THE STAYCATION SPECIAL

Be top of the town at Tai Mo Shan
Photo: Potaihse via Flickr
But if you didn’t leave home just to go to another mall
(really?), follow the signs towards the Sam Tung Uk
Museum (2 Kwu Uk Lane, Tseun Wan). This restored
200-year-old Hakka village contains 12 original rooms,
each housing their own mini-exhibits: Down one corridor,
you can learn about the history of rice farming in Hong
Kong and surrounding areas; down another is a series of
rooms displaying woodblock prints of everyday life two
centuries ago. Their major exhibition hall is a tour through
Hong Kong’s intangible cultural traditions, including
Cantonese Opera, tea ceremonies, and the art of the
guqin (including a real guqin you can play on the spot).
THE HIDDEN SIDE OF
TSUEN WAN
The heart of Tsuen Wan comprises
immersive mega-malls and markets which
stand towering over crisscrossing pedestrian
flyovers, but not far from the chaos lie two
beautiful country parks. For a family-friendly
weekend that combines unbeatable shopping
and spectacular hiking overlooking the South
China Sea, head west of the city.
WHERE TO STAY: The Bay Bridge Hong Kong is a
sleek and modern hotel/residence offering fully serviced
apartments and studio rooms, located a quick shuttle
bus from the station. Their one-bedroom apartments
exude a hip beach-house vibe, with wide bay windows
overlooking the sea, 150-square-foot patios perfect for
a morning coffee or evening nightcap, plus dining table
and kitchenette. Not one for cooking on holiday? Grab
a breakfast buffet at Anchor’s Seafood & Beer House
before repairing to the mosaic-tiled swimming pool,
which offers sweeping views over the South China Sea.
Similar views are on show in the lounge, making it ideal
for a pleasant happy hour spent watching the boats pass
by under the long, picturesque bridge to Tsing Yi.
The “Delicious Journey” package starts at $770 per night,
including $100 of credit per day to be used at Anchor’s
Seafood & Beer House. 123 Castle Peak Rd., Yau Kom Tau,
Tsuen Wan, 2945-1111, baybridgehongkong.com
WHAT TO SEE: You could board a shuttle to Tsuen Wan
and pass a whole day in the labyrinthine Discovery Park
mall (398 Castle Peak Rd., Tseun Wan) with its various kidfriendly
themed areas, including a “tropical rainforest”
with artificial waterfall and a K-Pop zone.
To really stretch your legs, Tsuen Wan is one of the closest
entry points to Tai Mo Shan. Hong Kong’s highest peak
boasts the 35-meter-tall Long Falls, Hong Kong’s longest
waterfall. But the peak isn’t quite as steep as it seems,
and much of it is on a paved trail. From Tsuen Wan MTR,
take bus 51 to the “Country Park” stop. From there,
follow Section Eight of the Maclehose Trail. Head up and
you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Kowloon—
but pick a cooler day and don’t forget to bring sunscreen
and lots of water.
Learn the Hakka way of life at the Sam Tung Uk Museum
Photo: Adam Kuplowsky
Kick back at the Hyatt Regency
Travel back in time at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Photo: LCSD
A RESORT GETAWAY… IN
SHA TIN?
Sometimes, you just need to get away.
Don’t have the time to hop on a plane?
Take a weekend escape to a family-friendly
urban resort that looks and feels like
an island getaway.
WHERE TO STAY: The Hyatt Regency Hong Kong,
Sha Tin, is a one-minute walk from University MTR station.
Not what you had in mind for a weekend getaway? You’ll
be surprised: The escalator from the ground up to the
hotel is a portal to a whole other world. You’ll forget you
almost tripped on a row of luggage on your way over:
Here the only rows are rows of palm trees and greenery.
Sign up for the Summer Getaway Package for two,
overlooking a lush mountain view or a constellation of
headlights along Tolo Harbour. The package features a
breakfast buffet, two drinks, and bike rental for a breezy
ride around the area. If activity isn’t really your thing, dive
into their serene, secluded outdoor pool or opt for a foot
or scalp, neck and shoulder massage at the Melo Spa
(from $298). Witness chefs whip up authentic northern
Chinese cuisine in Sha Tin 18’s open kitchens, and grab
a nightcap at Tin Tin Bar.
Rooms from $1,100 per night. Summer Getaway Package
(Jun-Aug) from $1,280 per night. 18 Chak Cheung St.,
Sha Tin, 3723-1234, hongkong.shatin.hyatt.com
WHAT TO SEE: Feeling like you should spend at least
some of your staycation outside of the hotel? Sha Tin
has plenty to check out. The orange houses of the
Hong Kong Heritage Museum (1 Man Lam Rd.,
Sha Tin, 2180 8188, heritagemuseum.gov.hk) peek out
from a wooded area along the Shing Mun River. Its
galleries tell the story of Hong Kong’s cultural history
and also host regular rotating exhibitions. From now
through July 11, the museum features the artwork of
Impressionist master Claude Monet—don’t miss it.
What better way to take in Tolo Harbour than by cycling?
Wake up early to ride the waterside bike path that
stretches from Shing Mun River to Tai Po Waterfront
Park. The park’s grassy lawns are a favorite of kite fliers
and there’s a lookout tower offering great views of Tolo
Harbour. Want to keep going? Follow the path all the way
up to the beautiful Plover Cove Reservoir by Tai Mei Tuk.
After all that exercise, you’re going to want some spiritual
rest. Shame it’s going to take a 430-step hike to get it.
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (221 Pai Tau
Village, Sha Tin) is a feast for the eyes—it’s home to
countless buddhas lining the path to the top of the hill,
on which sit temples and pavilions—which are all also
full of buddhas. It’s not the shortest hike, but who ever
said the road to enlightenment was easy?
10 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016