Cherry Ko heads north to see what’s happening in Yuen Long.

Eat

Tanaka Japanese Restaurant
It’s not too difficult to spot Tanaka—the queues for seats stretch out of the door and down the street at Yuen Long’s worst kept secret. This Japanese restaurant is so busy that staff have to ask the customers to finish their food within 45 minutes so that the waiting customers can get a seat. And at $17 for 2 huge portions of salmon sushi and $58 for a big plate of fresh sashimi, you realize why everyone is happy to queue. 18 Yuen Long Main Rd., 2474-7874

Wing Nin Stall
A famous go-to for delicious and inexpensive “cart noodles.” But again, prepare to wait if you’re ordering takeaway. Choose from a huge selection of local specialties like fishballs, chicken wings, pig intestines and pig’s blood jelly, and remember to ask for extra spice if you like it hot. There’s no price list anywhere to be seen, and you’ll only find out how much your meal costs once it arrives at your table. But with a bowl of noodles plus three toppings coming in at $15-$20, we’re not complaining. Bo Shing Building, Fung Nin Rd.

Tsang Heung Egg Roll
Although the self-proclaimed egg roll expert is tucked away down one of the small pathways along the Yuen Long Main Road, the aroma of their crispy and richly eggy rolls—$35 for 25 or $18 for 8—is what has attracted local Yuen Longers for years. Egg rolls not your thing? There’s a selection of other traditional snacks, too. 124E, Yuen Long Main Rd., 2476-1334

Red Penny
Sure, Thai restaurants are a dime a dozen in Hong Kong, but when you find a really great one, your run-of-the mill joints will never be quite the same. Red Penny is one such restaurant, their specialty being fresh shellfish, fish and crab. Their most popular dishes include crab curry ($198) and fish flake salad ($98). It’s not the cheapest restaurant in town, but it’s so popular, reservations are highly recommended. 148 Kam Sheung Rd., 2488-3263

Play

Hong Kong Wetland Park
Want to be one with nature? The 61-hectare Hong Kong Wetland Park is a good place to start. This world-class conservation area is a habitat for a wide range of wild animals that you never knew lived here. The huge visitor’s center complements the reserve and is an educational and thought-provoking way to learn more about ecology and conservation. $30 for adults, $15 concession. Or you can apply for the annual pass ($100, or $200 per family of four). Wetland Park Rd., Tin Shui Wai, 2708-8885

Tsim Bei Tsui Organic Farm
Getting to the great outdoors in Hong Kong isn’t easy, but there is a place you can rent out a real Mongolian yurt. Tsim Bei Tsui Organic offers tents of different sizes, suitable for everyone from a pair of lovers looking for a romantic getaway, to a 12-person barbecue party. There is also a dragonfruit farm, the only one in Hong Kong, and lots of other organic vegetables for sale. Be sure to notify staff if you’re going to visit five days in advance so they know to arrange barbecue food for you. $800 for a 2-5 person yurt, $1,500 for 8-10. Tsim Bei Tsui, 2472-6962, www.yl.hk/birds

Tai Tong Lychee Valley
The weather is finally cooling down, and what better time to get out of the aircon and head outdoors? Tai Tong Lychee Valley is famous as a lychee farm where you can learn more about organic farming and even grow your own vegetables, but it is also packed with other activities. From barbecues to pony rides, petting zoos to fruit picking, there are tons of activities on offer for a fun day out. 11 Tai Tong Shan Rd., 2470-2201

History

Ping Shan Heritage Trail
The very first heritage trail in Hong Kong, Ping Shan has one of the longest recorded histories among all the districts of Hong Kong. It was once the home of the Tang clan, one of the five great clans of the New Territories whose history can be traced back to the 12th century. Check out the elegant structures that remain today, a testimony to the historical and the social development over the past centuries. The trail is about 1 kilometer long, meandering through Hang Mei Tsuen, Han Tau Tsuen and Sheung Cheung Wai, linking up a number of traditional Chinese structures along the way. Ping Shan, 2721-2326

Pat Heung Old Temple
This temple was built back in the 18th century, and although it may be built for the people to worship, it’s the delicious “poon choi,” or big bowl feast, that really draws the crowds. During traditional Chinese festivals, people will drive all the way to Pat Heung Old Temple to feast, and if you want to order poon choi takeaway during peak seasons like the Lunar New Year, you may have to order it a couple of months in advance. A big bowl, which is enough to serve 12-13 people, costs $808, while a smaller one is $538 for 6-8 people. They can arrange delivery for you. Plus, if you order 5 or more, they will deliver for free. Pat Heung Sheung Tsuen, 2472-6962