Most Hong Kong visitors concentrate on the urban core: Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok. But the New Territories (新界, Xīnjie) — the broad area between Kowloon and the mainland border — covers 86% of Hong Kong’s land area and contains country parks, ancient walled villages, freshwater marshes, and a coastline accessible within 40 minutes of the city centre by MTR.
The Maclehose Trail
The Maclehose Trail (麥理浩徑) is a 100km walking trail crossing the New Territories from Sai Kung to Tuen Mun — one of the world’s great urban hiking routes, passing through uninhabited ridgelines with views over both the South China Sea and the Pearl River Estuary.
Stage 1 (Pak Tam Chung to Long Ke): The most dramatic opening section — following the rugged Sai Kung coastline with views of multiple uninhabited islands. 10km, 3–4 hours.
Stage 2–3: Ridgeline walking with urban Hong Kong visible on the horizon — the contrast of wilderness and metropolis.
Stage 4: The highest section (MacLehose’s route crosses 702m Needle Hill). Views of Sha Tin New Town below and the harbour beyond.
Sai Kung Peninsula
Sai Kung (西貢) is Hong Kong’s most scenic area — a peninsula with no road access to many sections, white sandy beaches, uninhabited islands, and the seafood village of Sai Kung Town.
Sai Kung Town Seafood: Choose your live seafood from the tanks at waterfront restaurants and pay market price. Grouper, mantis shrimp, geoduck clams, and local crab — all fresh from the boats. More expensive than Kowloon seafood but the freshness and waterfront setting justify it.
Clear Water Bay: Accessible by green minibus 103 from Diamond Hill MTR — two beaches (Clear Water Bay First and Second Beach) with good swimming and views toward the Sai Kung headlands.
Ancient Walled Villages
The New Territories has 12,000-year-old settlement history and several extraordinarily well-preserved walled villages:
Kat Hing Wai (吉慶圍): In Yuen Long, a 500-year-old Hakka walled village still inhabited by the Tang clan descendants — original moat, watchtowers, and internal lane network. Admission ¥1 (the clan charges a token entry fee).
Sam Tung Uk (三棟屋): A Hakka walled village from the 18th century, now a museum in Tsuen Wan — fully preserved with period furnishings. Free entry.
Mai Po Nature Reserve
The Mai Po marshes at the northwestern tip of the New Territories — adjacent to the mainland border — are one of Asia’s most important wetland bird sites, particularly for winter migratory species (October–April).
Black-faced spoonbill, Saunders’s gull, bar-tailed godwit, red-necked stint — over 380 species recorded. Access via the WWF reserve requires advance booking (wwfhk.org).
Getting to the New Territories
All areas accessible by MTR or bus from Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The MTR East Rail line (境外郵輪碼頭 → Lo Wu / Lok Ma Chau) serves the northern New Territories. Minibuses serve remote coastal areas not on the MTR.
Also see: Hong Kong Complete Guide | Hong Kong Kowloon Guide | Hong Kong Day Trips Guide