New Territories Cultural Tour

Route: Kat Hing Wai Walled Village - Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree - Hong Kong Railway Museum (the old Tai Po Railway Station) - Che Kung Temple

Many people think Hong Kong is only a cosmopolitan city with its high-rise apartment blocks and busy roads; however, this is not the case. The New Territories, which lies between the Kowloon hills and the boundary with Mainland China, is an enormously diverse suburban area full of contrasts, a blend of traditional customs and modern ideas, of natural beauty and man-made achievements.

More than a century ago, this area was entirely rural, with small villages and farming fields dotted the landscape, homing to people who farmed rice, tea and other crops. Today, the area still abounds in rural beauty. Yet modern developments have made its mark. Sophisticated new towns exist alongside peaceful woodland.

Kat Hing Wai Walled Village is an old rectangle shaped village, circled by blue brick walls and a moat. It has a history of more than 500 years and now it is still inhabited by the descendents of Deng clan, one of the five great clans of the New Territories, who once built these walls to protect from invaders and wild beasts. It is recommended that you take MTR and get off at Kam Sheung Road Station, Exit B. Then walk to Kam Po Road through footbridge and then turn to Kam Sheung Road. It takes around 20 minutes from Kam Po Road to Kat Hing Wai.

After the old walled village, you are suggested to visit an interesting sight - Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree. Over here, you will see locals making wishes in a particular way. In old times, people make wishes by throwing the joss paper into trees during festivals and they believed that the higher the branch the joss paper landed on, the more likely it was the wish would come true. Now this sight is still very popular as people coming from all over Hong Kong try their luck in the trees here. Bus no. 64K could take you there with around one hour driving time from Kat Hing Wai Walled Village.

Taking bus no. 25K around half an hour, you will reach Hong Kong Railway Museum. It is housed in the old Tai Po Railway Station, where you could see photographs, old coaches, samples of tracks, and a full-size model of an electric train compartment, all of which are about Hong Kong's rail history. It is free for the public and closed on Tuesdays except holidays.

Then continue to Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin. Take the East Rail Line and transfer to Ma On Shan Line at Tai Wai Station, get off at Che Kung Temple Station, Exit B, then follow the signs and walk for around 10 minutes to reach the site. This huge temple is dedicated to Che Kung, a military commander of the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). The original temple was built some 300 years ago and it was expanded in 1993 to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers during Che Kung's festival (the second day of the Chinese Lunar New Year). Inside the main worship hall, there is a giant statue of Che Kung. People pay their respect to him and spin the golden bladed wheel of fortune to try their luck.

After finishing all the independent sightseeing, you could reverse back by MTR to Hong Kong Island or Kowloon.