We talk to CLAUDIA SOLENTHALER about her journey to living in Hong Kong. Claudia was born to HK-Chinese and Swiss parents and has had the privilege of living in 12 countries, which she says has shaped her global perspective. We chat with her for a more local perspective about her Hong Kong neighbourhood, which is near Kam Sheung Road MTR in Yuen Long District.
# About Claudia
“I’m the Founder of The Modern Pui Yuet (@themodernpy), where I focus on DIY postpartum care based on time-honoured traditions. I’m also the Co-Founder of The Farmers Table (@farmerstablehk), a farm-to-table private kitchen serving organic, Michelin quality meals. By day, I work in executive communications in banking.”
# About her Hong Kong neighbourhood
What’s the name of your street?
Ha Chuk Yuen – it’s in San Tin, in Yuen Long District.
What does it mean in Chinese?
“Lower Bamboo Village.”
What’s a common myth or misconception about your neighbourhood?
That it’s full of triads – but really, it’s a peaceful, family friendly spot with lots of personality.
Exact words you tell a taxi or ride-share driver to get home?
In Cantonese: “Jun jaw, joy jun jaw, ting hai lap sap jam” (“turn left, turn left again, and stop by the garbage collection point!”). Nine times out of ten, they’ll ask, “How do I get out of here afterwards?”
Closest MTR station?
Yuen Long or Kam Sheung Road – both are about the same distance.
How long have you lived here? Why here?
Almost three years! We moved from the island after having our daughter because we wanted more space, countryside living, and a better quality of life for our two dogs. Now, with our son in the mix, we’d never go back.
Tell us a bit about your home.
It’s a charming village house that we’ve really made our own. Every room has its own quirky wallpaper, giving it loads of character. It was built in 2009, but we did a full renovation when we moved in to make it fit our style. We even have a small entertaining area out front for barbecues and wine and-cheese nights. It’s a compact 320 square feet per floor but it spans four floors, so it’s all about vertical living. Small but mighty, and perfect for raising a family.
# Yuen Long highlights
When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see?
The garbage collection point, ha! But honestly, it’s not as bad as it sounds because you’re immediately greeted by lush trees and greenery – the perks of living in the countryside.
What’s the closest store to your front door?
The local village store – but don’t expect much more than tissue packets and soft drinks. We recently discovered a 7-Eleven and a cute little convenience store at the Yau Pok Light Housing Project, packed with random Chinese snacks and sweets. It’s brand new but just a three minute bike ride away.
If your street was chosen for a remake of a film, which would it be and why?
It would have to be a mix of Kung Fu Hustle and a countryside comedy. You’ve got colourful local characters, dramatic (but harmless) village gossip, and random firework shows lighting up the sky. It’s chaotic, unpredictable, and endlessly entertaining.
We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you’d like a little less of?
The construction next door is driving us mad. The house hadn’t been lived in for over 70 years (we even joked it was haunted), but now the owners are rebuilding it from the ground up – jackhammers, pipes and all. And then there’s our nosey neighbour, who once walked into our yard uninvited while we were getting the drains cleared. He started bossing the workers around like he was the foreman. I had to tell him to leave, and let’s just say he wasn’t too happy about it.
What’s the unofficial uniform of your street?
Tank tops and flip-flops – functional and easy for village life.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street or nearby?
A self-proclaimed “physio” giving treatments on the street, or the occasional shady middle-of-the-night car exchanges. Always something to keep you on your toes!
# Things to do in this part of Yuen Long District
What are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the neighbourhood, and why?
- Chinese Legend: it’s a five-minute walk from our house and our go-to for incredible dim sum.
- Thai Star is a hidden gem where you can eat Thai food while sitting in colourful private buses. It’s quirky, fun, and our daughter loves it!
- Thanks to the amazing fresh produce from the wet markets and the organic farm right down the street, cooking at home has become a joy. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal with the freshest ingredients.
What are the best places to shop in Yuen Long?
For quick supermarket runs, Fusion in Palm Springs or Fairview Park is handy. The wet markets in Yuen Long are fantastic for fresh seafood and veggies.
There’s also an organic farm right at the start of our street. While their produce thrives in the cooler months, they grow year-round and have unbeatable greens and tomatoes. Plus, our daughter loves picking out her own veggies there!
What are some fun or interesting things to do in the neighbourhood?
Here are five!
#1 The bike lanes that stretch all the way to Sheung Shui are perfect for family rides.
#2 We’re surrounded by farms, and we’re even launching our own farm-to-table private kitchen soon. Follow @thefarmerstablehk for updates – we’ll be serving Michelin-quality food with organic produce grown righ there by the end of September. Stay tuned!
#3 Nam Sang Wai is nearby and feels like you’ve left Hong Kong completely. It’s great for photography, walks, or just soaking in nature.
#4 Strawberry picking at Kam Tin Country Club for the kiddos!
#5 For a quick adventure, the Lok Ma Chau border is just an eight-minute drive from us, making Shenzhen day trips super convenient.
What’s one thing you’d never change?
The peaceful stillness at night. It’s so quiet, and the sleep is amazing. Plus, my daughter gets to bike to school, which is something you’d never experience on the island or in Kowloon.
How about one thing you would change?
The garbage collection point. There aren’t enough bins for the number of people in the village, and some people just leave their trash next to the bins instead of inside them. It’s been a year-long battle with FEHD, and while they’ve added more bins, it’s still not enough.
If the city gave you a million dollars to soup up your street, how would you use it?
I’d create a state-of-the-art recycling hub that’s so sleek that people would actually want to use it. Then I’d add a kids’ play area with swings, slides and maybe even a mini climbing wall. For the dog lovers, a dog park with agility equipment would be perfect. And hey, let’s throw in some extra parking spaces to keep things civilised – because nothing tests your patience like village parking drama (that’s a story for another time!)
# Favourite things to do in Hong Kong
What are your top Hong Kong spots for taking out-of-town guests?
The Star Ferry and light show are a classic must-see. Soho for dinner is always fun, but for a more cultural experience, I love taking guests to Tsz Shan Monastery. It’s so peaceful, and they limit the number of visitors, so it’s never overcrowded – a truly serene experience.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go?
Sam Mun Tsai fishing village, where my parents live – it’s the perfect spot to experience local fishing culture and enjoy incredible seafood.
Also, while it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, I love how Sham Shui Po still feels like old Hong Kong. The low-rise buildings, bustling streets and local eats give it so much charm.
If you’re missing home, what do you do?
Having lived in many countries, “home” is wherever I make it. But when I need a break, a weekend getaway or even a quick trip to Shenzhen always does the trick.
Get your Hong Kong neighbourhood featured in Expat Living!
Share your part of town with others – just email us at info@expatliving.net/hong-kong with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.
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