Hong Kong | A Historic Mountain Village - Chek Keng Village
Chek Keng Village is located in the northeastern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula and is one of the oldest villages on the peninsula. Many of the buildings in the village are constructed with green bricks, showcasing the typical Lingnan Hakka architectural style 🏠🌳.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea in front, Chek Keng Village boasts a prime geographical location. It was once a relatively affluent village! However, as villagers gradually moved to cities and abroad, by the 1990s, only three residents remained.
While hiking along Section 2 of the MacLehose Trail, you’ll pass through Chek Keng Village on the way to Pak Tam Au. Many of the houses have become abandoned, overgrown with grass. In the sunlight, they resemble houses from animated films 🏡, but on cloudy days or at night, they evoke a completely different feeling 🙈.
Near the Chek Keng Pier, there’s a small store for supplies and public restrooms available for use.
The area also features flat grassy fields suitable for camping, mangroves to admire, and cows to keep you company. (Remember, do not feed the cows! Feeding wild animals is illegal under Hong Kong law. Also, protect your backpack to avoid cows trying to snatch food 😂.)
Personally, I really enjoy visiting these historic villages.
I often wonder what it was like for the villagers to live here, surrounded by such breathtaking scenery every day.
Perhaps due to inconvenient transportation, people moved away from the village. Yet nowadays, visitors trek over mountains to explore such villages and escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Every era has its unique needs. Finding the path that suits your life is what truly matters 😊.
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There are many ways to reach Chek Keng, making it an ideal destination for beginner hikers on a day trip.
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Simple hiking route:
Pak Tam Au → Chek Keng → Chek Keng Pier
(Distance: approximately 3–3.5 km, taking about 45 minutes to 1 hour.)
1. Transportation: Bus 🚌
Monday to Sunday: Take bus 94 from Sai Kung Bus Terminal to "Pak Tam Au" stop. (Start hiking from the trail near the public restroom across the road.) Walk to "Chek Keng."
For the return trip, you can retrace your steps. This is the simplest hiking route.
Alternatively, you can continue hiking to Sai Wan Pavilion or via Long Ke to High Island Reservoir for departure. (This route is very time-consuming and requires significant physical stamina and preparation. However, the scenery along the way is stunning.)
2. Transportation: Bus 🚌 + Ferry 🚢 (Available only on weekends and public holidays)
——— Weekends and public holidays: Take bus 94 from Sai Kung Bus Terminal, bus 96R from Diamond Hill MTR Station, or bus 289R from Sha Tin City Center to "Pak Tam Au" stop. Start hiking from the trail near the public restroom across the road to "Chek Keng."
——— Take bus 94 from Sai Kung Bus Terminal, bus 96R from Diamond Hill MTR Station, or bus 289R from Sha Tin City Center to "Wong Shek Pier" stop. Then take a kaito ferry to "Chek Keng."
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Ferry schedules are very limited, so it’s recommended to check the ferry times before heading out!
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Protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility. Please take your trash with you. You can do it 😊.