Your step-by-step guide to visiting Sha Tau Kok

Even the most intrepid Hong Kong locals will be excited by the recent news: Sha Tau Kok, a historic border town between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, has reopened to the public. Closed in 1951, parts of the town have gradually become accessible again over the past couple of years – and as of January, you’ll be able to really sink your teeth into the area as it enters its second phase of reopening. 

Want to know more? Our handy Sha Tau Kok guide covers everything from how to get your permit to the best things to do in the area. 

How to get a Sha Tau Kok Tourism Closed Area Permit 

Currently, groups and individuals will need a Tourism Closed Area Permit to gain access to Sha Tau Kok. If you’d like to avoid doing the bulk of the paperwork yourself, a number of licensed agencies offer group tours that handle all the nitty gritty for you.  

Otherwise, you can apply directly for a free Closed Area Permit through the Hong Kong Police Force’s official website . You’ll be required to provide a form of identification (HKID or passport), and visitors to Hong Kong will also need to provide proof of their stay, like a printed hotel booking or transport ticket. Remember to bring these with you on the day of your visit too, as your documents will be checked before entering Sha Tau Kok.  

It’s best to plan your trip in advance, as the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong notes that it will take at least three working days for permits to be approved. 

How to get to Sha Tau Kok 

If you’re travelling with a tour group, you don’t have to worry about the details. Otherwise, individual visitors and groups can simply take the MTR to Sheung Shui and grab the 55K minibus to the village. Alternately, bus 277A also sets off for Sha Tau Kok from Lam Tin MTR station.  

Things to do in Sha Tau Kok 

Chung Ying Street 

This famed market street is where Shenzhen and Hong Kong converge. Once a buzzing centre for cross-boundary trade, the street is now lined with monuments which honour its history. While you can’t walk along Chung Ying Street itself, a garden with a viewing area has been set up for visitors to admire this cultural landmark.  

Sha Tau Kok pier 

Spanning 280m, Sha Tau Kok pier is the longest in Hong Kong. Built in the 1960s, it formed a picturesque solution to a practical issue: by extending into deeper waters, it allowed bulky cargo ships to dock around Sha Tau Kok, facilitating greater trade between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Nowadays, a mural at the pier honours the city’s heritage with colourful everyday scenes.  

Explore the town 

Know a stamp collector? At Sha Tau Kok’s reopened post office, you’ll be able to grab unique postcards chopped with the site’s official stamp. The village’s charming fire station is also a must-see for visitors, and if you’re lucky, you might be able to spot the 100-year-old crimson cart – a predecessor to the modern fire engine – sitting outside. Pay your respects to the Chinese god of war and brotherhood Kwan Tai at Hip Tin Temple , which houses a vibrant altar featuring animal and flower carvings, and stop by the Fish Lantern Square to admire traditional lantern dance displays. 

Lai Chi Wo 

This walled Hakka village is nestled among the fung shui woods and mangroves of the Hong Kong Unesco Global Geopark. Dating back three centuries, its traditional features have been carefully preserved. Homes are arranged in neat rows, with some repurposed as souvenir stores, while nearby farmland has been reinvigorated and food stalls touting Hakka snacks such as radish omelettes and braised pork  offer visitors a variety of culinary delights. Stop by the village’s story rooms to learn more about this unique settlement before exploring the stunning surrounding nature on foot.