Your Ultimate Guide to Sai Kung, Hong Kong’s Hip Neighbourhood

Nicknamed the “back garden of Hong Kong,” Sai Kung is a quaint district known for its lovely beaches, hiking trails, and low-key living that complements the lofty buildings and bustling life often found in Central. The main town is brimming with cozy al fresco cafés and restaurants serving up freshly caught seafood from nearby fishing villages. Outside the urban area, verdant spaces and natural attractions flank neigbourhoods, a proof that the district has remained largely unspoiled despite the buzz it has drawn over the years.

In this article, we’ve prepared a first-timer’s guide to Sai Kung, including our recommended places for bites and sights.

Where to Eat in Sai Kung

Loaf On

This Michelin-starred restaurant is famous for its seafood dishes prepared using traditional home cooking methods. Diners can bring in their freshly caught seafood and let the cooks decide what to make from them. Crowd favourites include steamed fish and mantis shrimp with garlic and chilli.

Location: G/F, 49 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung

Miss Hui Homemade Steamed Bun

Known for their chewy pastries filled with sesame peanuts or red beans, Miss Hui Homemade Steamed Bun has been a household name in Sai Kung. It is not uncommon to see a line of people snaking out from the stall to get their hands on Miss Hui’s sweet cha guo or tea cakes, so make sure to come in early before the goodies get sold out.

Location: G/F, 21 Cheung Street, Sai Kung

Little Cove Espresso

If you are up for some brunch after strolling around the seafront, Little Cove Espresso is the best way to go. You can grab a table inside the Scandinavian-inspired restaurant or have al fresco dining while enjoying the cool breeze from the harbourside. Little Cove Espresso is open from 7:30 AM to 6 PM.

Location: Sai Kung Town Villa Block A, Siu Yat Building Block A, Shop 1+2, G/F, Sai Kung Hoi Pong Square, Sai Kung

2084

Vegans are sure to find something to devour in 2084, said to be the first fully plant-based restaurant in Sai Kung. It offers an eclectic mix of Asian tapas such as Laab wraps (Thai mince with lemongrass, shallots wrapped in lettuce; HK$75), mushroom choila (oyster mushroom, Kashmiri chilli, fenugreek, mustard oil and garlic with puff rice; HK$75), and Peking tacos (crispy Peking oyster mushrooms with cucumber, spring onion, hoisin; HK$75).

Location: 5 Sha Tsui Path 000000 Sai Kung

Where to Shop in Sai Kung

Goods of Desire

With several branches across the city, Goods of Desire has been selling trinkets, apparels, and accessories inspired by Hong Kong’s street culture since 1996. You can find a variety of quirky souvenirs such as a mahjong table memo and pen holder, a “Lucky Cat” bath mat, and travel slippers designed after Hong Kong’s famous streets.

Location: G/F, 2 Yi Chun Street, Sai Kung Town

Final Fragment

Taking after the practice of minimalism, Final Fragment ditches trendy items for something timeless. Its clothes and bags use natural materials and feature basic designs and cuts, drawing emphasis on functionality instead of aesthetics.

Location: G/F 40 See Cheung Street, Sai Kung

Lilidays

Joining a throng of chic stores that line up Cheung Street, Lilidays offers everything from skincare items and jewelry to houseware and bags. It also sells organic goodies and bottled beverages such as craft beers and Japanese umeshu.

Located: G/F, No. 48, Cheung Street, Sai Kung

What to See in Sai Kung

Discover Sharp Island

A stark contrast to the city’s concrete jungle, Sharp Island boasts stunning beaches and gorgeous rock formations. It is adjacent to two beaches: Half Moon Bay (Hap Mun Bay) Beach and Kiu Tsui Beach. The former offers powdery white sand and is surrounded by verdant mountain views and rock formations.

Sharp Island is a 15-minute boat ride from Sai Kung’s main town.

Visit the UNESCO Global Geopark

If you are on Sharp Island, it would be hard to miss the hexagonal rock columns known as UNESCO Global Geopark. This natural attraction spans more than 150 square kilometres across the eastern and northeastern of New Territories. Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region is most accessible from Sharp Island, featuring volcanic tuffs jointing at High Island Reservoir East Dam.

Ah Kwok Water Sport Centre

Sha Ha Beach’s Ah Kwok Water Sport Centre offers a myriad of affordable but exciting activities such as kayaking and canoeing. For adrenaline junkies, the centre also has equipment for wakeboarding and windsurfing.

How to Go to Sai Kung

Sai Kung is not directly connected to any MTR station, but you can reach the main town via a minibus, bus, or a taxi.

• From Hang Hau MTR Station, ride minibus 101M.
• From Mong Kok MTR Station, take the red minibus that bears the “Sai Kung” signage.
• From Choi Hung MTR Station, take minibus 1A or bus 92.

The buses stop at the Sai Kung bus terminal near the seafront. For minibuses, the endpoint is opposite the main road from the Sai Kung bus terminal or the sports centre if you are coming from Mong Kong.