The location of Hong Kong, adjacent to the coast, is not close to the system of major rivers in southern China, though the water to the west of Hong Kong is influenced by Pearl River. In 1,103 km² of land, the territory is largely hilly with over 200 islands. Because of this, the terrain can nurture relatively shorter and smaller rivers in Hong Kong than in southern China.
Historically, these rivers once sustained intensive farming for the need of population before the age of developing new towns. Many rivers can be found in the New Territories, especially in the areas north of Tai Mo Shan, where rice growing and fish farming were once everywhere amidst several river systems.