tin Hau temple happens to be particularly decorative and is filled with worshippers during the annual Tin Hau Festival, in celebration of the birthday of the sea goddess, which falls on the 23^rd day of the third lunar month.

Stop 6: pick up some boutique, local finds and stock up on bulk groceries in Sai Kung Town

In Sai Kung Town, generations-old shops rub shoulders with modern health food shops and quirky boutiques. Some of the main tenets of Sai Kung sensibility are sustainability and community. Sai Kung is home to zero-waste stores, mom-and-pop grocers that have become fixtures in the town, and a broad range of shops selling organic personal care products, handmade homeware and clothing, eco-wood furniture, collectors’ items, craft spirits, beer and wine, and even vinyl records. The town has also become home to a collective of local artisans specialising in leather goods, paper crafts, ceramic artwork, and candle-making.

Stop 7: feast on the catch of the day at Sai Kung’s Seafood Street

Even with its development over the years, Sai Kung Town remains a lively fishing village, and it’s no wonder that the town centre’s gorgeous waterfront — appropriately known as Seafood Street Get me there {{title}} {{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info — is lined with award-winning seafood restaurants. Tanks outside Michelin-starred eateries are brimming with all kinds of fish and shellfish, while on the other side of the strip, floating fishermen line the dock, proudly putting their best catches of the day on display. To this day, Seafood Street still supplies many restaurants across Hong Kong with fresh product. Enjoy an al fresco seafood feast by selecting right from the restaurants’ tanks, or — for a small surcharge — bring in your own catch of the day to be prepared as you wish, or better yet, let the chef decide for you.

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