Bike stroll to Tai Mei Tuk

Hong Kong, a bike-unfriendly city...

After residing a few years in Hong Kong, one of the noticeable things is that the Asian metropolis does not fit with a cycling lifestyle. In the downtown on Hong Kong Island, convoys of taxis, buses and cars rushing in the main streets only leave enough place for pedestrians to huddle on sidewalks.

Though you can find some bicycle tracks across the city. Mostly flat or with very few inclines, they are suitable for beginners, children or even elderly - also are they wide enough to allow medium-sized groups to enjoy the ride all together.

... where hidden gems are yet to be found

To enjoy a ride on a safe and spacious enough path, you can try one of the most famous tracks in Hong Kong. For that you will have to venture outside of the big city: the New Territories - and more precisely between Tai Wai and Tai Mei Tuk.

A lovely and quite short path (around 21km) awaits you between these 2 areas in the southern part of the New Territories.

Starting point

Located in Tai Wai, the best way to get there is the MTR - take the MTR East Rail Line and get off at Tai Wai Station (Exit A). Around the station, you will find many rental bike shops that offer differents kind of bikes such as mountain bikes, road bikes or even surrey bikes. The rental prices should not exceed 110$ for the entire day. Be sure to know the closing time to return the bikes (otherwise, you will be charged extra fees).

It could be convenient for you to find a shop that has locations in both Tai Wai and Tai Mei Tuk, in case you only want to ride a one-way session.

The ride

After leaving from the bike shop, you quickly pass by a representation of one of the famous star symbols of Hong Kong, Bruce Lee statue - take a few minutes to pose in front of it for a souvenir.

Throughout the first part of the path, you ride along the Shing Mun River. Dragon boat races are annually held during the Dragon Boat Festival. You still can see few boaters or kayakers practicing on the watercourse. Don't hesitate to wave to them !

The Hong Kong Science Park awaits you on your cycling path. This area is a showcase of modern architecture, as witnesses really well the Auditorium with its noticeable golden-egg shape. You can find a mall and some restaurants around to rest up before the second half of the ride.

A few pedal strokes later, you can opt for a little detour to Tai Po Waterfront Park. There will you see some fishermen patiently waiting and hoping for a successful catch, or also a bunch of Xiangqi - the Chinese chess game - players challenging each other.

Last stop is the well expected Tai Mei Tuk. This little village offers an amazing view from the main dam of Plover Cove Reservoir. During weekends this place if full of families, cyclists or even kite flyers. Take a few moments to take a break along the dam and enjoy the improvised shows !

If you wish, you can return your bike to one of the shops in the village - only if the shop you rented the bike from has an outlet in the Tai Mei Tuk. Otherwise, the ride back to Tai Wai should be a piece of cake.

If you are hungry, some barbecue restaurants would be much happy to have you to enjoy good meats with a nice peek to the waterfront.

For the most exhausted, you still have the possibility to take the bus 75K or the minibus 20C to MTR Tai Po Market Station.