Hong Kong New Territories China

Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon after Typhoon York in Hong Kong

Our New Terrritories tour group gathered at YMCA International House next to the Peninsula Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui just after 9 a.m. one Saturday.

The first tour stop was at an old temple. As I was going from the parking area towards the stairs to the temple forecourt, this older, sadder staircase caught my attention.

Typhoon York, the strongest typhoon in 40 years, had hit Hong Kong with top winds of 234 kph (142 mph) a week or so before my visit, and signs of flooding and landslides were evident on the hillsides.

With several large hotels and office buildings showing cracked plate glass windows and other storm damage, I had to wonder how the residents of these ramshackle dwellings could withstand typhoons.

New Territories  Hong Kong China ~ Old Temple Statue  of Woman

This style of statue is similar to ones seen in Macau; it appears to be carved from wood, and hand painted.

As tours leave Tsim Sha Tsui, they pass the enormous container port area and several of the massive housing developments, many of them subsidized by the government.

Our guide pointed out the enormous complex at Mei Foo, built on a former oil depot, saying it has its own MTR (subway) stop in the complex. At the time of my visit, it housed some 70,000.

Beyond Mei Foo, we passed Tsuen Wan MTR and Tsuen Wan West.

Apartments are about 500-700 sq.ft., and shared with several family members.

Most units are not air-conditioned, so there's no relief from Hong Kong's heat.

Tour on your own: Take MTR to Tseun Wan for Sam Tung Uk Museum, a restored Hakka walled village.

Temple Gardeners Hong Kong China New Territories Tour China

At the Temple, we went up the stairs, past the statue of the pretty lady.

Our tour group entered this patio area leading to the temple, where a group of workers were repotting and tending the container garden.

Only one or two of them were actually working; the others just looked on.

This scene prompted a comment from one member of our tour group:

"Wow, just like at home: One person working and the others standing around watching."

Altar Inside Old Temple En Route to New Territories Hong KongChina Day Trip

Main altar inside the temple; other smaller altars lined the temple interior.

These other altars were like shrines, each dedicated to one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac.

Most of us had our photos taken with 'our' Chinese god.

This temple is dedicated to all three religions, stated our guide, then didn't name them, begging the question: Which 'three' main religions? Buddhism, certainly, but I don't know which other two he had in mind.

The Wishing Tree - Banyan Prayer Tree New Territories Landmark

From the temple, our tour bus headed further inland on the highway, then turned onto a narrower route to reach the Wishing Tree.

Here, we all were encouraged to make a cash donation to receive one of the new oranges to which was attached a paper prayer banner.

Then, spreading out around the base of the tree, we proceeded to toss the orange-weighted prayer flag high into the banyan's branches.

This is not as easy as you would think, as evidenced by the large number of prayer flags clustered along the lower trunk.

The tree canopy is fairly high, and several times, oranges came raining down, fluttering flags in tow.

No tourists were hurt in the process. In any event, the 'exercise' did us bus travelers good, and we were all pleased to have taken part in this hands-on cultural experience.

New Territories Hakka Walled Village Hong Kong China Tour

With the usual day tour route via a mountain road currently closed due to recent typhoon damage, our bus driver followed a secondary road to tour this old walled village, still inhabited by Hakka.

Another tropical storm was heading towards Hong Kong, its progress closely watched.

Early that morning, our hotel notified guests that the Hong Kong Observatory had raised the storm's status to a No. 3 flag.

Our guide explained the flag rating system, which differs from the North American - Caribbean (Saffir-Simpson) hurricane scale that uses categories one through five.

"Number 1 means there's a storm brewing," he said."Number 3 means the storm is organized, with winds of 70-80 knots (80-90 mph). No. 8 means wind and rain, No. 10 is a severe tropical storm amd No. 12, well, let's hope it never gets to No. 12."

Normally, he said, tours are canceled when the No. 3 flag is posted. However, he continually monitored the observatory phone line to check for further increases, at which time we would abandon the balance of the tour and immediately head back to Hong Kong.

Walled Village Abandoned Hakka Home New Territories

One of the derelict homes in the walled Hakka village.

The 1,008 sq km (389 square miles) New Territories is now becoming an urban housing development community for some 4 million and counting, many of whom work in Hong Kong.

There's lots of green space in Hong Kong and the New Territories, including rustic resorts and campgrounds.

Different Style Doorway :: Walled Village New Territories

As we walked along the laneways in the old Hakka village, our guide paused from time to time to explain details of the various homes and construction styles.


The photo above shows a wooden door frame; the one pictured here is built of stone, with ceramic details.

Hakka Village Free Range Chickens ~ Hong Kong NT Farm Animals

As always, animal life draws my attention.

Ignoring our presence, these chickens continued feeding.

Empty Wire Animal Cages at Hakka Village Hong Kong New Territories

Though some houses were vacant shells, most appeared to be occupied, though we never encountered any inhabitants during the hour we were there.

Perhaps they stay indoors when tours visit; perhaps it was meal time. These wire cages raised above the ground caught my eye, though I couldn't tell what animal they housed.

Typhoon Harbour Near Tai Po New Territories Hong Kong China

Hong Kong has a number of these Typhoon Harbours.

This harbour is near the New Territories village of Tai Po, on a river that flows into Tolo Harbour.

When typhoon flags are raised to one of the higher levels, boats move into these harbours to escape the storm.

Tai Po was first settled by Tanka boat people more than 1,000 years ago.

This photo shows a closer look at the large 'floating village' out in the harbour.

Wide View of Hong Kong Typhoon Harbour Tai Po New Territories

From the close up above, this wide shot photo gives an idea of the broad harbour that provides safe haven during storms.

With our tour abbreviated due to the closure of the mountain road, we had time to spare, so we were able to wander out on the long breakwater sea wall for a closer look.

Sha Tin Race Track New Territories Hong Kong China

Horse racing is very popular in Hong Kong, notably at the venerable Happy Valley race track located in Hong Kong proper.

Sha Tin Race Track is built on reclaimed land, originally 14 feet below sea level.

Like much else in Hong Kong, it can be easily reached by MTR (Sha Tin stop).

Our New Terrtiories day tour included Cantonese style lunch, served in an upper level banquet room at the Sha Tin Clubhouse.

All in all, a tour of the Hong Kong New Territories is a great day trip, with more attractions added each year.

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