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American School Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China
IBAmericanInternational Baccalaureate
Ages 5–18
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Known as Hong Kong's back garden, offering nature-immersed lifestyle with country parks, hiking, and a lively waterfront village.
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions
Monthly family budget estimates (USD)
A family renting a 2-3 bedroom apartment (600-800 sq ft) in Sai Kung town or Pak Sha Wan, using public transport, children at Clearwater Bay School (ESF) or Hong Kong Academy.
A family in a village house (1200-1500 sq ft) in Tai Mong Tsai or Clear Water Bay Road area, two cars, children at international schools, live-in helper, active outdoor lifestyle.
A family in a large detached house with garden in Clear Water Bay or Silverstrand, children at top schools, boat ownership or marina berth, country club membership.
Sai Kung offers more space for the money than Hong Kong Island, with village houses and low-rise developments available. The trade-off is the longer commute and higher transport costs. Groceries and dining are reasonably priced in the town itself. All figures in USD.
Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)
Yearly average AQI is 43. Best air quality Jan–Dec (best: Jul at 30).
Sai Kung has a well-established expat community, particularly British, Australian, French, and South African families drawn by the outdoor lifestyle and relative space. Local Chinese fishing families have roots going back generations, giving the town an authentic village character that contrasts with Hong Kong's urban sprawl. The wider Sai Kung area includes more affluent pockets around Clear Water Bay and Silverstrand, where larger houses with gardens are available.
Sai Kung is Hong Kong's outdoor playground. The Sai Kung East Country Park contains some of the territory's most spectacular beaches, including the famous Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay), consistently rated among Asia's best. Hap Mun Bay (Half Moon Bay), accessible by kaito (small ferry) from Sai Kung town pier, is a family favourite with calm, clear water and fine sand. Sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and sailing are all thriving activities based out of Sai Kung marina.
Sai Kung town is connected to the wider MTR network via green minibus 1A to Choi Hung MTR station and minibus 101M to Hang Hau MTR station (both roughly 25-30 minutes). Bus routes 92, 96R, and 299X provide additional connections. However, frequency decreases significantly in the evenings and on less popular routes. Getting to Central from Sai Kung takes roughly 60-75 minutes door-to-door, making it one of the longer commutes in Hong Kong.
Sai Kung town has a vibrant wet market that is one of the best in Hong Kong for fresh seafood — you can buy live fish, prawns, and crabs directly from the boats at the waterfront and have them cooked at nearby restaurants. A ParknShop and Wellcome serve everyday grocery needs. The town centre has a good selection of small shops, bakeries, and convenience stores. For bigger shopping trips, MegaBox or APM malls in Kowloon Bay are about 30 minutes away.
Sai Kung's coastal and semi-rural setting means summers are hot (30-32C) but with better air circulation than urban areas. The beaches and water activities make the heat manageable. Afternoon thunderstorms are common and can be sudden and intense — hikers should start early and be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon. The country park trails can become slippery and muddy after rain. Mosquitoes are a year-round presence but peak in the wet summer months.
