Walk down memory lane in historic Hong Kong border town boost to area’s economy, John Lee says as he flags up new eco-tourism ferry route
- Average of 1,800 visitors a month visit historic Hong Kong border town Sha Tau Kok after partial reopening in June 2022
- Chief Executive John Lee says eco-tourism visits have boosted area and hinted at new ferry service to link town to other natural attractions in New Territories
The Security Bureau provided the statistics as Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu visited the town on Saturday and said the influx of visitors, closed off to most outsiders since the 1950s as part of a colonial-era bid to combat illegal immigration, had lifted the area’s economy.
“I am very happy to see that many residents in the district have welcomed this plan, which has brought vitality to Sha Tau Kok, boosted the local economy and increased the level of happiness in its residents,” Lee said as he marked the second phase of the town’s opening up.
“This proves that the history, culture and natural scenery of Sha Tau Kok is unique, attractive and valued by tourists.”
Lee said about 34,000 people in 860 tour groups had visited the border town since its partial reopening.
Up to 1,000 people a day could apply for a Closed Area Permit to visit the area from the start of this year – except for still-restricted Chung Ying Street – with 700 slots reserved for tour groups and 300 for individuals.
Lee, accompanied by Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, on Saturday visited Dried Seafood Street in the Sha Tau Kok market and spoke to stall operators, who said they welcomed the increased footfall.
He said Sha Tau Kok’s closeness to Robin’s Nest and Double Haven in the northeast New Territories made it a strategic eco-tourism destination.
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Lee signalled a new outer islands ferry route from the town, which would take visitors to geoparks in the area, but did not give details.
“Sha Tau Kok also borders Yantian District, Shenzhen, providing opportunities for cultural and tourism cooperation between Hong Kong and Shenzhen,” he added.
Lee also visited the old Sha Tau Kok Fire Station, which remains unchanged, and unveiled a century-old firefighting hand cart.
Tsang Yuk-on, the vice-chairman of the Sha Tau Kok Rural District Committee, said the government’s tourism drive had meant local people had rented empty stores and turned them into shops aimed at tourists.
He added that new ventures might not have been viable if the shops had to rely only on business from residents in the restricted area.
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Tsang said that the 1,000 daily visitor quota was more than enough as crowds mostly visited at weekends and would pass through Sha Tau Kok to reach the geoparks on Crooked Island and at Lai Chi Wo.
“We understand that opening up is a concern to residents who have lived in the quiet town for decades, so we are working with authorities to ensure tighter security in the public housing estates and dispel their worries about tourists,” he added.
The latest attraction at the frontier town is an observation deck at the Chung Ying Street Garden, overlooking historic Chung Ying Street.
The street, which is not open to visitors, is where Shenzhen and city authorities share jurisdiction and where residents of both places can run shops and visit it.
The garden also has a full-size replica of an old steam locomotive set in surroundings designed to look like the old Sha Tau Kok Railway Station.
Other nearby destinations include the Cape of Sha Tau Kok in the eastern corner, with views overlooking the sea and neighbouring Shenzhen, as well as Sha Tau Kok Pier, the city’s longest, which stretches 280 metres (917 feet) out to sea.
