While first-time visitors flock to Central and Kowloon, many know much of Hong Kong's allure lies beyond its urban core.
A visit to Hong Kong's New Territories is not just a day trip but an essential chapter in the city's story. The northern region is Hong Kong's pantry, where lovingly grown ingredients inspire rustic dishes and activities range from volcanic geoparks to heritage trails, easily accessible from the moment you land.
Encompassing most of Hong Kong's land mass, the region is a striking contrast to the bustle of central Hong Kong and a land of dualities: ancient fishing villages and eco-spas, hiking trails and street-side hawkers with sizzling woks.
As Hong Kong prepares to host The World's 50 Best Bars 2025, sponsored by Perrier, this guide promises a sensory-packed tour of the region, beyond the tourist traps and neon lights.
1. Head to the beach in Tuen Mun
Island hop around the sandy shores of Tuen Mun (Image: Hong Kong Tourism Board)
Loved by locals for its lazy seaside vibes, Tuen Mun is where you'll find broad promenades along Castle Peak Bay and swoon-worthy spots for catching the sunset along the Gold Coast. There's also the picturesque Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, often called Thousand Island Lake for its island-dotted scenery.
2. Dig into seafood in Sai Kung
Indulge in fresh seafood in Sai Kung (Image: E for Eat)
Sai Kung is your next stop if you're obsessed with seafood, but it's also home to the geologically striking Hong Kong Unesco Global Geopark, its islands best explored by speedboat. In the town centre, the pier buzzes: watch live seafood being cooked outside waterfront restaurants and wander streets lined cheek by jowl with artisan cafés and boutiques. There's also Kau Sai Chau Golf Course, one of Asia's few public golf facilities, easy to reach in just 15 minutes by ferry from Sai Kung Pier.
3. Feast in the old market town of Tai Po
Head to Tai Po for a traditional cha chaan teng meal (Image: Tasting Kitchen Media)
This market town houses a legendary food centre where the air hums with the aroma of congee and crispy fried dough sticks, shrimp wonton noodles and some of Hong Kong's finest char siu. After exploring its dried seafood stalls and bean curd workshops, complete your visit at a local cha chaan teng for Hong Kong staples: rich yin yeung (coffee-tea mix), golden-brown French toast dripping with butter and warm pineapple buns with a crisp, sugary top.
4. Head up Hong Kong's highest peak for dumplings
Climb Hong Kong's highest peak to find Duen Kee Chinese Restaurant (Image: Yahoo Lifestyle)
This area blends heritage with reinvention, home to The Mills – a former cotton-spinning factory that now houses craft coffee brewers. It's also the gateway to a classic culinary experience: a trip up Tai Mo Shan (Hong Kong's highest peak) for yum cha at Duen Kee Chinese Restaurant. The experience is gloriously retro: patrons often select their own bamboo baskets of har gow (shrimp dumplings) and Hakka cha kwo (glutinous rice dumplings) from the self-service steaming counters to have alongside famously sweet, mountain-grown watercress. Nearby, experience the spiritual serenity of Tsing Shan Monastery, one of Hong Kong's oldest Buddhist temples.
5. Visit Hong Kong's last whole-hog roast barbecue
Stop at Yueng Long for beef balls along the Ping Shan Heritage Trail
Yuen Long artfully connects its past with enduring culinary passion. The Ping Shan Heritage Trail – showcasing Hong Kong's oldest pagoda – sits moments from historic food institutions. Yuen Long is renowned for Shinglee's springy beef balls, deeply aromatic roast goose from Tin Hung and the whole-roasted suckling pig at Red Seasons, the last remaining whole-pig barbecue, roasted in a stone pit oven. Beyond the table, the Nam Sang Wai wetlands and sunset panoramas at Ha Pak Nai provide a serene contrast to urban life.
6. Embark on a scenic bike ride through the bay
Cycle through the bays along the Shing Mun River path (Image: Hong Kong Tourism Board)
At the heart of Sha Tin is the family-friendly Shing Mun River bicycle path, which serves beautiful vistas over some of Hong Kong's prettiest islands. Cyclists can detour to Tai Wai, known for its iconic roasted pigeon – a crispy-skinned delicacy best enjoyed at traditional Cantonese eateries. Alternatively, refuel with a bowl of dou fu fa (sweet tofu pudding) drizzled with ginger syrup from local vendors. For cultural immersion, the vibrant Che Kung Temple buzzes with worshippers during festivals, its giant prayer wheels turning amidst clouds of incense, while the Hong Kong Heritage Museum provides deeper insights into the region's artistic legacy.
7. Venture into the Islands District
The Islands District is another must-visit area outside of central Hong Kong (Image: Hong Kong Tourism Board)
While technically its own region, the Islands District shares the New Territories' spirit. Beyond Lantau's Ngong Ping cable car and the famous 34-metre-tall Tian Tan Buddha statue, don't miss the historic fishing village of Tai O, where stilt houses perch above tidal flats and traditional shrimp paste is produced. Here, boat tours weave through canals, and streets overflow with dried seafood snacks. The Tai O Heritage Hotel, a converted 1902 police station, offers afternoon tea with local delicacies and Peng Chau's quirky artistic transformation – where a former leather factory houses indie boutiques – adds to the area's eclectic charm.
8. Embark on a gastronomic feast
The MacLehose Trail boasts stunning views and gastronomic delights (Image: Oasis Trek)
Experience the region's bounty along the 100km MacLehose Trail. The route is as much a gastronomic tour as a hike, intersecting with village roads that lead to rustic dai pai dongs (traditional Hong Kong eateries) serving icy milk tea and wok-hei-laden fried rice, plus family farms selling seasonal fruit.
The list of The World's 50 Best Bars 2025, sponsored by Perrier, will be revealed at a live awards ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday 8 October.
