Visitors To Sha Tau Kok Can See Hong Kong’s Largest Guangzhou-Style Arcade Complex & City’s Longest Pier

Hong Kong’s northernmost town, Sha Tau Kok, will open to visitors next month. Some of the restricted area’s attractions include San Lau Street, the largest Guangzhou-style arcade complex in Hong Kong, and Sha Tau Kok Pier, the longest pier in the SAR.

By Anjali Muthanna2023-12-18Updated:2023-12-183 Mins Read

When the town of Sha Tau Kok completely opens to visitors next month, tourists will be able to get a glimpse into aspects of the restricted area that make it unique. Non-residents will have unrestricted access to the Frontier Closed Area, except for Chung Ying Street, which is shared between Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Visitors to Sha Tau Kok will get a chance to walk down San Lau Street, the largest remaining Guangzhou-style arcade complex in Hong Kong, and Sha Tau Kok Pier, which, at 280 metres, is the longest pier in Hong Kong. Other attractions include the old Sha Tau Kok Fire Station, with a replica of a century-old fire-fighting handcart on occasional display, and the Hip Tin Temple, which is a declared monument.

chung ying street garden and fish lantern square sha tau kok hong kong — Visitors to Sha Tau Kok can see the newly opened Chung Ying Street Garden and Fish Lantern Square.

Authorities have also created new sightseeing spots for visitors to the town, the highlight being Chung Ying Street Garden in front of the Chung Ying Street Checkpoint. Tourists can head to the viewing deck to get a look at Chung Ying Street and a replica of an old railway station in Hong Kong. The new Fish Lantern Square pays homage to Sha Tau Kok’s traditional folk dance to give thanks to the goddess Mazu that dates back more than 300 years.

Anyone interested in visiting Sha Tau Kok must apply for a free Closed Area Permit online, under the individual quota (300 per day) or group quota (700 per day). Individual visitors must provide their HKID details if they reside in Hong Kong, or their passport and travel information if they live outside the city. Group visitors can only enter Sha Tau Kok with a licensed travel agent and all tour participants should have valid identity and, in the case of non-Hong Kong residents, supporting travel documents.

hip tin temple sha tau kok hong kong — The Hip Tin Temple at Sha Tau Kok dedicated to Kwan Tai dates back to 1900.

While group visitors may enter Sha Tau Kok in a tour vehicle, individual tourists may only take the following public transport to the town:

Bus routes 78S (express) or 78K at MTR Sheung Shui Station or Fanling Station
Minibus route No. 55K at MTR Sheung Shui Station and get off at the terminal
Bus route No. 277A at MTR Lam Tin Station