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Antiquity
Cycling: experience the cultural heritage and scenery of the New Territories on this challenging journey from Tuen Mun to Sha Tin
Written by South China Morning Post ( Morning Studio )
Ride safely
When cycling, please remember to always follow road safety regulations, wear proper protective gear and stay alert, especially on unfamiliar or busy routes, to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road.
For more safe cycling information, please click here.
Explore the New Territories’ rich cultural history while marvelling at the area’s breathtaking scenery as you cycle along the Tuen Mun to Sha Tin 55 km cycle track. The region of wetlands, parks and mountains enjoys a diverse cultural history and the track, which takes about 6 hours to complete, provides safe access for visiting its many ancient temples, historic buildings and monuments while enjoying spectacular views of the Pat Sin Leng mountain range and Tolo Harbour.
A scenic ASMR ride
Refuel
There are many shops, restaurants, shopping malls and vending machines where you can refuel and stock up on supplies of drinking water and snacks along the cycle track.
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Hau Kok Tin Hau Temple and Fa Pau Exhibition Hall
Located in Tuen Mun Old Market, the Hau Kok Tin Hau Temple — built more than 600 years ago to honour the Chinese Goddess of the Sea — is one of Hong Kong’s oldest Tin Hau temples. Originally it stood beside the mouth of the river, hence its Chinese name hau kok or ‘corner of river mouth’. Annual celebrations honouring the goddess and Chinese New Year, including colourful dragon dances and parades, take place in the large Tin Hau Temple Plaza in front of the temple. The Tin Hau tradition of creating fa pau, literally ‘flower cannons’ — towering floral towers made of bamboo and brightly coloured tissue paper — in honour of the goddess, is commemorated at Fa Pau Exhibition Hall, which includes a display of old photographs of former celebrations and three full-sized fa paus.
Before your visit, you may call the Wu Shan Recreation Playground hotline on 2463 7597 to make sure the bike rental kiosk will be open. You should arrive after 9:30am, while the kiosk usually stays open until 7:30pm. Ask the staff for help choosing a comfortable bike for the trip and locations where you can return the bike if you need to cut short your journey. Renting a bike costs HK$100 to HK$150 per day. Bring a bike lock to secure your bike when you stop as locks are not provided by the rental shop.
Get me there
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Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery and Heritage Trail Visitors Centre
The centre, which introduces visitors to local folk culture and heritage along the Ping Shan Heritage Trail, passing through the Ping Shan area’s historic buildings and sites, is housed in the Old Ping Shan Police Station. This elegant, white two-storey building, featuring large arched verandahs and rooftop observation posts, was built on top of a hill in the village of Hang Tau Tsuen, overlooking Ping Shan since 1900. Its three buildings have now been converted into a series of galleries with antiquities and displays highlighting the trail, and the history of the local Tang clan — one of the five major clans in the New Territories.
Get me there
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Tai Fu Tai Mansion
This fully restored, beautifully embellished mansion, featuring two halls flanking a large central courtyard area, was originally built in 1865 during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) for Man Chung-luen, a senior official or tai fu and member of the Man clan — another of the five major clans in the New Territories. The historic building, which includes a striking circular archway leading to a small courtyard, is decorated with colourful plaster mouldings, wall paintings, wood carvings and ceramic figures throughout, making it a popular spot among Instagram buffs. It is considered a fine example of the traditional home owned by southern Chinese government mandarins at the time, and was declared a monument in 1987.
Get me there
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Sheung Yue River, Ho Sheung Heung
A cycle track running beside Sheung Yue River, or ‘Two Fishes River’ — a tributary of Ng Tung River, which snakes through northeast New Territories — offers fine views of farms and fish ponds in the surrounding area and the tops of Shenzhen skyscrapers in the distance. Don’t miss photographing the group of huge water pipes near the water pumping station, which have become a popular spot among Instagram buffs. For dessert lovers, two renowned shops in the Ho Sheung Heung area serve delicious tofu pudding (tofu custard), which is not to be missed. For a quick meal or snacks, you can follow the cycle track to nearby MTR Sheung Shui Station, where you will find some restaurants and shops.
