Recently, the local tour of Hong Kong's Sha Tau Kok Exclusion Zone was officially launched.
The Chief Executive of the HKSAR Government, Carrie Lam, attended the opening ceremony of Sha Tau Kok Pier and delivered a speech, saying, "Chung Ying Street is located on the border between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and for special historical reasons, Sha Tau Kok residents and Mainland residents can operate shops and shop at the same time on Chung Tau Kok Street. Sha Tau Kok Market has been restricted since the 1960s, so most Hong Kong citizens have never had the opportunity to set foot in Sha Tau Kok Market, which makes this place full of mystery. In fact, in addition to Zhongying Street, there are many places worth exploring in the area of Sha Tau Kok and Yin Chau Tong. To revitalize the villages around Yinzhoutang to add impetus and create opportunities for sustainable ecotourism."
New developments in the Northern Hong Kong Metropolitan Area
The HKSAR Government proposed the Northern Metropolitan Area Development Strategy in its 2021 Policy Address, and the Sha T tau Kok Exclusion Zone in the northern New Territories has now been gradually opened in June 2022. The Security Bureau and relevant departments have set up a six-month pilot scheme to allow designated tour groups to visit and use Sha Tau Kok Pier on designated dates during the first three-month period to visit neighbouring locations such as Lai Chi Wo and Ji O by boat, so as to provide the public with a deeper understanding of the local history, culture, natural scenery and tourist attractions.
The Northern Metropolitan Area Development Strategy proposes to gradually open the Sha Tau Kok Pier for tourism activities and study the supporting facilities needed for the long-term opening of Sha Tau Kok Market. With the development of the northern metropolitan area, this area will form the Dapeng Bay/Yinzhoutang Ecological Recreation Tourism Circle with Shenzhen's Yantian and Dapeng Peninsula.
The development of Sha Tau Kok tourism is of great significance and will usher in new development opportunities. The travel industry is absolutely pleased to see the introduction of local tours in the Sha Tau Kok Exclusion Zone, which is sure to add a new highlight to the Local Tour Group in Hong Kong.
In her speech at the launch ceremony on the same day, Carrie Lam said, "We will work with Shenzhen to propose the development of integrated ecological conservation and ecological recreation tourism, promote close interaction between the two places, and deepen the strategic spatial layout of the 'twin cities and three circles' between Hong Kong and Shenzhen." ”
The "Sha Tau Kok Exclusion Zone Local Tour" project is divided into two phases
According to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the "Sha Tau Kok Exclusion Zone Local Tour" project is divided into two phases, including the trial phase (3 June to 12 June 2022) and the post-trial phase (18 June to 28 August 2022). During the period, the public pier and designated area in the Sha Tau Kok Exclusion Zone will be open to licensed travel agents to organise tours on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, while additional stalls will be set up for local residents in the designated areas. There are two time slots on each operating day, with a total of 3 groups per period, each group is not more than 30 people, that is, a total of 6 tours depart every day. Currently, a total of 26 licensed travel agents organise Sha Tau Kok local tours from June to August.
Pre-requested local tour groups can take a boat from Sha Tau Kok Pier to nearby attractions such as Lai Chi Wo and Ji O. The HKSAR Government has added a number of facilities near the pier to introduce the characteristics of the district, including the new landmark "Sha Tau Kok Point", which is located in the easternmost corner of Sha Tau Kok, which can overlook both Hong Kong and Shenzhen at the same time, and the imitation "Boundary Stone" containing two ancient verses describing the beautiful scenery of Sha Tau Kok; And set aside space for Sha Tau Kok residents to sell special products, so that passengers can enjoy the picturesque scenery of Sha Tau Kok, while feeling the unique history and culture of the district.
Carrie Lam also said that "it is fervently hoped that this plan will create a win-win situation, not only gradually opening up the tourism development focusing on Sha Tau Kok, but also taking cultural inheritance and nature conservation as the core, and injecting new impetus into the Sha Tau Kok community; At the same time, it will give all Hong Kong citizens the opportunity to experience the true face of Sha Tau Kok, and can more easily travel to and from the outer islands through Sha Tau Kok Pier, and fully appreciate the natural features and unique cultural characteristics of hong Kong's northeast New Territories. ”
According to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, in the current trial stage, the "Sha Tau Kok Exclusion Zone Local Tour" organized by licensed travel agents has a variety of itineraries, including green eco-tourism, the history of the War of Resistance Against Japan, in-depth cultural and historical education and other elements. Members of the tour group can visit Sha Tau Kok Pier, pass by the ruins of Khong Ling Station, The Rock House (the "Hong Kong Sha Tau Kok Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall", which will open after 1 July), and look at the scenery of Chung Ying Street on the tour bus, and then take a special boat to the surrounding outer islands and neighboring areas such as Lai Chi Wo and Ji O, so as to deepen their understanding of the history, culture and natural scenery of Sha Tau Kok and the Outer Islands.
The reporter learned from the official website of the "Hong Kong Travel Industry Council" that at present, on June 18, June 26, July 1, July 10 and July 16, the "quota is full"; Subsequent dates did not publish the itinerary.
Future development
As for the development after the trial operation, the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government replied to the Nandu Wan Finance Agency reporter: The Sha Tau Kok Border Exclusion Zone is the first time that the Sha Tau Kok Border Exclusion Zone is partially opened to tourists under the pilot scheme, on the condition that tourists must participate in designated tour groups and apply for a border area permit as a member of the tour group. The Security Bureau will adjust the implementation details from September to November as necessary in light of the implementation of the Pilot Scheme in the first three months and the views of the tourism industry and regional figures.
In an interview with Nandu Wan Finance Agency, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said, "Green tourism is becoming more and more popular, and the HKTB has always promoted green tourism products and country scenery, including geoparks, hiking trails and outlying island tours. The opening of The Sha Tau Kok Pier will make it easier for the public to explore the nearby ecological and authentic cultural landscapes, such as Lai Chi Wo, etc., which is believed to increase the attractiveness of green tourism in Hong Kong, not only to give the public a new experience, but also to attract tourists after customs clearance. ”
Zhiduo D:
China Travel Service Hong Kong: "Sha Tau Kok Designated Area - Public Pier - Lai Chi Wo - Ji O One Day Tour" on July 16
In the morning, meet at the green area of Hung Hom Stadium - "Sha Tau Kok Designated Area, Public Pier" about 40 minutes by boat to Ji'ao for lunch "Ji'ao Style Meal", visit the island attractions - Ji'ao Story House " - about 20 minutes by boat to "Lai Chi Wo" - about 40 minutes by boat to Sha Tau Kok Across the head, delivery to the meeting point to disband (breakfast at your own expense, including lunch).
Sha Tau Kok Pier: Located in the border exclusion zone, it is a shortcut to and from Kyrgyzstan;
Lai Chi Wo: a former residential village in Sha Tau Kok, North New Territories, Hong Kong;
Ji'ao: A natural haven, so it is regarded as an auspicious bay by fishermen.
Written by: Xiao Yang, reporter of Nandu Bay Finance Agency
Courtesy photo: Hong Kong Tourism Board
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