Hong Lok Yuen seems a little out-of-touch with the rest of Hong Kong. For one, it's quite secluded - accessible by a private shuttle bus or taxi, while the closest public bus is a 15 minute walk in the scorching heat over the Hong Lok Yuen bridge. Secondly, some of the houses are in need of desperate renovation, with crumbling walls or overgrown greenery on a few houses. And finally, it's a little out-of-touch because everything you could ever need is inside its exclusive walls: a gas station, a convenience store, a bakery, a supermarket, two parks, a pub (a pub?!), a country club, a Chinese restaurant, a Western restaurant, a gym, courts, and a pool. Oh, and its own international school.
I was a country club member when I used to live in Hong Lok Yuen but non-residents can also apply for the monthly membership or gym pass at Simply Fitness here. If you're living in Tai Po or Fanling area, I would definitely recommend the club for that weekend family day. As I mentioned, there are a number of recreational activities and spaces available, including tennis courts, squash courts, table tennis, and pool. The tennis courts are always rather busy, as the club gives lessons with a private coach and holds tournaments. The gym, admittedly, is rather small but has all the standard facilities. Unfortunately, it does tend to get busy - especially with rugby players living in the area, who sometimes get covered by their sports team to gym here. Additionally, I've noticed the pilates and Zumba classes can be rather cliquey with housewives in Hong Lok Yuen.
For more relaxation, the General's Arms has since undergone a renovation in the last few years. I remember attending its grand reopening and was blown away by how chic it looked, with the rich wood panelling stealing the show, and two new pool tables for everyone's enjoyment. The playground, too, was revamped, making it an excellent area for children and parents to enjoy the Hong Kong summer. read more