You may choose to finish in Sheung Shui or Tai Po for a shorter trip. For safety, make sure you have practised and mastered the basics of cycling before going on the trip. Always wear a safety helmet and stick to the dedicated cycle tracks whenever possible, and avoid riding on pavements and busy roads. Obey traffic rules, including traffic lights, signs and road markings. Keep to the left-hand side of the road, move at a steady speed and watch out for hazards such as potholes, drains and temporary road covers. Check the New Territories Cycle Track Network website for details about the destinations and cycling tips.
Get me there
-
Hong Kong Science Park
The waterfront Hong Kong Science Park at Pak Shek Kok, Sha Tin, which serves as a hi-tech hub for research and development, is home to more than 1,000 technology companies. The park’s hi-tech architecture offers some striking Instagram-worthy opportunities and its setting also provides impressive views of Tolo Harbour and the eight peaks of Pat Sin Leng. It is also a dining and entertainment destination, which features a selection of cafes and restaurants serving Western and Asian cuisines.
Get me there
-
Tsang Tai Uk
The well-preserved granite and timber Hakka walled village of Tsang Tai Uk, featuring interlocking houses arranged in three rows around a huge rectangle-shaped courtyard, was built in 1848 as a stronghold for the Tsang clan. People still live there, but visitors can explore the courtyard and its ancestral hall, which is used for annual ceremonies.
Get me there
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Sha Tin Che Kung Temple
This temple was originally built during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) to honour Che Kung, a Southern Song dynasty general who not only put down a rebellion, but was also believed to have successfully resolved epidemics. Villagers reportedly constructed the temple in his name after an epidemic broke out in Sha Tin, and completed once the danger passed. The temple, featuring a wheel of fortune and drum, which visitors can beat to bring good luck during annual Che Kung Festivals, was renovated in 1890 and rebuilt in 1994.
Get me there
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Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Sha Tin’s Hong Kong Heritage Museum, celebrating Chinese history, art and culture, opened in 2000. The building, with its traditional Chinese courtyard design, has become a well-known landmark beside Shing Mun River. Its six permanent and six thematic galleries include the interactive Children’s Discovery Gallery, where youngsters can explore the wonders of archaeology, and the historic development of toys in the city, while Hong Kong Pop 60+ focuses on popular Hong Kong music, film, television, radio, comics and toys since World War II.
Get me there
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Dining Option
Sha Tin New Town Plaza
At the end of your trip, once you have returned your bikes at Pai Tau Village, you may want to enjoy a relaxing meal by walking for five minutes to the huge shopping mall, Sha Tin New Town Plaza. The complex is home to a rooftop garden, where you can sit and relax, and more than 50 restaurants and cafes serving a range of Western and Asian cuisines. To promote biking in the area, the Plaza offers a free bicycle parking area (equipped with pumps and simple maintenance tools) on the first floor of West Wing, Phase One. It has also produced a cycling map and teamed up with a bike rental shop in nearby Pai Tau Village to offer discounts to its customers.
Get me there
Transport
Getting to Hau Kok Tin Hau Temple
You can rent a bike at Wu Shan Recreation Playground. At MTR Tuen Mun Station, take Light Rail Route 507 to MTR Siu Hei Light Rail Stop, then walk toward Wu Shan Road to enter Wu Shan Recreation Playground and look for the bike rental kiosk. You can then cycle along the bike track beside the river towards Yuen Long, with Hau Kok Tin Hau Temple only about 500 metres away.
Leaving from Hong Kong Heritage Museum
After visiting nearby Hong Kong Heritage Museum, cycle through the tunnel and follow the cycle track beside Shing Mun River towards Sha Tin Park. You could then return your bike at Bike Kiosk No. 2 near Lek Yuen Bridge. Later, follow the walkway to MTR Sha Tin Station or Sha Tin New Town Plaza.
