Hakka village festival shows Hong Kong’s beautiful countryside and cultural heritage

One of the attendees was Jason Lee, a South Korean exchange student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The 21-year-old said he wanted to go beyond the usual tourist spots and explore the city’s traditions.

“Seeing local life up close – from the street food stalls to the fishing boats – was fascinating,” he said. “Coming from abroad, these everyday scenes gave me a completely new perspective on Hong Kong.”

Lee said the city should promote these special experiences. “It’s about finding the right balance between traditional tourism draws and showcasing Hong Kong’s lesser-known sides,” the student said.

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The festival was funded by the Hong Kong Community Heritage Foundation. It is part of a push to encourage visitors to explore rural areas. The event was organised by the Countryside Conservation Office and the Tourism Innovation Studio conservation group.

Kuk Po is a quiet area in the northeastern New Territories near Plover Cove Country Park.

It was once a thriving village, but over the years, residents left as Hong Kong’s urban areas became more developed. Kuk Po’s only school closed its doors in 1993.

William Ip is a guide with over 10 years of experience with tours in Hong Kong’s rural areas. He praised the role of festivals like this one in Kuk Po.

“It’s a good thing because most Hong Kong people feel that city life revolves around things like watching films, having morning tea, travelling to mainland China or flying to Japan,” Ip said.

He said visitors were also interested in countryside experiences. He had welcomed many tourists who came to the city for hiking.

Ip also proposed organising longer stays for visitors to create deeper connections with the village: “If you just come for a day, spend two hours commuting in and out, and then leave, what kind of meaningful experience can you gain from that?”

But Ip warned that it was important to find a balance between promoting tourism and protecting the villagers’ way of life.

“For example, the villagers in [nearby] Sha Tau Kok don’t like it at all. That’s why half the area is inaccessible to us – we have to respect their preferences,” he said.

Lee Muk-sing is Kuk Po’s village representative. He said the area’s beauty and scenery could help visitors feel calm.

“Kuk Po is home to unique natural wonders and historic architecture,” he said.

“This village shows that Hong Kong is not just a bustling city but also a haven for countryside charm.”

The festival had a few exhibitions with photographs and artwork from different community members. It also invited 230 pupils to take part in craft activities to capture the village’s history. Many of these exhibitions will be available for visitors to see until February 16.

At the opening ceremony, environment minister Tse Chin-wan said the government was committed to protecting the countryside.

He said the festival was part of a plan to build a “sustainable future”.

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