With the temperature warming up in Hong Kong, there’s no better time to venture away from the hustle and bustle of the city and head to Yuen Long district in the New Territories for the day. Although the area’s been slowly undergoing gentrification over the years, there are still many parts of this neighbourhood that remain blessedly untouched. You almost feel like you’re in a completely different country, a green wonderland away from the impersonal skyscrapers and crowded streets of Central or Mong Kok.
That’s not to say there’s nothing to do or see in Yuen Long though! Brimming with everything from fruit-picking farms and hiking trails to cosy cafes and quirky coworking spaces, there’s so much to explore in this beautifully scenic neighbourhood it can be difficult to know where to start.
If you’re looking to enjoy a fun family day out walking amongst nature and enjoying good food, then this is the district for you. Read on to discover the best gems in Yuen Long you can’t miss!
There are a lot of great food spots in Yuen Long. And we do mean A LOT. Yuen Long is known by many as the foodie paradise of the New Territories, and compared to the restaurants we’re used to frequenting on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the food is fantastically affordable!
It wasn’t an easy task, but we’ve managed to whittle our list down to a few places that really stand out to us in terms of taste, price and experience. You can thank us later.
You can’t come to Yuen Long without trying Kei Kee Dessert’s signature dish – B仔涼粉, a massive dessert bowl of herbal grass jelly overflowing with fresh fruits and other toppings. It’s totally Instagrammable and can feed at least four people. But don’t stop there! Their mango and cream pancakes, streamed rice rolls and chicken wing tips are wildly popular as well.
Along with curry fishballs and steamed rice rolls, siu mai is one of Hong Kong's most iconic street food – nearly every savoury street stall will sell at least one of these snacks, and some of the city’s best siu mai is served right here in Yuen Long at The Queen of Siu Mai, a street stall with over 25 years of history. Just follow the hordes of people and wait in line to try their specialty siu mai drenched in soy sauce and chilli oil, it’s well worth the trek to Yuen Long if we do say so ourselves.
If you’re a serious caffeine addict and sick of going to the same-old cookie-cutter coffee chains, you’ll be pleased to know that Yuen Long has quite the selection of uber-cool independent cafés. Here are just a few of the top spots around if you find yourself in need of a quality brew!
We admit – when you first come across Accro Coffee, tucked away amidst the neighbouring bike stores and restaurants, the exterior doesn’t particularly stand out. But, step inside and you’ll find it is an essential destination for serious coffee drinkers and helmed by a team of award-winning baristas, has a reputation for serving some of the best coffee in all of Hong Kong. There’s an impressive range of filter and syphon coffee brews served alongside homemade cakes and other light snacks. And if you can’t make your mind up, you can't go wrong with a cup of their prize-winning Hong Kong Brewers Cup Champion coffee and a slice of green tea tofu mousse cake!
Another great hangout spot is CoHee Studio, a specialty coffee roaster and café serving up a range of single-origin coffee beans in a cosy setting. The brunch here is a hit too. We recommend the bagel with crayfish, avocado and salmon roe or their infamous Hokkaido scallop, salmon roe, scrambled egg and onion on toast!
When most people think of activities in Hong Kong, they probably imagine taking the ferry across the infamous Victoria Harbour, haggling in Ladies Market in Mong Kok or suntanning on a beach in Sai Kung. You wouldn’t think that going fruit-picking or glamping were some of the most popular activities available in Yuen Long. So, next time you’re looking for a fun alternative for a family outing or a memorable date with a special someone, look no further!
Long Ping Strawberry Farm is a massive farm covering around 200,000 square foot of fields. Operating all year round, this farm offers a variety of fruits and vegetables you can pluck from the plant yourself. Depending on the season, you can pick grapes, corns, cherry tomatoes,strawberries and more – but don’t forget to check beforehand to make sure the fruit you want is in season! And did we mention they also have a petting zoo where you can feed and pet some friendly goats?
Now that overseas travel isn’t an option, why not try a quirky staycation for your next long weekend? Mingle Farm offers a unique Insta-worthy glamping experience that allows you to sleep in an aecosphere, a transparent, bubble-shaped tent, so you can literally sleep under the stars. Or if sleeping in a see-through room isn’t your thing, they also have colourful bungalows or inflatable tents to choose from. After an experience like this, sleeping in a normal bedroom is going to seem almost boring by comparison!
Metro Workspace Yuen Long is a premium coworking space suitable for freelancers and corporations alike. It definitely isn’t your typical coworking space. Users can enjoy this beautifully decorated workspace featuring decorations such as dark green doors, large windows to let in lots of natural light and paintings by several artists. The space also has a spacious rooftop with a panoramic view of the area where you can host events or sit back and relax with a cup of coffee or two, which, let's face it, can be much needed after a hard day's work.
As with most places, Yuen Long is best experienced on a weekday! If your work allows, why not spend a few hours at Metro Workspace to get your work done before enjoying all the attractions and food joints this quirky New Territories district has to offer.
The BOOQED app (available on both Android and iOS) lets you book hot desks, meeting rooms and café tables by the hour, day or month, no strings attached! Plus, you can use the code HK50 to get 50% off your first booking!
