From Polluted Shoreline to Swimmer's Return

Castle Peak Beach's story is one of environmental persistence. Once known as Yung Lung Beach, it was historically a popular swimming destination. Pollution from rapid urbanisation in Tuen Mun forced the government to close it in 1981, and for over two decades the shoreline sat with its sand off-limits to swimmers despite an elaborate HK$97 million complex of barbecue areas, children's playgrounds, and changing facilities built during the 1990s.↗

The turning point came from a combination of dredging works to remove accumulated seabed mud, new trunk sewers along Castle Peak Road, and interceptors on the Tuen Mun River that diverted pollutants before they reached the bay. On 1 June 2005 — after 24 years of closure — swimmers were finally allowed back. A shark-prevention net was installed just days before reopening, a safety feature it shares with other gazetted Hong Kong beaches.↗↗

Swimming, Barbecues, and Family Outings

The main draw in summer is simple: a swim in guarded, netted waters with a mountain view. The swimming zone covers about 0.8 hectares within the 2.97-hectare beach complex, patrolled by lifeguards of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Beyond the water, the beach's 27 barbecue pits make it one of the largest barbecue venues on any Tuen Mun beach — a reason families and friend groups choose it over more remote spots for weekend cookouts.↗↗

The beach complex also includes a restaurant, changing rooms, showers, and self-service storage cages. A children's play area and sitting-out spaces provide alternatives for those not in the water. In 2019, the LCSD estimated nearly 177,000 visitors came during the bathing season — the fewest among Tuen Mun's six beaches, meaning it never gets as packed as its more famous neighbours like Golden Beach.↗↗

Getting There and Visitor Tips

Castle Peak Beach sits at the 19th milestone on Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun. The Light Rail Sam Shing stop is within walking distance, and several bus routes (including KMB, Long Win, MTR Bus, and Citybus) stop right beside the beach. There is a car park on-site for those driving.↗↗

Lifeguard services operate from April to October: weekdays 9am to 6pm, and extended to 8am–7pm on weekends and public holidays during June through August. From November to March, swimming is technically still possible but unsupervised, so the water is best enjoyed in the warmer months.↗

Water quality is graded Fair (Grade 2) by the Environmental Protection Department, with occasional dips into Poor (Grade 3) after heavy rain. The EPD advises swimmers to avoid entering the water for up to three days after a storm, as surface runoff from the urbanised hinterland can temporarily reduce quality. The beach is also fully accessible, with barrier-free facilities including an accessible toilet, tactile guide path, and dedicated accessible parking.↗↗

For a classic Tuen Mun beach day, pair a morning swim at Castle Peak with lunch at the on-site restaurant, then walk or cycle along Castle Peak Road toward Golden Beach or Cafeteria Old Beach — all within a short stretch of coastline that together form one of Hong Kong's most concentrated seaside recreation zones.↗