Tai Po District

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Four Lanes (Tai Ming Lane Square)

Four busy lanes in Tai Po, namely Kwong Fuk Lane, Tai Wing Lane, Tai Kwong Lane and Tai Ming Lane, are arranged as a square with a garden inside. The square they form together is known as Tai Ming Lane Square. The Four Lanes area used to be watercress fields before the 1960s. Yet now, it is a meeting place for the local people with many shops and eateries around.

The Hong Kong Housing Society carried out an $8 million revitalization project at the Four Lanes in 2008. Chinese-style ornamental columns and screen walls were erected, while red bricks were laid along the four lanes to give a facelift to the area.

Tung Ping Chau

Tung Ping Chau is one of the "Geo Wonders"of the Hong Kong Geopark. The island of 1.1 square kilometres sits in Mirs Bay and is just thousand yards away from Dapeng Peninsula of Shenzhen. It is a flat island which the highest point rises a mere 48 metres above sea level.

In geological history, Tung Ping Chau has the youngest rocks in Hong Kong which are only 55 million years old. However, its peculiar formations are composed of layers of siltstone, and form a unique sedimentary rock landscape in Hong Kong with various abrasion landforms. Famous landforms here include Dragon Diving into the Sea, Kang Lau Shek and Cham Keng Chau.

The waters surrounding Tung Ping Chau are also designated as a marine park. 65 species of hard corals, over 130 reef-associated fishes and more than 200 species of marine invertebrates were recorded there.

Tap Mun

Tap Mun, also known as Grass Island, is situated in Sai Kung North, east of the Tolo Channel. It was once a famous fishing area with a population of about 5,000. The population has now dropped because of the reduction in fish haul, but the charm of the island remains.

Tap Mun features a variety of attractions, including the Tin Hau Kung temple, Lung Tau Ken, Dip Shek and the Tap Mun Shrine. Facing the Mirs Bay in the east, it is also an ideal place for watching sunrise.

During holidays, the only seafood restaurant on the Island is full of customers. The seafood there mainly comes from the fishing boats and rafts nearby. Visitors can also buy various kinds of high quality preserved seafood (such as dried shrimps, salted fish and dried octopus) at reasonable prices from stalls around the pier. Many ex-residents will also return to Tap Mun to celebrate and rejoice during major traditional festivals.

Lai Chi Chong

Lai Chi Chong is situated at the northern foothills of Shek Uk Shan, facing Tolo Channel. It was so named because there had been three huge lychee trees bearing juicy fruit.

Lai Chi Chong is one of the geosites of the Hong Kong Geopark. On the foreshore near the Lai Chi Chong pier, there is an uneven stratum of volcanic ash sedimentary rock. Displaying very distinctive foldings, faults and bedding structure, it is an ideal location for geological study.

Lai Chi Chong is also an ideal site for stargazing. The Caritas Jockey Club Siu Tong Camp was recently redeveloped in 2009 to provide a pleasant environment for star lovers.

Tai Mei Tuk

Located next to the Plover Cove Reservoir and at the foot of Pat Sin Leng, Tai Mei Tuk is a popular place for local people to spend their weekends. Visitors may have a barbecue, fly kites, go cycling or fishing. They may also walk along the Tai Mei Tuk Family Walk and use facilities provided at the water sports centre or the youth hostel. The cuisines in Guangdong, Western and Thai styles offered at cafes and restaurants along Ting Kok Road should never be missed.

The Wilson Trail (Tai Po Section)

The Wilson Trail was the idea of the former Hong Kong Governor Baron David Wilson. This 78 kilometres trail begins at Stanley in the south of Hong Kong Island, stretches to Kowloon and ends at Nam Chung in the north of the New Territories. Along the way, there are clear sign posts. The trail is split into 10 stages, of which stages 7 to 10 run through Tai Po.

The Wilson Trail traverses the Tai Po New Town areas around Tai Wo MTR Station. Hikers can start from there, heading south through idyllic villages and Lead Mine Pass to Shing Mun Reservoir in Tsuen Wan. Alternatively, hikers can climb up Cloudy Hill, Wong Leng and Pat Sin Leng in the north. Located at the northeast of Tai Po, Pat Sin Leng has eight high peaks and many steep paths along its mountain range. Its landscape looks like eight fairies coming down from heaven. The highest point of the Wilson Trail is the main peak of Wong Leng, which is 639 metres above sea level. From there, hikers can enjoy a breathtaking view.

Tai Po Waterfront Park

Occupying an area of about 22 hectares, the Tai Po Waterfront Park is the largest park managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.

The Park provides a wide range of facilities, including a 1.2kilometre-long promenade, a kite flying area facing the Tolo Harbour, a cycle track and an amphitheatre where an international concert was once held. Dragon boat races are also held there every year during the Dragon Boat Festival.

