Speaking of a one-day round trip to the Islands, the first few spots that pop into mind must be Cheung Chau, Lamma Island, and Tai-O – our most familiar photogenic tourist sights. In fact, Hong Kong is home to many historical hidden gems. Today, we shall introduce you to a perfect spot for families to spend their weekends – Lai Chi Wo. No, not Lai Chi Kok, it’s Lai Chi Wo! The two ‘Lychee’ spots are miles apart at two different corners of the city; they are not at all related. Located in the northeast New Territories, Lai Chi Wo sits next to Plover Cove Country Park and Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, and has been listed as Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. It houses one of the oldest and largest Hakka villages, which has been maintaining its customs and culture for over 300 years since settlement. It is regarded as one of the few existing cultural heritages.

Lying far from roads, Lai Chi Wo can only be reached by ferry or by hiking.

 

By Ferry

You can first get to University MTR Station. Then, walk from the station to the Ma Liu Shui Landing No. 3 for about 15 minutes. Ferries to Lai Chi Wo only operate on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. So, plan your trip ahead!

 

Service time

Departure From Ma Liu Shui: 9:00 a.m.
(The ferry departs on time, please do spare some time to line up and get on board!)
Departure From Lai Chi Wo: 3:30 p.m.
(To avoid causing any inconvenience to other passengers, please save time returning to the pier)

 

Fare (Single Journey)

Adult/Child: HK$ 45.0
Dogs (except Guide dogs): HK$ 45.0
Journey time: about 90 minutes

 

By Hiking

If you are a hiker, you could definitely hike to Lai Chi Wo, you can take the 20R minibus at Tai Po Market MTR Station and head to Wu Kau Tang (烏蛟騰) where the hike starts. The trail then takes you through the village of Sam A Tsuen (三椏村) towards Lai Chi Wo (荔枝窩). It takes around 2.5 hours.

 

Leaving Lai Chi Wo, continuing on the Nature Trail will take you to the endpoint at Luk Keng (鹿頸). There you will find other transportation to get back into town.

Traditional Hakka Village: Lai Chi Wo Village

 

It’s time for us to set off! The journey commences the moment you hop onto the ferry. Looking out from the windows, you can have an overview of the coast of Ma On Shan and Wu Kai Shan. In about an hour, the sailing will be halted midway so that you can have a glimpse of the renowned landmarks, the Devil’s Fist (鬼手岩), resting on the seashore. This aged, weathered, and eroded rock will put you in awe of how mesmerising nature’s craft is. Shortly after, you will reach the Lai Chi Wo pier.

 

In the Lai Chi Wo village square, sometimes there are hawkers selling traditional Hakka treats, such as crunchy rice crackers and chewy tea cakes (which are, surprisingly, made from rice)!

Lai Chi Wo Village is one of the biggest existing traditional Hakka Village; quite some villagers are still living in Lai Chi Wo Village up till today. In their spare time, these villagers prepare Hakka cured meat by themselves. Try some if you have the chance!

Hip Tin Kung and Hok Shan Che are two connected temples built in the Guangxu period of the Qing dynasty. It is the communal worship space for the seven villages of Hing Chun Yeuk.

Other than the temples, Siu Ying School in Lai Chi Wo is another gathering space for the villagers. Children from other villages of the Hing Chun Yeuk need to hike through mountains to reach Siu Ying School for lessons.

A Diversified Natural Habitat

 

At the end of the Nature Trail, if you walk through the West Gate, you will arrive at Bride’s Pool Road. Colourful and distinctive butterflies and dragonflies are all visible on the way you pass by the lotus pond and paddy fields. Depending on the season, you may see a sea of blossoming rice crops or cosmos flowers. Rumour has it from January to May, you may also catch a glimpse of mayflies which is rare. There are also plenty of fields growing ginger, curry tree, chamomile, all kinds of edible flowers and fruits.

 

If you want to bring your kids into the wild, be sure to check out the mangroves. Along the boardwalk, take a close look at the wetland and its micro-ecosystem. If you stop by the mangroves, you may also detect mudskippers and fiddler crabs and see a massive, extensive red rock along the coast.

Suggested Route

 

The Pier ➔ Hip Tin Kung (協天宮)➔ the Hollow Tree ➔ the West Gate ➔ Brides’ Pool Road ➔Bi Teu Tam ➔ Farmland ➔ White-flowered Derris➔ Mangroves➔ The Pier

(With some time to spare, you might also visit Mui Tsz Lam and the village of Kop Tong in close proximity. This extra walk takes another 30 minutes.)

 

＊Friendly reminders
．What to Wear? light-coloured sportswear, bring along a hand towel
．What to Bring? some snacks, energy bites and water supply
．What to Prepare? apply some sunscreen and mosquito repellents before kicking off the tour

 

With ample natural resources, the ecological environment in Lai Chi Wo gives birth to its rich biodiversity. As if Pokémon Go in real life, you can take pictures of the species you encounter along the Lai Chi Wo River and add those to your collection of discovery.

 

Why not ditching that monotonous window-shopping plan and explore Lai Chi Wo’s living history and its beauty?

 

Article: Zachary Pink Yung

Translation: Chloe Li