The Ultimate 7 days Hong Kong itinerary for first time travellers – Day 5 (Exploring New Territories)

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Introduction: Hong Kong’s Hidden Side

By now you’ve seen Hong Kong’s iconic skyline, its bustling markets, and its tranquil islands. But to truly understand the city, you need to venture into the New Territories — the vast region that makes up nearly 90% of Hong Kong’s land area. Stretching from the Kowloon hills to the border with mainland China, the New Territories are a patchwork of rural villages, wetlands, mountains, and fishing towns. This is where Hong Kong’s history runs deepest: clan halls that date back centuries, walled villages that once defended against pirates, and landscapes that have remained unchanged for generations.

For many visitors, the New Territories are a revelation. They show that Hong Kong is not just a hyper‑modern metropolis but also a place of heritage, nature, and community. Today’s journey takes you from the market town of Tai Po to the seafood haven of Sai Kung, through the dramatic landscapes of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, and finally to Sha Tin, where you’ll end the day with a comforting local dinner.

Breakfast in Tai Po: Market Energy & Local Flavors

  • Street view in Tai Po with mid‑rise residential buildings, market stalls selling fruits and vegetables, and pedestrians walking along the busy sidewalk.
    Everyday life in Tai Po — traditional market stalls and aging mid‑rise blocks create a snapshot of authentic New Territories living.
  • Bustling pedestrian street in Tai Po lined with shops, including a Circle K convenience store, clothing stores, and food vendors, with crowds of people walking.
    The lively streets of Tai Po, where convenience stores, local eateries, and neighborhood shops buzz with daily activity.
  • Peaceful riverside scene in Tai Po with a stone embankment, tree‑lined walkway, small bridge, and people strolling along the Lam Tsuen River.
    A quieter side of Tai Po — the Lam Tsuen River promenade offers a calm escape from the district’s bustling markets and streets.

Your day begins in Tai Po, a lively town in the northeastern New Territories. Once a small fishing village, Tai Po grew into a bustling market hub during the Qing dynasty, and it still retains that role today. The town is a fascinating blend of old and new: traditional wet markets sit beside modern malls, and ancestral halls are tucked away behind busy streets.

Tai Po Hui Market Complex, a multi story market, is the beating heart of the town. On the ground floors, vendors sell everything from fresh seafood to exotic fruits, while upstairs the cooked food centre buzzes with locals grabbing breakfast.

What to try:

  • Cheung fun (rice noodle rolls): Soft, slippery noodles drizzled with soy sauce, sesame, and hoisin.
  • Congee with century egg and pork: A comforting bowl of rice porridge, silky and savory.
  • Hong Kong‑style milk tea: Strong, smooth, and slightly sweet — the perfect wake‑up drink.

👉 Why Tai Po: Starting here gives you a taste of everyday life in the New Territories. It’s less polished than Central or Tsim Sha Tsui, but that’s exactly the charm.

Morning in Tai Po: Culture & Nature

Red and white diesel locomotive No. 60 on display at the Hong Kong Railway Museum in Tai Po, with black and yellow striped front and trees in the background.
Taipo Railway Museum
Colorful flower beds with purple blooms at Tai Po Waterfront Park, bordered by wooden logs and gravel paths, with tall trees and a wooden walkway in the background.
Taipo Waterfront Park
Taipo Railway Museum
Spiral observation tower at Tai Po Waterfront Park, with a wooden ramp encircling a central spire, landscaped gardens, and mountains in the background.
Hong Kong Lookout Tower located in the Taipo Waterfront Park
Wide grassy lawn at Tai Po Waterfront Park during sunset, with people walking and relaxing under scattered clouds, trees lining the horizon, and soft golden light creating a serene atmosphere.
Beautiful lawn, with people flying kites and simply relaxing in the Taipo Waterfront Park

Staying in Tai Po, the area is dotted with historic temples, ancestral halls, and remnants of old market streets that speak to its past as a trading hub for surrounding villages. At the same time, Tai Po is blessed with natural beauty: it sits at the head of Tolo Harbour, framed by mountains and reservoirs, making it one of the best gateways to outdoor adventures in Hong Kong. This dual character — heritage and nature side by side — makes Tai Po an ideal base for exploring the New Territories without straying too far afield.