There is a 32.4-metre-high Spiral Lookout Tower in the Park. From the top of the Tower, you may have a panoramic view of the Tai Po waterfront. After visiting the tower, you may also visit the Insect House nearby.

Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls

The Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls, located at the northern foot of Tai Mo Shan, is the longest waterfall in Hong Kong. The thick woodlands and the nice scenery there make it a popular place for photography enthusiasts. On the way to the waterfalls you may also find Man Tak Yuen, a private Taoist temple with traditional Chinese style architecture.

Man Mo Temple

Built in 1891, the Man Mo Temple is the first declared monument in the New Territories. The Temple was built by the Tai Po Tsat Yeuk (an alliance of seven groups of villagers from over 60 villages in Tai Po) to mark the founding of Tai Wo Shi (now Tai Po Market). The Man Mo Temple was once the administrative and religious centre of the Tai Po Market.

After touring the Man Mo Temple, visitors can walk through Fu Shin Street, where rural produce and traditional food items are for sale. Fu Shin Street is always crowded with shoppers and visitors and is even more bustling during traditional festive seasons.

Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) spreads over 148 hectares of land and is located on the northern slopes and foothills of Hong Kong's highest mountain - Tai Mo Shan. The Farm was established in 1956 to provide agricultural aid to farmers in need of support to help them lead independent lives. Today, reflecting the changing times, KFBG offers wide-ranging educational opportunities for the public, with educational displays featuring themes on South China biodiversity, native wildlife conservation, organic farming and sustainable living.

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm (no entry permitted after 4pm)

Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree

The two banyan trees at Fong Ma Po Village, Lam Tsuen are known as the "Wishing Trees" by the public in Hong Kong. The Trees have been very popular among the local people and attract a large number of visitors, especially during Lunar New Year.

Visitors who want to make wishes may write their wishes on a bunch of paper offering. Previously, visitors would then make their wishes by throwing the paper offerings onto the Trees. However, with a view to conserving the Trees, they now tie the paper offerings onto the newly built wooden racks nearby instead.

The recently established Lam Tsuen Wishing Square, located right next to the Wishing Trees, is a new attraction in the area. A 25-feet high replica of the Wishing Tree was installed in the Square in early 2010 for visitors to recall their memories of throwing paper offerings in an environmental-friendly way.

Near to the Trees there is also a Tin Hau Temple which was built during the reign of Qianlong (1736 - 1795) of the Qing Dynasty. It is the largest Tin Hau Temple in Tai Po.

Wun Yiu Village

Wun Yiu was once a centre of porcelain industry in the New Territories. As early as the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), the blue and white porcelain had been started manufactured there. The industry declined in the early 20th century due to the competition from good quality and inexpensive porcelain produced by other coastal kilns in Guangdong. The kilns at Wun Yiu finally ceased to operate in 1932.

The Fan Sin Temple at Wun Yiu was built to worship Fan Sin Tai Sze, the patron saint of potters, and is the only temple of this kind that exists in Hong Kong. It has a history of over 200 years and was declared a monument in 1999.

Wun Yiu is an important archaeological site in Hong Kong. Archaeological investigations at Wun Yiu discovered the remains illustrating the complete process of porcelain production such as china clay quarrying pits, water-mills, animal-driven grinder, clay soaking tanks and dragon kilns. They all are important cultural heritage of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Railway Museum

Erected in 1913, the Hong Kong Railway Museum was once the Tai Po Market Station of the ex-Kowloon Canton Railway. Different from other stations that were built in British style, the station building of the old Tai Po Market Station features the pitched roof of traditional Chinese building.

The station was declared a monument in 1984. It was refurbished and opened as a museum the following year. There you may explore the history of the local railway transportation, and find various exhibits including the historic station building, six historical coaches, a narrow gauge steam locomotive and a diesel electric engine No.51.

Tai Wong Yeh Temple

Yuen Chau Tsai was once an island where fishermen in Tai Po anchored their boats in surrounding waters.

The Tai Wong Yeh Temple is situated next to the Island House in Yuen Chau Tsai. Its history can be dated back to the middle of the Qing Dynasty. The Temple was originally a stone tablet erected on the north shore of Yuen Chau Tsai by villagers of the Chik Mei Village located north of the Shenzhen River. In the late Qing Dynasty, a group of fishermen raised funds to build the temple at the present location for worshipping Tai Wong Yeh.

Since the 1930s, on the 6th day of the fifth lunar month each year, the fishermen staged Cantonese operas to celebrate the Tai Wong Yeh Festival. It is a major event for both local fishermen and residents.

Tai Hang

Tai Hang Village was set up by the Mans (文), who are the descendents of Man Tin-cheung, a renowned patriotic general in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The Man Ancestral Hall was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and has been the venue for worshipping ancestors, holding ceremonies and administering clan affairs for the whole clan. The ancestral hall was renovated in 2005 and over 300 pictures were painted in the hall by a famous Chinese painter. To commemorate Man Tin-cheung, the Man Shan Park was also built next to the ancestral hall.

