Explainer | The good, bad and ugly of Yuen Long in Hong Kong, a northern town caught up in extradition bill violence
- Last weekend’s vicious mob attack at MTR station threw New Territories district into the limelight as new front opens in escalating political crisis
- But beneath the anxiety lies a quaint, rustic neighbourhood that holds fond traditions of old Hong Kong
“Whenever people find out I am from Yuen Long, they will ask whether there are cows walking around in the streets,” says 23-year-old Chris Wong, a student at the University of Hong Kong.
“I often reply: ‘Yes! I ride one to school every day,” he quips.
Wong, who has lived in Long Ping Estate since birth and studied there before going to HKU, says he loves to introduce his hometown as a quaint getaway from the dense city centre.
With its low-rise housing and rustic vibe a sharp contrast to the hectic urban lifestyle Hong Kong is mostly associated with, the northern town in the New Territories could not be more different.
The district also houses a culturally diverse community with a mix of indigenous villagers, new immigrants and young middle-class couples, as well as ethnic minorities.
But a darker side to Yuen Long exists – it is known to be a triad stronghold, with gangs thought to recruit youths from the villages.