Sai Kung ranked as ninth coolest neighbourhood on the planet by Time Out

^{Sai Kung by night: Photo: peterlamphotography.com}

For its third year, Time Out has named the coolest neighbourhoods around the world, and Hong Kong’s back garden, Sai Kung, nabs the 9th spot on the list. Just like the past years, the magazine quizzed 27,000 city-dwellers and asked local experts to come up with their annual ranking of the world’s coolest districts. The Time Out Index survey results were combined with the expertise of local editors, and neighbourhoods were chosen not only for all the cool stuff that it represents but also the kind stuff that affects its communities and the environment. 

Time Out’s citation:

Last year Sham Shui Po was Hong Kong’s coolest neighbourhood because of the strong community spirit that it reflected due to the times. This year, Sai Kung is representing the city for its laidback lifestyle, verdant escapes, and for being a community that fosters healthy and sustainable living. Aside from enjoying spacious living options (which is a scarcity in our city), living in Sai Kung district feels like you’re always on a holiday because the neighbourhood is surrounded by idyllic beaches, abundant green spaces, and picturesque hiking trails. Along with all sorts of water sports and activities – that tourists may not necessarily picture themselves doing in Hong Kong – the area offers a lot of al fresco drinking and dining experiences, as well as green living choices with numerous organic farms, health food shops, eco-friendly venues, and zero-waste shops. And with HKwalls’ annual street art festival giving the area a colourful makeover with 18 new murals this year, the creative spirit and street art culture is well and truly alive here. Over the years, we have seen eco-warriors pop-up in the district, making small but big ripples in the state of the city’s sustainability and environment, which includes environmental community groups like Friends of Sai Kung (FSK), who regularly conducts beach cleanups, monthly recycling events, and seminars to preserve Sai Kung’s environment. 

For the complete list of neighbourhoods and their rankings go to https://www.timeout.com/coolest-neighbourhoods-in-the-world