Sai Kung: A Hidden Gem in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a big city with so much to offer to tourists. The amazing hikes, awesome shopping, gorgeous skyline views, excellent restaurants and interesting markets are only but a few of the attractions that draw visitors every year. The Sai Kung area on the east side of Kowloon is often overlooked in tourist guides. It is known as Hong Kong’s back garden, as it’s filled with beautiful hiking paths and beaches. It certainly has a much different vibe than the bustling downtown. Here is a list of some reasons why Sai Kung is a hidden gem in Hong Kong and why it is a great place to visit!

Sai Kung Bakery

This place is first on the list because it is one of the best bakeries in Hong Kong! This quaint storefront always has a lineup of people waiting to buy Portuguese-style egg tarts, pineapple buns (FYI: pineapple buns don’t taste like pineapples, they only look like them!) and other delicious baked goodies. There is nothing more delicious than a warm pineapple bun fresh out of the oven on a rainy day in Hong Kong!

Restaurants

The Sai Kung neighbourhood is packed with great restaurants! Cena Tapas Bar is a great place for an American-style brunch or Spanish tapas, and there are a ton of spots along the waterfront offering fresh fish dishes!

Fish Sales

At the Sai Kung pier, you can purchase seafood from fisherman selling their freshly-caught products from their boats in the water. For us tourists, it’s fun to watch! Locals yell their orders down to the fisherman, who are in their boats, and then send their money down in a bucket or fishing net.

The fish they ordered is then prepared (gutted, de-scaled, and wrapped in a bag), put in the same bucket and sent up to the customer. It was so fun to watch these interactions take place and observe the fisherman cutting up and preparing their catch.

Nearby islands

A big draw for both locals and tourists to Sai Kung are the nearby islands. There are various ferry companies waiting on the pier that take you over and pick you up at designated times. We really enjoyed our visit to Sharp Island. We hiked along the island, which offered some amazing views.

We also walked across a causeway that is only accessible when the tide is low. The whole area feels like a completely different city than Hong Kong!

BONUS: Nan Lian Gardens & Chi Lin Nunnery

Although this is not technically in Sai Kung, it is a mere 20 minutes away. The Nan Lian Gardens & Chi Lin Nunnery is one of the most picturesque, serene places in Hong Kong. It is a wonderful place to walk around, observe the many bonsai trees and gaze at the gorgeous temple in the centre of the park.

BONUS 2: The University Of Science And Technology

Also a short drive away from Sai Kung is the university campus that offers excellent views! We spent a few hours strolling around campus, taking in incredible waterfront views from different vantage points.

There is also a great dim sum restaurant on campus. It is technically only for faculty and students, but they often turn a blind eye to others if it isn’t too busy.

So that’s just some of the reasons why Sai Kung is a hidden gem in Hong Kong. If you are looking to see another part of Hong Kong, it is worth taking the short bus ride to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and to enjoy some hikes, awesome views, fresh seafood and most importantly, pineapple buns!