  • Tai Po Old Market & Man Mo Temple (Tai Po): This smaller Man Mo Temple dates back to the late 19th century and reflects the town’s heritage as a trading hub. The surrounding Old Market area still carries echoes of Tai Po’s past, with narrow lanes and traditional shops.
  • Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees: A short bus ride from Tai Po town, these centuries‑old banyan trees are covered in red papers tied with wishes. During Lunar New Year, locals throw joss paper tied to oranges into the branches for good luck, making it one of the most colorful traditions in the New Territories.
  • Hong Kong Railway Museum (Tai Po): Housed in the former Tai Po Market Railway Station (built in 1913), this open‑air museum showcases restored train carriages, a steam locomotive, and exhibits on the Kowloon–Canton Railway. The preserved station building is a declared monument, and admission is free.
  • Tai Po Waterfront Park: Stretching along the Lam Tsuen River and Tolo Harbour, this 22‑hectare park features themed gardens, a model boat pool, and a spiral lookout tower with panoramic views. The wide lawns and promenade make it a favorite spot for cycling, kite‑flying, and family picnics.
  • Tai Mei Tuk & Plover Cove Reservoir: Rent a bike in Tai Po and cycle along the scenic Tolo Harbour promenade to Tai Mei Tuk. At the end, the Plover Cove Reservoir is framed by dramatic hills and is a popular spot for barbecues, picnics, and water sports.

Whether you choose heritage or nature, Tai Po offers a slower, more authentic pace than the city. If you want to spend more time discovering the beauty of Tai Po, click here for a detailed guide written by us on how to do that.

Walking from the Taipo Market MTR station to the Railway Museum then to the Waterfront Park takes about 40 minutes. You can take a taxi from the Waterfront Park directly to Sai Kung (our next stop) for lunch.

Lunch in Sai Kung: Seafood by the Sea

When you are starting to feel hungry, it’s time to take a bus or taxi (about 40 minutes to an hour) from Taipo to Sai Kung, often called Hong Kong’s “back garden.” This laid‑back fishing town is famous for its seafood restaurants and relaxed coastal vibe.  Along the promenade, fishermen sell their catch directly from boats, while restaurants display tanks of live fish, crabs, and lobsters. You can pick your seafood and have it cooked to order.

What to order:

  • Steamed fish with ginger and soy — delicate and perfectly Cantonese.
  • Razor clams with garlic and vermicelli.
  • Salt and pepper mantis shrimp.
  • Stir‑fried squid with chili.
  • Atmosphere: Families and groups of friends gather for long, leisurely lunches, often with cold beer and plenty of laughter.

👉 Why Sai Kung: It’s not just about the food — the harbor views, bobbing fishing boats, and relaxed pace make it a refreshing contrast to the city.

 Afternoon: Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark

Rocky tombolo path at Sharp Island connecting to the small Kiu Tau islet, with people walking across the stone causeway surrounded by calm sea and distant hills.
Walking the Sharp Island tombolo.
Uneven rocky causeway at Sharp Island stretching across the water toward a green, forested headland under an overcast sky.
The famous “Pineapple Bun” Rock, formed from historical volcanic eruptions.
Winding path with green railings leading through lush greenery down to Hap Man Bay on Sharp Island, with forested hills and calm bay waters in the background.
Trail descending towards Hap Mun Bay.

After lunch, it’s time to explore one of Hong Kong’s most extraordinary natural treasures: the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. Established in 2009 and recognized by UNESCO in 2011, the park covers 50 square kilometers of dramatic landscapes, from volcanic rock columns to wave‑carved sea arches. The park is divided into two main regions — the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region, famous for its hexagonal rock columns formed 140 million years ago, and the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region, with striking cliffs and sea caves.

