If you are looking for a family-friendly place where to escape the crowds in Hong Kong, why not try a less well-known area of Hong Kong?
The urban island of Tsing Yi will never make it on to the list of Hong Hong’s top beauty spots but there are some great reasons for taking the whole family here. Here are 10 of them:
1. The first big advantage is that, although Tsing Yi is technically an island, there is an MTR station there, so the place is easily reachable. Tsing Yi is also well connected by bus from both Tseun Wan and Ma Wan.
2. You will find a long and pleasant promenade with playgrounds and nice views, just outside exit A2 of the MTR. It is possible to use scooters, bikes, rollerblades and model cars along the promenade, with is 2.4 kilometres long. When you reach the promenade remember to head north (with the sea on your left), as this side is longer and more pleasant. Plus, most importantly, you’ll end up at Tsing Yi Northeast Park, which is a real blast for children.
3. Tsing Yi Northeast Park at the end of the promenade is a great little park for all the family, it has grassy areas for picnicing and playing on, ponds for model boats, playgrounds, a bike rental kiosk (where you can rent both children and adult bikes, as well as rickshaws), two basketball and volleyball courts, an 11-a-side artificial turf soccer pitch and an outdoor gym area for adults. If you want to reach the park by car or taxi the address is 10 Tam Kon Shan Road. There is a car park. In the park there are drinking vending machines but nothing else in terms of food.
4. On a hot day head to a great public big swimming pool with water slides (Tsing Yi MTR Exit B). They have 4 swimming pools: the main pool, a teaching pool, a leisure pool and a toddlers’ pool. The pools re open from April to end of October and closed on Wednesdays. The first Session is between 6:30 in the morning and noon. The second session is from 1pm until 6.30pm. The third session is from 7.30pm to 10pm.
5. For a little more adventure take a taxi to the south or north entrance of the Tsing Yi nature trails. Here you’ll find several picnic spots and some great views over Ting Kau Bridge. There are quite a few steps to negotiate but the walk isn’t too difficult It takes around one hour to complete the circuit. You can spot birds and wildlife.
6. Located at the northwest corner of the island, the Lantau Link viewing platform is a great place from which to take pictures and see both Tsing Ma Bridge and the Ting Kau Bridge. The visitor centre has an interesting explanation about the area. It’s free of charge. The viewing platform is open daily between 7:30a.m. to 11pm, while the visitor centre closes at 5pm during the week and at 6.30pm during weekends and public holidays.
7. Just outside the MTR there are two shopping malls with plenty of eating options: from pizza, to dim sum to well-known chains. Since there are quite a lot of restaurants the queues to eat don’t tend to be that long (even during bank holidays!). You can also bring your own picnic and eat it at Tsing Yi Northeast Park grass area, or at one of the picnic areas that punctuate the Tsing Yi nature trails.
8. If Tsing Yi is a bit too far away to come for just a day trip, you might want to think about staying overnight. There is some decent and reasonably-priced accommodation here. There are two big hotels, both with seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a gym. They are both around 10 minutes away by taxi from the station. Hotels The hotels are okay for a night, but don’t expect five star luxury!
9. If you you have already seen everything that there is to see on the island already you might consider visiting nearby Ma Wan. Here you’ll find a beach, a number of good restaurants opposite the beach, a garden and a large-scale replica of Noah’s Ark, complete with model animals an interesting exhibition on this particular Bible story. Occasional children activities are also held here.
10. A short taxi ride away you’ll find Shing Mun Reservoir: a great spot for picnics, walks and monkey-spotting.
