Yuen Long Park Waterfall

Visiting Yuen Long For the First Time: A Wonderful Day Trip

Yuen Long is a district on the western side of New Territories, Hong Kong, around one hour away from the city center. The district is well-connected and easily accessible, thanks to the MTR Tuen Ma Line, which has made traveling to Yuen Long more convenient than ever.

Yuen Long District

Yuen Long district is a fascinating region that boasts a harmonious blend of natural landscapes and cultural heritage. The district is home to numerous stunning hiking trails and scenic landscapes. I have always wanted to visit Yuen Long but because of various reasons, it always gets postponed or canceled. Given the unpredictable weather in Hong Kong, we decided to avoid the trails and explore some of the district’s other attractions instead.

Tai Tong Eco Park

strawberry picking
peaceful place inside the ecopark

One of the attractions in Yuen Long is the Tai Tong Eco Park. To reach the park, you can take the MTR West Rail line to Long Ping station and then hop on Bus K66 to Tai Tong. Once you get off at Tai Tong Shan Road Bus Stop, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the park and ticket office.

The Tai Tong Eco Park is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm, and there is an admission fee of HKD 90 for adults and HKD 70 for children and elders. The park is a leisure and recreational destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a range of activities such as fish pond, workshops, play area for kids, horse riding, fruit and vegetable picking, and more. There is a fee for each activity, or you can opt for the package that includes four activities of your choice.

During our visit to Tai Tong Eco Park, we went to the strawberry farm to pick some fresh strawberries and took a leisurely stroll around the park. Although the facilities were a bit old, there were plenty of kid-friendly activities, such as a family bicycle, a bouncy castle, and a playground.

Lunch at Childhood Izakaya

Childhood Izakaya lunch set

After spending some quality time at the park, we headed back to Long Ping station and found several restaurants in the vicinity. We chose to have lunch at a Japanese restaurant called Childhood Izakaya. The restaurant is small and cozy, and we had to share a table with other people since it was almost full when we arrived at 12:15 pm.

We ordered two lunch sets, and the servings were more substantial than we expected. The set lunch included a salad, appetizer, soup, main course, and a hot tea.

Yuen Long Park

stairs inside Aviary Pagoda

Next, we visited Yuen Long Park, which is located on top of a hill and offers an excellent view of the town. The park is known for its Aviary Pagoda, artificial lake, and waterfall. The Aviary Pagoda is a unique attraction where you can observe 21 different bird species up close. We also went up to the top of the pagoda to enjoy the panoramic view of Yuen Long Town and Tin Shui Wai New Town.

Just below the Aviary Pagoda, there is an artificial lake and waterfall, which is a peaceful and tranquil spot in the middle of Yuen Long town.

Whoops Cafe

Later on, we visited Whoops Cafe, a small cake shop that serves coffee, roll cakes, pudding, and cheesecakes. We tried their Hojicha flavored roll cake, which was rich in Hojicha flavor, but a bit dry and expensive.

Hacha Tea

We also visited Hacha, a tea shop that invented a cheese milk foam with fruit drink. We ordered a cheese coconut smoothie, which was surprisingly refreshing and tasty. Their top seller is the cheese foam pistachio smoothie, and they have other fruit-based smoothies as well.

Hang Heung Cake Shop

Lastly, we went to Hang Heung Cake Shop, which is famous for its traditional wife cake made with winter melon filling. The shop has been around for almost a century and has many branches in Hong Kong, including the one in Yuen Long. We were amazed to see so many new flavors of wife cake, such as peanut-flavored, black sesame, and more. We ordered one of each flavor, and they were freshly baked.

Yuen Long Nearby Attractions

If you love spending time in nature and enjoying the heritage, Yuen Long district has plenty of attractions to offer. Some of the popular nearby attractions include Mai Po Nature Reserve, known as the Bird’s Paradise, and Hong Kong Wetland Park, a 60-hectare Wetland Reserve that aims to bring public awareness and education about wetlands and conservation efforts.

Mai Po Nature Reserve

Mai Po Nature Reserve is the only wetland reserve in Hong Kong, also known as the “Bird’s Paradise”. The reserve is an important site for conservation, especially during winter when many migratory birds visit the area. To explore the reserve, you will need to book a guided tour with WWF Hong Kong. The guided tour costs around HKD 200. The tour is three hours long and includes birdwatching and close encounters with different types of wetland. Additionally, there are overnight experiences and bird-watching tours for photographers. By participating in these events, you are also contributing to conservation efforts.

Hong Kong Wetland Park

The Hong Kong Wetland Park is another essential site for migratory birds. It is a 60-hectare Wetland Reserve established to raise public awareness and education about the wetland ecosystem. Compared to the Mai Po Nature Reserve, the Wetland Park is more developed. It features an indoor exhibit that covers various topics related to wetlands, human culture, and challenges faced by the wetlands. The park charges an entrance fee of around HKD 30 for adults.

Tai Lam Country Park

Tai Lam Country Park is a natural wonderland located in the northwest of Hong Kong. It is the second-largest country park in the region, boasting a diverse array of flora and fauna. The country park is famous for its twelve hiking trails, each offering breathtaking views and unique experiences to visitors.

From the Reservoir Islands Viewpoint, hikers can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir. Additionally, every autumn, locals and tourists alike gather at the Sweet Gum Woods in Tai Tong to witness the leaves turn a vibrant shade of red, creating a picturesque scene that is truly unforgettable. Tai Lam Country Park is worth exploring if you want a peaceful and scenic getaway.

Ha Pak Nai

Situated on the coastline of northern Yuen Long., Ha Pak Nai is a picturesque location. It is particularly famous for its breathtaking sunsets and stunning reflection photos. The area has a tranquil atmosphere where you can enjoy the beauty of nature at its best. The calm waters create a perfect reflection of the sky, making it a haven for photography enthusiasts. It is a great place for anyone who loves nature and wants to witness the most beautiful sunsets and reflections.

Hong Kong attractions

If you are more interested in visiting Hong Kong tourist attractions, check out my other posts here