More Routes
Antiquity
Cycling: experience the cultural heritage and scenery of the New Territories on this challenging journey from Tuen Mun to Sha Tin
Written by South China Morning Post ( Morning Studio )
Ride safely
When cycling, please remember to always follow road safety regulations, wear proper protective gear and stay alert, especially on unfamiliar or busy routes, to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road.
For more safe cycling information, please click here.
Explore the New Territories’ rich cultural history while marvelling at the area’s breathtaking scenery as you cycle along the Tuen Mun to Sha Tin 55 km cycle track. The region of wetlands, parks and mountains enjoys a diverse cultural history and the track, which takes about 6 hours to complete, provides safe access for visiting its many ancient temples, historic buildings and monuments while enjoying spectacular views of the Pat Sin Leng mountain range and Tolo Harbour.
A scenic ASMR ride
Refuel
There are many shops, restaurants, shopping malls and vending machines where you can refuel and stock up on supplies of drinking water and snacks along the cycle track.
Hau Kok Tin Hau Temple and Fa Pau Exhibition Hall
Located in Tuen Mun Old Market, the Hau Kok Tin Hau Temple — built more than 600 years ago to honour the Chinese Goddess of the Sea — is one of Hong Kong’s oldest Tin Hau temples. Originally it stood beside the mouth of the river, hence its Chinese name hau kok or ‘corner of river mouth’. Annual celebrations honouring the goddess and Chinese New Year, including colourful dragon dances and parades, take place in the large Tin Hau Temple Plaza in front of the temple. The Tin Hau tradition of creating fa pau, literally ‘flower cannons’ — towering floral towers made of bamboo and brightly coloured tissue paper — in honour of the goddess, is commemorated at Fa Pau Exhibition Hall, which includes a display of old photographs of former celebrations and three full-sized fa paus.
Before your visit, you may call the Wu Shan Recreation Playground hotline on 2463 7597 to make sure the bike rental kiosk will be open. You should arrive after 9:30am, while the kiosk usually stays open until 7:30pm. Ask the staff for help choosing a comfortable bike for the trip and locations where you can return the bike if you need to cut short your journey. Renting a bike costs HK$100 to HK$150 per day. Bring a bike lock to secure your bike when you stop as locks are not provided by the rental shop.
Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery and Heritage Trail Visitors Centre
The centre, which introduces visitors to local folk culture and heritage along the Ping Shan Heritage Trail, passing through the Ping Shan area’s historic buildings and sites, is housed in the Old Ping Shan Police Station. This elegant, white two-storey building, featuring large arched verandahs and rooftop observation posts, was built on top of a hill in the village of Hang Tau Tsuen, overlooking Ping Shan since 1900. Its three buildings have now been converted into a series of galleries with antiquities and displays highlighting the trail, and the history of the local Tang clan — one of the five major clans in the New Territories.
Tai Fu Tai Mansion
This fully restored, beautifully embellished mansion, featuring two halls flanking a large central courtyard area, was originally built in 1865 during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) for Man Chung-luen, a senior official or tai fu and member of the Man clan — another of the five major clans in the New Territories. The historic building, which includes a striking circular archway leading to a small courtyard, is decorated with colourful plaster mouldings, wall paintings, wood carvings and ceramic figures throughout, making it a popular spot among Instagram buffs. It is considered a fine example of the traditional home owned by southern Chinese government mandarins at the time, and was declared a monument in 1987.
Sheung Yue River, Ho Sheung Heung
A cycle track running beside Sheung Yue River, or ‘Two Fishes River’ — a tributary of Ng Tung River, which snakes through northeast New Territories — offers fine views of farms and fish ponds in the surrounding area and the tops of Shenzhen skyscrapers in the distance. Don’t miss photographing the group of huge water pipes near the water pumping station, which have become a popular spot among Instagram buffs. For dessert lovers, two renowned shops in the Ho Sheung Heung area serve delicious tofu pudding (tofu custard), which is not to be missed. For a quick meal or snacks, you can follow the cycle track to nearby MTR Sheung Shui Station, where you will find some restaurants and shops.
