Exploring Ancient Relics and Leisure Sightseeing: Encounter Hong Kong's Lai Chi Wo
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, in the northeastern part of Hong Kong's New Territories, there is a leisure eco-tourism destination—Lai Chi Wo. It not only boasts a long history and well-preserved traditional Hakka culture, but also features diverse natural species and countryside scenery. It is also a successful example of local rural revitalization. Currently, Lai Chi Wo Hakka Village has become part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, making it a popular hiking and sightseeing spot. Traverse ancient and modern times, enjoy greenery, visit Lai Chi Wo, and experience the joy of travel.
Leisure Sightseeing, Right at Lai Chi Wo
(Image source: Hong Kong Tourism Board)
Traversing Ancient and Modern Times, Strolling Through the Hakka Village
Lai Chi Wo embodies Hong Kong's early historical memories. Established over 300 years ago, Lai Chi Wo Village is one of Hong Kong's oldest, largest, and best-preserved villages. With more than 200 houses arranged in a pattern of three vertical rows and nine horizontal rows following feng shui principles, the village sits on a hillside surrounded by lush feng shui woods and mangroves, exhibiting distinctive Hakka cultural characteristics.
(Image source: Hong Kong Tourism Board)
Since Lai Chi Wo Village won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation and was certified as part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, the once-deserted village has been revitalized. Relocated residents have gradually returned to resume farming, and the charming original ecology has attracted a large number of visitors. At the Lai Chi Wo Cultural Centre, tourists can visit a series of exhibits including rock specimens, farming tools, and traditional Hakka costumes to learn about the local history and ecology.
(Image source: Hong Kong Tourism Board)
In Lai Chi Wo Village, visitors can taste various local specialties, such as traditional Hakka braised pork, local-style tofu pudding, fish ball noodles, and various fresh seafood. These simple and unpretentious dishes embody the deliciousness of nature and tradition. Not far from Lai Chi Wo Village is Tai Po Market Station, which connects to the bustling city. Tai Po Market itself is also a great place for eating and shopping, where visitors can instantly traverse ancient and modern times and experience the fresh flavors of modern life.
Enjoy Greenery, Explore Nature
Beyond the distinctive Hakka traditions and culture, Lai Chi Wo's original ecological natural beauty is equally captivating. The area is adjacent to Plover Cove Country Park and Double Haven Coast Park, situated within a natural eco-protection zone. It boasts rich biodiversity and multiple hiking trails, making it an excellent area for experiencing sustainable ecological development.
(Image source: Hong Kong Tourism Board)
Near the mangroves along the coast of Lai Chi Wo, there is a botanical wonder—the climbing plant white-flowered fish vine (Derris alborubra) winds around high trees, and after hundreds of years of growth, it forms arch-like wonders on both sides of the trails. For nature enthusiasts, this is a must-see natural spectacle. In addition to the white-flowered fish vine, Lai Chi Wo is home to all eight true mangrove species recorded in Hong Kong, as well as rare tree species such as the Chinese milk tree (Alangium chinense) and the golden-leaf tree (Chrysophyllum lanceolatum). The Lai Chi Wo freshwater wetland area, one of Hong Kong's largest and most biodiverse original ecological areas, also nurtures various seagrass species that are crucial to marine systems.
(Image source: Hong Kong Tourism Board)
In addition to the diverse plant species, the Lai Chi Wo freshwater wetland area is a paradise for over a hundred freshwater species and an important ecological habitat for many birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and reptiles, including the endangered yellow-breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola) and the rare swallowtail butterfly (Papilio xuthus). The diverse life gives Lai Chi Wo greater vitality and energy, creating a symphony of harmonious coexistence between plants and animals.
Rural Revitalization: From Feng Shui Woods to Agricultural Modernization
The main entrance of Lai Chi Wo Village is enclosed by a "feng shui wall." This is a dense forest planted by villagers in the past according to feng shui principles and the concept of coexisting with nature, aimed at bringing good luck and wealth to the locals. The crescent-shaped feng shui wood contains over a hundred plant species and many centuries-old trees, including the "hollow tree king" bishopwood (Bischofia javanica), "five-fingered cliff" (a tree with five trunks), and the "strangler fig" (Ficus microcarpa). With the village's decline in the 1960s, these old customs gradually faded away. When people returned to the village, they integrated these treasures of time with more modern management and operation concepts, injecting new momentum into rural revitalization.
(Image source: Hong Kong Tourism Board)
From feng shui woods to modern agricultural transformation, Lai Chi Wo, secluded yet not isolated, showcases the diversity of Hong Kong as an international metropolis. This once-small fishing village, now focused on eco-tourism, has become a widely discussed model for village revitalization and conservation. Hakka history, natural oxygen bar, ecological landscapes... Lai Chi Wo has turned the essence of local culture into distinctive tourist labels, giving local tourism sustainable and innovative charm.