To explore the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, you can take a boat tour from the Sai Kung Pier. These take you around High Island Reservoir, Ung Kong Group, and Ninepin Group, where you’ll see towering rock formations and sea arches. Alternatively, you can visit the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark on foot, the most popular option is to hike Stage 1 or 2 of the MacLehose Trail, which passes through the Sai Kung East Country Park.

Islands to visit:

  • Sharp Island: Known for its unique tombolo — a natural sandbar that appears at low tide — Sharp Island lets you walk across the sea to a smaller islet. The island also has volcanic rock formations, pebble beaches, and calm waters that make it a favorite for swimming and snorkeling. Click here for a detailed guide on visiting the Sharp Island written by us.
  • Ninepin Islands: Remote and rugged, the Ninepins are a cluster of small islands famed for their dramatic sea caves, arches, and towering hexagonal rock columns. Because of their location, they’re usually visited on guided boat tours, making them feel like a true off‑the‑beaten‑path adventure.
  • Ung Kong Group: This trio of islands — Bluff Island, Wang Chau, and Basalt Island — is celebrated for its towering sea stacks, sheer cliffs, and crystal‑clear waters. The dramatic volcanic scenery makes it one of the most photogenic corners of the geopark and a favorite with kayakers and divers.

👉 Tip: If you’re short on time, a half‑day boat tour from Sai Kung is the easiest way to see the highlights.

Dinner in Sha Tin: Local Comfort Food

After your Geopark adventure, head back inland to Sha Tin, one of the New Territories’ major hubs. From Sai Kung, you can take a minibus or taxi to Sha Tin in about 30–40 minutes. Alternatively, take bus 299X from the Sai Kung Bus Terminus to Sha Tin, the ride shall last roughly an hour or so. Sha Tin is known for its mix of modern malls and traditional eateries, making it a great place to end the day with a hearty meal. In the evening, you can also enjoy a stroll along the Shing Mun River promenade or explore the lively shopping scene, both of which stay active well into the night

What to eat:

  • Shing Kee Noodles: A humble shop famous for its beef brisket noodles. The broth is rich and aromatic, simmered for hours, and the brisket is melt‑in‑your‑mouth tender.
  • Lung Wah Hotel: A retro institution dating back to the 1950s, best known for its roast pigeon — crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and served with a tangy dipping sauce. Dining here feels like stepping back in time.
  • New Town Plaza: For variety, this massive mall offers everything from dim sum to Japanese ramen. It’s a lively spot popular with families and students.

👉 Why Sha Tin: It’s convenient, authentic, and offers a range of dining experiences — from nostalgic to modern.

Evening: Shing Mun River Promenade

End your day with a leisurely stroll along the Shing Mun River Promenade, the wide riverside walkway that runs through the heart of Sha Tin. In the evenings, the path comes alive with joggers, cyclists, and families enjoying the open space, while the calm river reflects the city lights and nearby hills. Along the way, you’ll also pass ClubONE Riviera, a striking floating‑style restaurant built to resemble a ship, which has long been a local landmark on the river. Lit up at night, it adds a touch of spectacle to the waterfront and makes the promenade feel even more atmospheric. It’s a relaxed, scenic way to wind down after a day of exploring, offering a peaceful alternative to the busier tourist waterfronts like Tsim Sha Tsui.

Wrap‑Up: The Other Hong Kong

Day 5 takes you beyond the skyscrapers and into the heart of the New Territories. From the market bustle of Tai Po to the seafood feasts of Sai Kung, from the ancient landscapes of the Geopark to the comfort food of Sha Tin, you’ve seen a side of Hong Kong that many visitors miss. It’s a reminder that this city is not just a global financial hub, but also a place of deep traditions, natural wonders, and communities that have thrived for centuries. After a long day, it’s time to rest up and get ready for experiencing the Islands life on Day 6.

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