Wetlands, New Towns and Heritage Trails
... a bicycle ride through the wetlands, old villages and new towns of Hong Kong's northwestern New Territories.
Unavoidably, the ride starts with a 20-minute crossing of Yuen Long’s housing and industrial estates, most of which will be on bicycle paths.
Soon, however, we emerge into the open as we make our way along a series of fish pond dikes. The road is rough, but we will be bringing a
puncture repair kit… While you should look out for pot holes, you mustn’t forget to check out the bird life. Recent sightings include the Black-
capped Kingfisher, Cormorants, White Wagtails and Crested Mynas.
Beyond the ponds we reach the Boarder Fence. While it should keep out illegal immigrants, it will also prevent us from crashing into the
mangroves along the Shan Pui River. The fence might spoil the view a little, but we can always look to the other side, where egrets, herons
and other wetland birds hang out.
Turning away from the fence, we face the only proper hill of the day as we join Deep Bay Road. Participants must be assured that getting off
the bike to push it the last bit does not involve a loss of face. Indeed, at the top of the hill, those who so desire might abandon their bikes to
visit the Tsim Bei Tsui lookout. The view over the wetlands and into Shenzhen is magnificent – and well worth the effort needed to climb the
256 steps.
From the lookout, it is generally downhill to Mong Tseng Wai, a traditional New Territory village where new buildings mix effortlessly with
really ancient ones. Following a brief refreshment stop, we next join the nice level bicycle paths around the giant new dormitory town of Tin
Shui Wai to reach our picnic stop at Ha Tsuen.
After a look around the many old structures in this (formerly) walled village that is now surrounded by container storage yards, we head for
the Ping Shan Heritage Trail. This trail links a number of traditional Chinese structures providing the curious with an opportunity to recapture
aspects of life in the New Territories in the old days. Unique monuments along the trail include the Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda, the Tang Clan
Ancestral Hall and the still walled village of Sheung Cheung Wai.
Our day ends with brief ride along bicycle paths into the centre of Yuen Long from where comfortable buses depart every few minutes to
Kowloon and Hong Kong island.
... a bicycle ride through the wetlands, old villages and new towns of Hong Kong's northwestern New Territories.
Unavoidably, the ride starts with a 20-minute crossing of Yuen Long’s housing and industrial estates, most of which will be on bicycle paths.
Soon, however, we emerge into the open as we make our way along a series of fish pond dikes. The road is rough, but we will be bringing a
puncture repair kit… While you should look out for pot holes, you mustn’t forget to check out the bird life. Recent sightings include the Black-
capped Kingfisher, Cormorants, White Wagtails and Crested Mynas.
Beyond the ponds we reach the Boarder Fence. While it should keep out illegal immigrants, it will also prevent us from crashing into the
mangroves along the Shan Pui River. The fence might spoil the view a little, but we can always look to the other side, where egrets, herons
and other wetland birds hang out.
Turning away from the fence, we face the only proper hill of the day as we join Deep Bay Road. Participants must be assured that getting off
the bike to push it the last bit does not involve a loss of face. Indeed, at the top of the hill, those who so desire might abandon their bikes to
visit the Tsim Bei Tsui lookout. The view over the wetlands and into Shenzhen is magnificent – and well worth the effort needed to climb the
256 steps.
From the lookout, it is generally downhill to Mong Tseng Wai, a traditional New Territory village where new buildings mix effortlessly with
really ancient ones. Following a brief refreshment stop, we next join the nice level bicycle paths around the giant new dormitory town of Tin
Shui Wai to reach our picnic stop at Ha Tsuen.
After a look around the many old structures in this (formerly) walled village that is now surrounded by container storage yards, we head for
the Ping Shan Heritage Trail. This trail links a number of traditional Chinese structures providing the curious with an opportunity to recapture
aspects of life in the New Territories in the old days. Unique monuments along the trail include the Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda, the Tang Clan
Ancestral Hall and the still walled village of Sheung Cheung Wai.
Our day ends with brief ride along bicycle paths into the centre of Yuen Long from where comfortable buses depart every few minutes to
Kowloon and Hong Kong island.
Download Reservation Form here or click here to request more information.
| ... exploring Hong Kong's other side... |
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