Hidden hideaway in Hong Kong
Hidden hideaway in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s frenzied and staggeringly steep streets may not be the most bicycle-friendly on the planet, but cyclists have abundant countryside trails to enjoy a short distance from the towering metropolis.
A pedal-powered excursion is the best way to escape the island’s urban hustle and absorb the serenity of low-lying wetlands, bisected by waterways that are brimming with plant and birdlife. The New Territories is an ideal place to accomplish a relaxing rural escape.
A half-day, two-wheel jaunt takes guests to Yuen Long, a town closer to the mainland metropolis of Shenzhen than it is to Hong Kong island’s iconic skyscrapers. This is way off the tourist trail and it features an undeveloped landscape frequented by trekkers, bird watchers and nature-loving families.
The outing starts with a rendezvous with the guide at the Yuen Long Mass Transit Railway Station. Kitted out and briefed by an expert, it is time to ride alongside a tree-lined lane adjoining the Kam Tin River. The journey continues across the Sha Pui River on a small wooden ferry to Nam Sang Wai, an area that is home to a wealth of fish ponds and wafting reeds.
The route takes in tiny farms, mudflats and salt marshes – an environment that is a million miles away from Hong Kong’s frenetic life. After an average two-hour ride, the end point is Yuen Long Station. After a tasty lunch, travel back to respective hotels is by rail.
This sustainable activity uses local transport, well-maintained bicycles and it financially benefits local communities.
