Completely separate from the busy life of one of the world’s leading bustling cities, these are ‘time travel’ destinations in Hong Kong (China), exclusively for tourists who like to travel back in time. old years.
Travelers are probably no longer unfamiliar with Hong Kong, an attractive tourist destination for those who are passionate about shopping, want to immerse themselves in the magical world of Disneyland, and love the modernity of skyscrapers. or Hai Duong park filled with thrilling games. However, somewhere in this small land, there are still nostalgic destinations, where time stands still, to see a very Asian, ancient, gentle and completely different Hong Kong. full of extremely vibrant life.
Let’s take a look at certain places not to be missed if you want to experience a special fragrant Port country, not for tourists who are in a hurry to come and go.
Tai O fishing village
Tai O fishing village (Dai Ao fishing village) is completely different from the image of a modern, bustling and crowded Hong Kong.
Not many tourists know about Tai O, also known as Dai Ao fishing village. This is a small village located close to the sea, but leaning against the foot of the mountain on Lan Tau island (Lan Dau island). Tai O is considered the Venice of Hong Kong, because the houses are located along both sides of the canal, connected to each other by small wooden bridges or rustic wooden walkways. There are no high-rise buildings, no supercars or crowds of people, only ancient houses standing still in the flow of time, a market selling seafood, red lanterns hanging high… Tai O retains the full sound of a fishing village since the early years of the last century. The peaceful village space, gentle and extremely romantic sea, bring an image that cannot be seen in familiar tourist destinations in Hong Kong.
Tai O is known as the Venice of Hong Kong, with ancient houses located along both sides of the canal and overlooking the sea.
What to do in Tai O:
The very simple spaces of an old fishing village have a unique charm.
Tai O is a destination for those who want to learn about the culture and architecture of Hong Kong in the last century.
The village market sells many types of seafood and exotic flavors.
The “general” squid dish cannot be missed.
Many tourists who come here often buy oysters as gifts.
Behind the seemingly messy houses are small shops facing the sea with a warm, friendly atmosphere.
You can visit Tai O fishing village in about half a day and ideally in the afternoon, to fully watch the sunset, creating a brilliant orange sky close to the blue sea. Stroll around the market selling seafood, especially seafood prepared by the fishermen in the village. You can buy seafood as a gift. Dried sea cucumbers, dried oysters, even dried snakehead fish… are all sold here. Enjoy rustic local seafood dishes, including the must-try dish “general’s squid”, made from giant squids the size of chickens or ducks, thick and delicious. extremely attractive.
Hong Kong’s ginger sugar tofu is different from Vietnam’s, with sugar fragrant with almonds, creating a new flavor.
Small shops selling traditional sweet soup, tofu, local cakes… can be found in the market and in the village. This is also the place where the famous XO sauce is produced. Having lunch, sipping coffee, and enjoying afternoon tea at small shops on the beach, renovated from extended areas of houses in the village, is also a very unique pleasure. Small shop, right on the water, with a full view of the sea and the old houses opposite… This is something you can hardly find in other places in Hong Kong.
Heart Sutra Road
Heart Sutra road with 38 giant wooden pillars engraved with the Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita.
The Heart Sutra (Wisdom Path) is a place unlike anywhere else in the world. Hidden behind the Big Buddha Statue, Ngong Ping is about a 1km walk on the path, the Heart Sutra path includes 38 giant wooden pillars engraved with sutras from the Heart Sutra.
The Heart Sutra is considered the “heart” of Buddhist scriptures, helping Buddhists expand their wisdom, concentration,… so it is recited by many people every day. Between the high mountains and the big sea, in the distance is a towering Buddha statue, wooden pillars engraved with the heart sutra stand out in the blue sky, creating an impressive, unique and extremely ancient scene. People who come here, whether they are sightseeing or want to contemplate more closely the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra, feel like they are “traveling through time” to a time long ago, far away into nothingness, to a place where there is only earth and sky. and scriptures.
What to do on the Heart Sutra road
Walking path into the Tam Kinh road scenic area.
Although located in Ngong Ping village, Dai Nhi Son, most tourists only know about the Big Buddha Statue and come here to worship and then go down the mountain. Tam Kinh Road is hidden behind, nearly 1km long on a small trail, with a quiet landscape on both sides, not as noisy as the scene often seen in Hong Kong. To get here, visitors will usually take the cable car across the sea, over the mountain to Dai Nhi Son, into Ngong Ping village, see the Buddha statue and walk according to the instructions.
Sightseeing, sightseeing, and calming down are how many locals and tourists experience the Tam Kinh road. However, many young people like to transform into historical characters and use this place as a backdrop for filming and taking photos.
Xa Cong Temple
The pinwheels rotating in the wind create an extremely impressive scene.
Vietnamese tourists coming to Hong Kong will often be taken to Huynh Dai Tien Temple, which is known as the mystical spiritual place of this far eastern pearl. That’s why this place is extremely crowded and noisy. On the contrary, Xa Cong Temple is located in Sa Dien, New Gioi, far from the center and usually only local people come here to pray, so it is very quiet and brings the full feeling of an ancient, quiet temple. , ancient scent. Xa Cong Temple was built around 1629, after many years of restoration, and is now one of the peace destinations of Hong Kong people.
Xa Cong Temple is located far from the center of Hong Kong, quiet and the people who come here are mainly local people.
Pinwheels of many different styles and types are displayed everywhere.
What makes Xa Cong Temple special in the eyes of travelers, in addition to its ancient features, is also the presence of hundreds of pinwheels of different sizes. With just a gust of wind, these pinwheels spin simultaneously, creating a very unique scene.
What to do at Xa Cong Temple?
Don’t forget to buy a small pinwheel to pray for peace and luck.
In addition to offering incense and praying for peace, visitors can ask for a tattoo. In particular, pinwheels here are considered to bring good luck, so buying a pinwheel as a souvenir and praying for a little luck is also a good thing to do at Xa Cong Temple. According to local people, you must preserve the pinwheel carefully, don’t let anyone touch it, otherwise the luck will pass to someone else.