You may choose to finish in Sheung Shui or Tai Po for a shorter trip. For safety, make sure you have practised and mastered the basics of cycling before going on the trip. Always wear a safety helmet and stick to the dedicated cycle tracks whenever possible, and avoid riding on pavements and busy roads. Obey traffic rules, including traffic lights, signs and road markings. Keep to the left-hand side of the road, move at a steady speed and watch out for hazards such as potholes, drains and temporary road covers. Check the New Territories Cycle Track Network website for details about the destinations and cycling tips.
Hong Kong Science Park
The waterfront Hong Kong Science Park at Pak Shek Kok, Sha Tin, which serves as a hi-tech hub for research and development, is home to more than 1,000 technology companies. The park’s hi-tech architecture offers some striking Instagram-worthy opportunities and its setting also provides impressive views of Tolo Harbour and the eight peaks of Pat Sin Leng. It is also a dining and entertainment destination, which features a selection of cafes and restaurants serving Western and Asian cuisines.
Tsang Tai Uk
The well-preserved granite and timber Hakka walled village of Tsang Tai Uk, featuring interlocking houses arranged in three rows around a huge rectangle-shaped courtyard, was built in 1848 as a stronghold for the Tsang clan. People still live there, but visitors can explore the courtyard and its ancestral hall, which is used for annual ceremonies.
Sha Tin Che Kung Temple
This temple was originally built during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) to honour Che Kung, a Southern Song dynasty general who not only put down a rebellion, but was also believed to have successfully resolved epidemics. Villagers reportedly constructed the temple in his name after an epidemic broke out in Sha Tin, and completed once the danger passed. The temple, featuring a wheel of fortune and drum, which visitors can beat to bring good luck during annual Che Kung Festivals, was renovated in 1890 and rebuilt in 1994.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Sha Tin’s Hong Kong Heritage Museum, celebrating Chinese history, art and culture, opened in 2000. The building, with its traditional Chinese courtyard design, has become a well-known landmark beside Shing Mun River. Its six permanent and six thematic galleries include the interactive Children’s Discovery Gallery, where youngsters can explore the wonders of archaeology, and the historic development of toys in the city, while Hong Kong Pop 60+ focuses on popular Hong Kong music, film, television, radio, comics and toys since World War II.
Sha Tin New Town Plaza
At the end of your trip, once you have returned your bikes at Pai Tau Village, you may want to enjoy a relaxing meal by walking for five minutes to the huge shopping mall, Sha Tin New Town Plaza. The complex is home to a rooftop garden, where you can sit and relax, and more than 50 restaurants and cafes serving a range of Western and Asian cuisines. To promote biking in the area, the Plaza offers a free bicycle parking area (equipped with pumps and simple maintenance tools) on the first floor of West Wing, Phase One. It has also produced a cycling map and teamed up with a bike rental shop in nearby Pai Tau Village to offer discounts to its customers.
Transport
Getting to Hau Kok Tin Hau Temple
You can rent a bike at Wu Shan Recreation Playground. At MTR Tuen Mun Station, take Light Rail Route 507 to MTR Siu Hei Light Rail Stop, then walk toward Wu Shan Road to enter Wu Shan Recreation Playground and look for the bike rental kiosk. You can then cycle along the bike track beside the river towards Yuen Long, with Hau Kok Tin Hau Temple only about 500 metres away.
Leaving from Hong Kong Heritage Museum
After visiting nearby Hong Kong Heritage Museum, cycle through the tunnel and follow the cycle track beside Shing Mun River towards Sha Tin Park. You could then return your bike at Bike Kiosk No. 2 near Lek Yuen Bridge. Later, follow the walkway to MTR Sha Tin Station or Sha Tin New Town Plaza.