The Fui Sha Wai in Tai Hang is the most intact walled village in Tai Po. The village was believed to be built some 500 years ago. The enclosing walls and watch towers were constructed of green bricks and gave protection to villagers resided inside from bandits and enemy villagers.

Tai Po Central Shopping Area

There are a number of shopping malls at the large-scaled residential developments on both sides of Lam Tsuen River. The malls are connected by footbridges and offer a full range of products and services.

Tai Po Mega Mall is the largest shopping centre in Tai Po. It is formed by five different zones, in alphabetical order. With over 50,000 square meters of retail space, the Mall houses a diversified mix of famous retailers in Hong Kong. Special events are often held there on festive days.

In Tai Po Plaza, Fortune Plaza and Plover Cove Garden, you may encounter another kind of shopping experience, offered by a variety of non-chained stores and food outlets.

Tai Po Hui Market and Cooked Food Centre

The Tai Po Hui Market and Cooked Food Centre is a modern Hong Kong-style market. The three-storey market occupies a total floor area of 12,000 square metres and houses over 300 stalls. Given its large scale, fully air-conditioned environment and favourably-priced products, the Market has become a popular place for shoppers from both inside and outside Tai Po.

On the ground and first floors of the Market, large and small stalls offer a wide range of food and non-food commodities including fishes, meats, siu mei and lo mei, poultry, fruits, vegetables, flowers and household items. The variety of fish products offered is second to none. The second floor houses a cooked-food centre, comprising 40 stalls providing typical Chinese delicacies.

Opening hours: Market: 6am - 8pm; Cooked Food Centre: 6am - 2am

Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve

The Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, measuring over 460 hectares, is heavily wooded with more than 100 species of trees. Within the Reserve there are a number of walks built in quiet and unspoiled surroundings. Also, there is the Nature Trail for visitors and students to learn about different species of plants and trees. The Reserve is also one of the best places in Hong Kong for bird, butterfly and firefly watching.

Tolo Harbour Cycling Track

Tai Po District has a comprehensive network of cycling tracks, including the Tolo Harbour Cycling Track. It runs from the town centre of Sha Tin to Tai Po Market via the Hong Kong Science Park, extending to the Tai Po Waterfront Park and Tai Mei Tuk. To begin their journeys, visitors can either rent a bicycle in Sha Tin or Tai Po Market. As they cycle along the track, they can not only admire the beautiful seaside scenery of the Tolo Harbour but also set their eyes on the great Pat Sin Leng and the huge dam of the Plover Cove Reservoir in the distance.

King Law Ka Shuk

King Law Ka Shuk is located at Tai Po Tau and was declared a monument in August 1998.

King Law Ka Shuk was built by the Tang's clan of the New Territories. It is said to be built by the 13th generation of the Tang's clan, in memory of their 10th generation ancestor, Tang King Law. A traditional three-hall building with two open courtyards, it fully reflects the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Restoration work has been conducted at King Law Ka Shuk with focus on the ancestral altar built in 1932. The six-storey ancestral altar houses Tang's ancestors' soul tablets which were finely carved. The restoration project was recognized as the winner of the Award of Merit of UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation.

Sam Mun Tsai and Ma Shi Chau

Sam Mun Tsai is a fishing village. With the use of advanced technology, fishermen there raise various species of fish in rafts. From Sam Mun Tsai, visitors can gaze across the sea to the dam of the Plover Cove Reservoir. They can take a stroll along its seaside or sail a boat in the nearby waters while enjoying the sunset or the sunrise.

Sam Mun Tsai is an important transit point to the Hong Kong Geopark. The Tai Po Geoheritage Centre located in the village was renovated and reopened in March 2011. Information panels in the centre illustrate the geology, ecology, culture and history of the area around Sam Mun Tsai. Rock specimens collected from nearby Ma Shi Chau are also exhibited, while guided tours are also offered.

Ma Shi Chau, which is also known as the "Outdoor Geological Museum", is just half hour away from Sam Mun Tsai by foot, via a footpath and a tombolo. The Ma Shi Chau Nature Trail, which runs along the southeastern shore of the island and is 1.5 kilometres in length, presents 16 attractions which highlight local geological features. By observing the rocks on site and reading trailside interpretation plates, visitors can understand how tombolos and various rocks are formed, as well as natural phenomena like wave erosion, weathering and folding.

Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve

Situated about 2 kilometres from the centre of Tai Po, Fung Yuen was designated as a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" as early as 1980. It is a famous location for watching butterflies in Asia. There are nearly 180 butterfly species and about 50 of these are not commonly seen in Hong Kong.

In 2005, with the funding from the Environment and Conservation Fund, the Tai Po Environmental Asoociation established the Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve on 2 hectares of private land for butterfly and environmental conservation.

Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm