New Territories
The New Territories covers 794 sq. km, and is embraced by deserted beaches, winding trails stretching across empty hills, and stone-house villages that move to a rhythm centuries removed from modern Hong Kong.
Development has divided the New Territories into three segments: the centre, western, and eastern. The centre is dominated by new towns like Sha Tin and Tai Po and is the main route by road and rail up to China. The western end is being recreated by infrastructure projects that are linked with the new airport at Chek Lap Kok on Lantau. The east, on the other hand, is where the New Territories most traditional character endures. All three areas have excellent public transport facilities. Hence, it is simply a matter of deciding which to explore first.
The West
Tsing Ma Bridge, This Bridge is a new construction, which links Lantau Island to the mainland for the first time. It is 2.2 km long, with 200-meter-high twin towers visible along much of the highway in the New Territories that leads to Kwai Chung, an extensive complex of container terminals, and the industrial community of Tsuen Wan
The East
Clear Water Bay, This is perhaps the most attractive area in the New Territories. Located on the eastern edge of Hong Kong, Clear Water Bay coils around the side of the Kowloon mountain range, and then down the peninsular past smart villas and compact villages to the aptly named bay itself
The Centre
Sha Tin, The metropolis of Sha Tin is one of Hong Kong's fastest-growing New Towns, offering plenty of recreation for the visitor. Extensive housing projects are now being pursued at areas that were once rice paddies, and the New Town Plaza - a huge shopping mall and entertainment complex - offers cinemas, designer boutiques, and a musical fountain that attracts a myriad of mall-goers.
