The Land Between Tour (Half Day/Full Day)

The New Territories, situated between the Kowloon hills and the boundary with Mainland China, is an extremely diverse rural and suburban area full of contrasts. It is a fusion of traditional customs and modern ideas, of scenic beauty and man-made achievements, making it a remarkable place to visit.

The tour visits the Yuen Yuen Institute, a large monastery complex housing the three predominant local religions - Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Then it's out into the countryside, going up to Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong's highest mountain peak, which provides inspiring panoramic views. Over the mountain lies a lush valley of orchards and vegetable farms.

You'll visit Fanling Walled Village and walk past the old village wall with gun holes in it, and a family ancestral hall where ancestor worship continues to be practised. Then head to Luk Keng Road, running parallel with the coastline of Mainland China just across the bay. Keep an eye out for the bird sanctuary. There is also a stop at a fish-farming zone at Sam Mun Tsai.

Village people in the New Territories

Hong Kong's Living Culture – The Hakka

Hakka means "guest families" in Chinese, and that's what the Hakka people have been regarded as ever since they left their native land in northern China and headed south some 2,000 years ago.

Hakkas are true natives of Hong Kong, having lived here preserving their culture since those early days of migration. The fortress-like village enclave is a haven of peace after a hard day's work out in the fields. Hakka women are particularly famous for their industriousness and their traditional straw hat that has a wide brim, ruffled fringes and a hole at the top. It shields them from the blazing sun and keeps their heads cool.