Tai Po District

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Tai Po District is one of Hong Kong’s 18 districts, located in the New Territories. It covers about 148 square kilometers and has a population of around 316,000 people (2021). The district seat is Tai Po New Town.

What Tai Po includes
- Tai Po New Town and nearby areas: Tai Po Market, Tai Po Old Market, Tai Wo Estate, and the Lam Tsuen area.
- Rural and hillside areas: Tai Po Tau, Tai Po Kau, Hong Lok Yuen, Ting Kok, Plover Cove, Lam Tsuen Valley, and Tai Mei Tuk.
- Exclaves and islands: Sai Kung North in the northern Sai Kung Peninsula, as well as Grass Island (Tap Mun) and Ping Chau. Tolo Harbour separates Tai Po from Sai Kung North.

Geography and nature
- The district is surrounded by fertile valleys and waterways, including the Lam Tsuen River and Tolo Harbour.
- It has a lot of woodlands, making it one of the greener parts of Hong Kong.

History in brief
- Tai Po grew from a traditional market town into a modern town built on reclaimed land near the Lam Tsuen and Tai Po rivers.
- The Island House (completed in 1906) was once the District Officer’s residence.

Transport and travel
- The East Rail line connects Tai Po to the rest of Hong Kong, with Tai Po Market and Tai Wo stations.
- Buses link Tai Po to Kowloon, Central, and even the airport (examples include A47X and E41 routes).
- Trains run from the Chinese border through Tai Po to Admiralty.

People and education
- The district is split into two main school zones: 84 for Tai Po New Town and nearby villages, and 95 for Sai Kung North and Sai Kung District.
- As of 2018, there were about 19 secondary schools in Tai Po.
- International and special schools: Hong Kong Japanese School has a Tai Po campus; there have been plans for other international schools in the area. The Education University of Hong Kong has a campus in Tai Po, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong sits near the border in the area.

Public facilities and sports
- Tai Po Public Library serves residents.
- Tai Po has several sports facilities, including a well-known swimming pool and the Tai Po Sports Association.
- Tai Po FC is a local football club with a history of competition in Hong Kong’s leagues.

Industry and economy
- Tai Po Industrial Estate hosts light industries and is home to major plants such as those used for gas and printing.
- The area also contains residential estates with many high-rise buildings, especially in Tai Po Town, alongside traditional village houses.

Housing and living
- The district features a mix of high-rise estates (like Tai Po Centre and Fu Heng Estates) and older village houses.
- Village houses are a result of a historical policy that allowed certain ancestral lands to be used for building small homes, typically restricted in size and height.

Local government
- The Tai Po District Council represents residents. The district office and council headquarters are typically located in Tai Po, including facilities on Ting Kok Road.
- For wider Hong Kong governance, Tai Po is part of the New Territories East constituency for the Legislative Council.

Notes
- The area is known for its natural scenery, with green valleys and waterside views, as well as a balance of urban and rural living.
- Development plans in Ting Kok and other parts aim to balance tourism, job opportunities, and environmental protection.