The Sai Kung Penninsula (西貢; pinyin: xi1 gong4; Cantonese: sai1 gung3), is located in the New Territories and is the second-largest of the 18 districts of Hong Kong.
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2 Islands 3 Local and tourist attractions 4 Transport 5 Miscellaneous 6 External links |
The peninsula spans approximately 126 km² and has a population of 316,000 as of 2000.
In contrast to the densely populated areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, Sai Kung is a coastal district characterised by beautiful scenery, charming small villages and stunning seascapes. The area is well known to Hong Kong locals for its pristine beaches and quiet living, such that while it remains only partly urbanized, many people describe Sai Kung as the "last back garden" of Hong Kong.
But in additional to this beautiful garden, Tseung Kwan O or Junk Bay is also part of Sai Kung. It is the portion connecting Sai Kung Peninsula with the metro area in Kowloon. Junk Bay used to be a usual bay area in Sai Kung, but quite near to the famous seafood village Lei Yue Mun. At 1977, the Hong Kong Government started a major development project in this area, to develop it into the 7th Hong Kong Territory Development in Hong Kong. Reclaimation covered the whole bay area, and it has become a district able to accomidate 300,000 population, accounting for 95% of total population in the district. This new reclaimation land is renamed to Tseung Kwan O, the present name. The MTR metro is extended to this newly developed area as well, making access to Sai Kung easier via Tseung Kwan O.
On summer nights, a lot of people hire small boats known as kaitos or sampan, some to catch cuttle-fish which is a popular pastime for local residents, others for leisurely trips through the island-dotted inland sea of Port Shelter. Popular islands to visit include:
There are numerous cultural sites, heritage sites and country parks in the Sai Kung peninsula, such as:
Sai Kung is also a popular place for hiking. The starting point for the 100km MacLehose Trail is at Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung.
There are also water sports sites along the shoreline offering kayaking, snorkelling and swimming among other activities. In addition, Sai Kung’s Hoi Ha Wan (海下灣) is one of the most easily accessed coral dive sites in Hong Kong. It is suitable for diver training and for newly-certified divers.
As a former fishing village, Sai Kung town is a mecca for seafood lovers, locals and tourists alike. Visitors can stroll around the regional market center of Sai Kung Town or explore the back lanes, visit the Tin Hau Temple, feast on seafood or enjoy different delicacies at Western-style pubs and restaurants.
Some of the most beautiful and thus isolated parts of Sai Kung Pennisula can only be reached on foot or by boat. Where a destination is accessible by public transport, it is usually served via a complicated web of bus routes. Certain bus routes can be found at [1].
Scheduled ferry services also operate between coastal points on the pennisula and in and around the islands: [1].
The nearest MTR station to Sai Kung town is Choi Hung. A number of buses boarded from outside the station travel to Sai Kung market.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, one of the eight publicly-funded tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, is located in Sai Kung.
Note that 西貢 were also the Chinese characters for Saigon, nowadays Ho Chi Minh City, the capital of Vietnam.
See also:
Geographical characteristics and population
Islands
The large island of Kau Sai Chau is the location for a public golf course developed and run by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Local and tourist attractions
In addition there are golf courses and nature trails. The golf driving range center in Ho Chung is popular with local residents and tourists. Visitors can also enjoy barbecues at Ho Chung. Transport
Miscellaneous
External links
