Recognized as the ‘Back Garden of Hong Kong’, Sai Kung remains a largely undeveloped area. The name ‘Sai Kung’ was first used in the early Ming dynasty. Following Zheng He’s seven expeditions, many nations in East Asia, West Asia, coastal Middle East and East Africa began to pay tribute to the Ming court and trade goods with China. At that time, Sai Kung (literally meaning ‘tribute from the West’) was the harbour where tributary vessels berthed. Thus, the name gradually came into general use.
Tai Long Sai Wan is one of the four beaches that form Tai Long Wan, along with Ham Tin, Tai Wan and Tung Wan. It is the most famous of them all and even across the entire Sai Kung district. It came first in the Hong Kong Best 10 Scenic Sites Election in 2006. Looking around to the Pacific Ocean, the beach features clear water and fine sand against blue sky, making it a hot berthing point for holiday makers on yachts. Located far away from the pollution-ridden Pearl River estuary and free from pollution due to increased inhabitation thanks to its mountainous terrain along the shoreline, this part of Sai Kung has become a hotbed of coral reefs, which earns it the name ‘the Great Barrier Reef of Hong Kong’. Coral reefs can easily be seen off the shore. Like Hoi Ha Wan, Sai Wan is home to large swathes of mangroves where fresh water meets the salt water of the sea. The mangrove woods provide an ideal habitat for fish and shrimps, which in turn attract a lot of birds and insects to come for food and habitation, including Schrenck’s Bittern (Ixobrychus eurhythmus), one of the rarest bird species in the world. On the far left side of the beach is the downstream mouth of Sheung Luk Stream – one of the nine biggest streams in Hong Kong. The stream originates from Tai Cham Koi and feeds Tai Long Sai Wan. The highlight is the Four Pools at the middle part.
Part of Tai Long Sai Wan was included in Sai Kung East Country Park and designated by the Hong Kong government as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ in 2001.
Suggested Routes:
1. Take village bus 29R outside McDonald’s in Sai Kung Town Centre > Get off at Sai Wan Pavilion > Follow the signpost and walk along the path for about one hour > Tai Long Sai Wan/Sai Wan Village
2. Pak Tam Au > MacLehose Trail 2 > Chek Keng > Ham Tin Bay> Sai Wan
