Hong Kong’s Best Kept Secret… The Great Outdoors : Recommended Cycling Trails - Idyllic Outing

Post Date: 15 Feb 2018
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Recommended Cycling Trails - Idyllic Outing
NAM SANG WAI

 

A ride in the rustic hinterland - Nam Sang Wai is the perfect choice for a fun, hassle-free half-day trip out of the city. Check out the thriving wetland wildlife, scenic woodland paths as well as the village-style cuisine. You’ll get much more out of this trip than just a great cycle!


The Nam Sang Wai Ferry
This ride starts on a ferry. Follow the road signs that read ‘Nam Sang Wai’ until you reach Nam Sang Wai Ferry Pier past a cluster of rustic village houses. Here, you’ll find the only river-crossing ferry in  Hong Kong. It carries passengers across Shan Pui River, which runs through Nam Sang Wai from Yuen Long town centrer.

Treat yourself to a local-style brunch upon reaching Nam Sang Wai. There is a riverside café serving local snacks and drinks such as herbal tea and tofu pudding. 

 

River Red Gums
Cycle along the corridor of River Red Gum trees, which are native to Australia and noted for their refreshing lemon scent. They were introduced here for forestation decades ago. Enjoy the shade, the soft breeze and the sound of nature as you ride. Stop by the small wooden platform along the cycling trail to enjoy the lovely view of lush hills, reeds and a mirror-like pond.

 

The Glade
Ride for around 15 minutes along the River Red Gum path, which opens up to a boulevard of Chinese Banyan. Butterflies and dragonflies of all sizes and colours thrive in the woodland. At the end of the  road is an opening in the woodland with a soft large bed of grass. This is a nicely secluded spot for picnics and kite flying.

 

Nam Sang Wai Road
Nam Sang Wai Road is accessible from the glade. The scenery of Shan Pui River and Yuen Long town comes into view behind the trees, the juxtaposition of urban and rural landscapes being a unique  feature of Hong Kong. You’ll find little egrets, grey herons and many other local or migrating birds feeding on the mudflats against the backdrop of the city. Some parts of this channel are formerly fishponds for aquacultural use and are of high ecological value, as they form a wetland habitat for wildlife. There is a bird-viewing area at the northern tip of Nam Sang Wai where you can also see a vast patch of mangrove that shelters the coastal area from wave erosion. And be sure to check out the display boards along the Nam Sang Wai River Education Trail to learn more about the relationship between urban development and the local biodiversity.\

 

Fishpond Education Kiosk
Ride along Kam Tin River for approximately another seven minutes. The Fishpond Education Kiosk has an exhibition of fish-farming tools, facilities and old photos showcasing the former prosperity of the local fishery industry. You may also enjoy local village-style meals and organic vegetables grown by villagers in the several cafés along the river.

 

Yuen Long Town Center
Continue on Nam Sang Wai Road, then on cycling tracks to get back to Yuen Long town. Here you may further explore this vibrant neighborhood and its food, shopping and culture.


Website: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/great-outdoors/cycling/index.jsp