Ping Shan Heritage Trail: Pre-colonial Hong Kong

Centuries before the British arrived, Hong Kong’s New Territories were populated by walled villages built by clans to protect themselves from bandits, pirates, and even roving tigers…

Want to escape Hong Kong this weekend but not really feeling energized enough for a hike? The Ping Shan Heritage Trail in Tin Shui Wai/Yuen Long is the perfect day out of the city with a bit of history and culture thrown into the mix.

I took my visiting aunties and uncle here (so obviously I couldn’t do anything too strenuous with them) – and they loved it! It’s a great taste of “ancient” Hong Kong, most of which has disappeared in the last century due to modernization at breakneck speed. Luckily, this heritage trail was created thus preserving the landmarks on it…

At the Yeung Hau Temple, Hang Tau Tsuen

Get there

From the MTR Hong Kong Station (Central), the start of the trail is only 30-45 minutes by train. Head to the MTR Tin Shui Wai Station and take Exit E3:

You’ll directly exit into a Light Rail platform; just find your way out into the road from the platform.

Distance: 1.6 kilometres, passing through several declared monuments and graded buildings

Map of the Ping Shan heritage trail

Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda

Hong Kong’s only ancient pagoda (built more than 600 years ago), right across the MTR station. IMPORTANT: You can pick up your free brochure/map inside.

There was a big group of HKU exchange students doing a tour of the heritage trail the day we went

Shrine of the Earth God

Sheung Cheung Wai walled village

A 200 year old well, once the main source of drinking water for two villages

Yeung Hau Temple, with three different gods inside

Tang Ancestral Hall, constructed 700 years ago

I actually brought my camera that day as I was researching for an article. Hope you appreciate the effort… haha

 

Yu Kiu Ancestral Hall

At my favourite part of the trail: Ching Shu Hin, an L-shaped two-storey building used as a guest house by visiting scholars

 

And the final stop, which was further away from everything else – and uphill too – but totally worth it:

IMPORTANT: You can pick up your free brochure/map inside this building. There’s also an exhibit within.

And did I mention the fantastic view?

I would definitely recommend this short and easy trail for a relaxed but interesting stroll packed with a lot of cultural sights 🙂

Where to eat before or after doing the trail:

Tai Wing Wah Restaurant 大榮華酒樓

I found this on the Michelin Guide, we came here for dim sum. It’s right by the MTR Yuen Long Station a few hops away via MTR. (or MTR Long Ping if I remember correctly)

2/F, Koon Wong Mansion, 2-6 On Ning Road, Yuen Long
元朗安寧路2-6號2樓

Chaozhou Rice Roll 潮式腸粉
Shop 5, G/F, Kin Fai Building, 69 Fung Cheung Street, Yuen Long
元朗鳳翔街69號建輝大廈地下5號鋪

Ho To Tai Noodle Shop 好到底麵家
G/F, 67, Fau Tsoi Street, Yuen Long
元朗阜財街67號地舖