A day in Tai Mei Tuk

Tai Mei Tuk is a high-spirited destination that promises a weekend of fishing, cycling, boating and barbecuing. Located next to the Plover Cove Dam, it's actually a cluster of several distinct villages, each with their own shrines and ancestral halls. All of them have sprawled together to form a kind of holiday destination for people looking to escape the pressures of city life.

“I like to come out here to sit on the dam. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Hong Kong,” says Greg Brown, a regular visitor. On a clear day, you’ll find families flying kites and riding bicycles back and forth across the dam, the waters of Plover Cove lapping against one side of the dam, the waters of Tolo Harbour on the other.

Cycling is one of the best ways to reach Tai Mei Tuk. Start in Tai Po town centre, where bicycle rental shops and app-controlled share bikes compete for customers. From there, dedicated cycle tracks take you along the Lam Tsuen River to Tai Po Waterfront Park, which is home to an insect enclosure, a flower garden, a model boat pool and an observation tower that spirals up into the sky. A large lawn overlooking the harbour is a great place for a picnic.

Another 10 minutes of pedalling gets you from the monastery to Tai Mei Tuk. This place is designed for escape. Cafes like Pimary (part of a lovely lifestyle store) offer tranquil spaces to while away the afternoon, while the row of alfresco restaurants along Sam Wo Road attract a constant stream of diners for lunch and dinner. Many opt to cook their own meals at the expansive public barbecue site overlooking Tolo Harbour. Each of the marble-clad pits is free to use; bring your own food and charcoal or buy it from the kiosks nearby.