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Sha Tau Kok
ℹ️Practical info — Sha Tau Kok
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Access to the town and pier requires a Closed Area Permit; apply online well in advance if you want to visit.
- Chung Ying Street is technically the border; do not cross into the Shenzhen side without appropriate visas.
- The area operates at a slower pace; many local shops close by late afternoon.
- Keep your camera ready at the pier for unique views of Starling Inlet and mainland China in the distance.
🍽 Food
A rich, melt-in-your-mouth pork dish served in traditional Hakka restaurants near the border.
A flavorful local specialty available in family-run eateries in the town center.
Grab a fresh, crusty bun from a traditional old-school bakery for a quick snack.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Local fishermen dry their catch, offering excellent quality dried shrimp and scallops.
Small stores near the border still sell retro snacks and old-school Hong Kong items.
The longest pier in Hong Kong, offering deep tranquility and coastal breezes.
A quiet walkway observing the small boats and calm waters of the inlet.
Water temperature…
Sha Tau Kok is a border town in Hong Kong's northeast New Territories, adjacent to Shenzhen, China. From 1951 to 2012, it was a restricted frontier closed zone requiring permits. In 2012, the government eased access, allowing limited tourism with special permits. The town has about 7,000 residents, many from fishing communities. Key attractions include the Sha Tau Kok Promenade, the historic pier, and the Sha Tau Kok Wetland Park, a habitat for migratory birds like black-faced spoonbills. The area retains a rustic coastal character, with traditional stilt houses and fish farms. Sha Tau Kok also has a Cheung Shan Monastery, a Buddhist site. Its unique history makes it a rare destination for those interested in Hong Kong's closed border areas.
- Location: Hong Kong SAR China
- Top sights: Hung Fa Chai · Robin's Nest Viewing Point (North) · Chung Ying Street
- Nearby: Ma On Shan (6 km)
- Population: ~5.001 (2023)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Nov, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 16 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 17 |
| Rain mm | 35 | 29 | 69 | 109 | 231 | 288 | 197 | 234 | 173 | 56 | 29 | 21 |
Geography
Facts
- Sha Tau Kok was a closed border town from 1951 to 2012.
- The population is about 7,000.
- It is located directly on the border with Guangdong, China.
- Sha Tau Kok Wetland Park hosts rare bird species.
- The ferry connects Sha Tau Kok to Lai Chi Wo.
- Since 2012, visits are possible with a special permit.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
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Sights in the town Sha Tau Kok (7)
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to visit Sha Tau Kok?
What is Chung Ying Street?
Can tourists go shopping in Sha Tau Kok?
What is the atmosphere like in this border town?
Are there any nature parks nearby?
Sha Tau Kok: where is it located?
Sha Tau Kok: what is there to see?
Sha Tau Kok: when is the best time to visit?
Sha Tau Kok: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
