Every great Sai Kung adventure has a starting line, and for the wild eastern back country it is Pak Tam Chung. This unassuming junction is the gateway to Sai Kung East Country Park — the trailhead for the MacLehose Trail, the site of the country park visitor centre, and the launch point for reservoirs, beaches and remote villages beyond.
The gateway to the back country
Pak Tam Chung sits where the public road from Sai Kung Town meets the edge of the protected hills. Beyond it, private traffic gives way to country park, and the only ways onward are on foot, by the restricted Tai Mong Tsai road buses, or by boat. That makes it the natural threshold between the town and the wilderness — the place where day-trippers, hikers, campers and charity walkers all converge before heading into the green.
For visitors, that concentration is convenient: in one compact spot you’ll find the visitor centre, the start of the MacLehose Trail, the Trailwalker monument, an easy nature trail, a Hakka folk museum, bus stops, toilets and a kiosk. Whether you’re planning an epic multi-day trek or a gentle family stroll, this is where you orient yourself before setting out.
What to see at Pak Tam Chung
The Country Park Visitor Centre
The Sai Kung East Country Park Visitor Centre is the obvious first stop. Its exhibits introduce the area’s volcanic geology — the same rhyolitic rock that forms the famous hexagonal columns of the UNESCO Geopark — along with the local ecology, history and walking routes. It’s an ideal place to pick up maps, check conditions and understand what you’re about to walk through.
The MacLehose Trail start and Trailwalker monument
Pak Tam Chung is kilometre zero of the MacLehose Trail, Hong Kong’s 100 km signature long-distance path that runs all the way across the New Territories in ten sections. A stone Trailwalker monument marks the official start — the same point from which the gruelling Oxfam Trailwalker charity event sets off each year, with teams covering the full 100 km. For hikers, touching the monument before stepping onto MacLehose Trail Section 1 is a small ritual and a favourite photo stop.
The Pak Tam Chung Nature Trail
Not everyone is here for a 100 km epic. The short, flat Pak Tam Chung Nature Trail runs about a kilometre from the visitor centre, past mangroves and a freshwater stream to a restored Hakka village. It’s the gentlest walk in the park and a perfect first taste of Sai Kung’s nature for families and beginners.
The Sheung Yiu Folk Museum
At the end of the nature trail stands the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum, a restored 19th-century fortified Hakka village. Once home to a lime-burning family, it now displays village houses, farming and fishing tools and an old lime kiln — a free, vivid glimpse of the rural Hakka life that predates the country parks.
Why every back-country trip starts here
The reason Pak Tam Chung matters is geography. From this single gateway you can reach an extraordinary range of Sai Kung’s highlights:
- The High Island Reservoir and its East Dam hexagonal columns, via the flat MacLehose Section 1 road.
- The wild surf beaches of Tai Long Wan — Sai Wan, Ham Tin and Tai Wan — over the hills of Section 2.
- The deeper trails, campsites and villages of Sai Kung East Country Park.
- Easy interpretive walking and Hakka heritage, right at the trailhead.
Because road access ends here, Pak Tam Chung is also where you make practical decisions: top up water, use the toilets, check the last bus times, and confirm your plan before committing to the trail.
How to get there
There is no MTR station in Sai Kung, so the journey is two steps: reach Sai Kung Town first, then take a country-park bus to Pak Tam Chung.
| From | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sai Kung Town | Bus 94 | Daily, toward Wong Shek; alight at Pak Tam Chung |
| Sai Kung Town | Bus 96R | Sundays & public holidays only, runs from Diamond Hill via Sai Kung |
| City | Bus 92 from Diamond Hill, or minibus 1A from Choi Hung | To Sai Kung Town first, then transfer |
From the city, the simplest route is KMB bus 92 from Diamond Hill MTR (Exit C2), about 45–60 minutes to Sai Kung Town; or the frequent green minibus 1A from Choi Hung MTR (Exit C2), about 20–25 minutes. At Sai Kung Town, change to bus 94 (daily) or 96R (Sundays and holidays) for Pak Tam Chung. See the full getting to Sai Kung guide for details. Octopus is accepted throughout.
Best time to visit
- Autumn and winter (October–March) offer the coolest, clearest weather for both long hikes and gentle walks.
- Early starts are essential for the longer trails and beat the worst heat and the weekend crowds at the bus stops.
- Sundays and holidays add the 96R service but also bring more hikers — start early or expect queues for buses back.
- Always check weather warnings; the back country is exposed and the Tai Long Wan beaches have dangerous currents.
Practical tips and safety
- Carry plenty of water and food — beyond Pak Tam Chung, supplies are scarce and unreliable.
- Note the last bus back to Sai Kung Town before you set off; missing it can mean a long walk or costly taxi.
- Wear proper footwear and sun protection; much of the back country is exposed.
- Tell someone your route if attempting the longer MacLehose sections, and carry a charged phone.
- Take all litter home — facilities thin out fast once you leave the gateway.
Start your Sai Kung journey here
Whether you’re chasing the full MacLehose Trail, ambling the nature trail with children, or simply visiting the folk museum, Pak Tam Chung is where it all begins. Get your bearings at the visitor centre, fill your water bottle, and step into one of Hong Kong’s wildest and most beautiful country parks. Plan your trip with the transport guide and let the back country unfold.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Pak Tam Chung important?
It is the main gateway and trailhead for Sai Kung East Country Park, with the visitor centre, the start of the MacLehose Trail and the Trailwalker monument, plus the nature trail and folk museum — almost every back-country trip begins here.
How do I get to Pak Tam Chung?
Take bus 94 (daily) or 96R (Sundays and public holidays) from Sai Kung Town toward Wong Shek and alight at Pak Tam Chung. From the city, reach Sai Kung Town first — see the transport guide.
What is the Trailwalker monument?
It is the stone marker at Pak Tam Chung where the 100 km MacLehose Trail — and the famous Oxfam Trailwalker charity event that follows it — officially begins. It is a popular photo stop for hikers.
