| Hong Kong, Asia's international city, is mostly known | | | | pretty authentic one (and easy to access), and so are |
| for its glittering skyscrapers and fabulous shopping and | | | | Tsang Tai Uk (on the fringe of Sha Tin Town) and |
| entertainment opportunities, but less than a few visitors | | | | Fanling Wai, not far from Fanling Railway Station. |
| take the bother to actually discover the territory's less | | | | "Ping Shan Heritage Trail" and "Lung Yeuk Tau |
| touristy corners, such as its pristine beaches, traditional | | | | Heritage Trail" (which is known as "Lung Ku Tau"), both |
| villages and nature trails. | | | | in the New Territories, are Hong Kong's most famous |
| This article will take you to five hidden gems you | | | | "heritage trails", passing through walled villages, old |
| wouldn't expect to find in Hong Kong. | | | | temples, historic ancestor halls and traditional narrow |
| The vivid village of Shek O, on the southeast corner of | | | | streets. Both are maintained by the Antiquities and |
| Hong Kong Island, is distinguished for its colorful houses | | | | Monuments Office and are reasonably signposted, so |
| and narrow allies, as much as for its beautiful beach | | | | you are not likely to lose your way. What's more, they |
| and the lovely trails that surround it. | | | | are both fairly easy to access and are quite easy to |
| The Dragon's Back Trail, just above Shek O, was | | | | walk. |
| described by Time Magazine as "Asia's best urban | | | | Yuen Yuen Institute, just a short drive from the modern |
| hiking trail" and is indeed, one of the territory's most | | | | town of Tauen Wan, is the only religious establishment |
| breathtaking outdoor hikes. | | | | in Hong Kong that houses the three principal local |
| The small rock-strewn island of Tai Tau Chau, at the | | | | religions - Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The |
| end of the village, and Shek O's sandy cove are also | | | | main draw here is the Chinese architecture and |
| worth the effort of coming all the way here, not to | | | | landscaping, and especially the main building, which is a |
| mention nearby Big Wave Bay (Tai Long Wan) which | | | | replica of the famous "Temple of Heaven" pagoda |
| is one of the best places on "the island" to catch | | | | (Tian Tan) in Beijing. |
| waves. | | | | Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve occupies a relatively |
| As far as food is concerned, Shining Stone and Shek | | | | large wetland in a remote corner of Hong Kong, near |
| O Chinese & Thai Restaurant are both fantastic. | | | | the border with mainland China, and is a real |
| The walled villages of the Hakka people, all across the | | | | ornithologist's heaven, with tens of thousands of |
| New Territories, are were the "great five clans" used | | | | migratory birds that stop here twice a year (autumn |
| to dwell hundreds of years ago, before the Brits came | | | | and spring) on their way from the north of Asia to |
| and turned Hong Kong to a thriving metropolis. Some | | | | Australia and back. |
| of these villages are still maintaining their old time | | | | This reserve is not easy to access and, as a matter |
| character and are worth visiting: 17th Century Kat Hing | | | | of fact, you can not visit it unless you book a guided |
| Wai, near the KCR station of Kam Sheung Road is a | | | | tour in advance with the local ofice of WWF. |