Wild Hong Kong places and trails

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Hong Kong Beaches

shek o beach tinyHong Kong is dotted with beaches, some of which are wonderful, and great to head to during the long hot summer.

One-day sightseeing tour of Hong Kong from the Peak to Tai Mo Shan

I took a Thai tv crew on a whistlestop tour of Hong Kong, focusing on hiking and scenery.

Hong Kong city and country

ma on shanHong Kong has far more to offer visitors than shopping and dining; here's a short summary of tourist attractions including hiking trails, a nature reserve, and islands.

Hong Kong Forests

tai po kauThough there are places where wildlife is on the rebound, none is any more than a shadow of Hong Kong's forests past.

Hong Kong Islands

pui o beach tinyimageHong Kong Island is just one of over 200 islands and islets in the SAR. While many of these are little more than rocks, there are islands that are home to thriving communities, and others where villages are partly or wholly abandoned. Exploring them, you can stroll along narrow streets, hike trails across hills and headlands, admire waterfalls, and relax on beaches.

Hong Kong Geopark (香港地質公園)

jointed tuffThe Hong Kong National Geopark features eight sites with interesting geology, in eastern Hong Kong. The "star" is the world's largest formation of columnar jointed tuff, which formed as a mega volcao erupted and imploded.

Stanley Market, Hong Kong

Best known for its market, Stanley is a pleasant place for strolling around, with highlights including a temple and a small beach.

The Peak, Hong Kong Island (太平山)

high west view to eastThough many visitors to the Peak barely make it beyond the tram station area, it is a great place to walk paths with fabulous views - and the starting point for some longer hikes.

Dragon's Back to Big Wave Bay, Hong Kong Island

big wave bayBig Wave Bay is tucked away in an inlet on the relatively wild, east coast of Hong Kong Island. One way of heading there includes a hike up and along Dragon's Back - perhaps the finest short hike in Hong Kong.

Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail, HK Island

pillboxesThe Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail is Hong Kong's only battlefield trail. It starts just opposite the entrance to Parkview, loops along and down a hillside to pass an old anti-aircraft battery and a couple of pillboxes, then drops to the gap itself, ending at a former bunker complex.

Kowloon Park (九龍公園)

Set right by the busy streets of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Park (九龍公園) makes for a pleasant green escape from the city streets.

Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Just above Central is one of the loveliest outdoor places within urban Hong Kong - the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. It's like a well maintained public park with a good selection of trees and plants, plus birds, mammals and reptiles, plus benches under shade and around a large fountain.

Kadoorie Farm, New Territories

leopard cat mini imageIf you like scenery, wildlife, and plants, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (嘉道理農場暨植物園) should be high on your list of places to visit in Hong Kong. It's dominated by forested hills, with botanic gardens and greenhouses, cages, aviaries and enclosures holding captive animals, and wild birds and other animals that have been rescued and are being cared for.

Tai Long Wan Sai Kung

tai wanTai Long Wan, on the east coast of the Sai Kung Peninsula, is a magical place, with white sand beaches flanked by rugged headlands.

Ng Tung Chai waterfalls

ng tung chaiOne of Hong Kong's best wild places, Ng Tung Chai (吳桐寨), has a series of waterfalls in a ravine plunging down the north slopes of Tai Mo Shan.

Tai Mo Shan

tai mo shanHong Kong's highest mountain, Tai Mo Shan (大帽山), dominates the central New Territories north of Kowloon. A service road to the summit makes for pleasant strolling on the upper slopes - especially on a clear day when Hong Kong's summer heat is on.

Tai Fu Tai Mansion (大夫第)

tai fu taiTai Fu Tai Mansion (大夫第), in San Tin to the east of Mai Po, was probably built in around 1870, by Man Chung-luen, a successful merchant and renowned philanthropist.

Scenic Shalotung

shalotungSha Lo Tung is a wonderfully tranquil, beautiful place. Ringed by hills, and with gently undulating land with sandy soil, its name means "Sand Carried in a Basket".

Kowloon Hills by taxi

kowloon hillsAs well as several trails up the Kowloon Hills, there are narrow roads to the eastern part of the ridge, with one running close by Kowloon Peak.

Buffalo Hill

view from buffalo hillFrom the summit of Buffalo Hill (606 metres), views over nearby hillsides to Ma On Shan recall parts of the Scottish Highlands.

Kam Shan

smugglers ridgeEven before I walk into Kam Shan Country park (金山郊野公園) I see macaques, by Tai Po Road. Walking up and over Smuggler's Ridge, I find part of Shing Mun Redoubt - one of Hong Kong's main relics of the Second World War.

Mau Ping

mau ping trailAn excellent hike from Sai Kung leads up an ancient stone trail, and later drops down through woodland around the abandoned village of Mau Ping.

Hoi Han Wan (海下灣)

Hoi Ha Wan (海下灣) - the Bay Beneath the Sea - in the north of the Sai Kung Peninsula, is one of Hong Kong's best places for hard corals, with around 60 species.

Lai Chi Wo (荔枝窩)

lai chi wo thumbThe northeast New Territories encompasses some of Hong Kong's wildest landscapes, with hills cut by a myriad valleys, and inlets and headlands facing towards Double Haven (印洲塘), Mirs Bay.

Tai Po Kau Forest

tai po kauThe Tai Po Kau (大埔滘) Nature Reserve is a splendid example of reforestation - supporting a wide range of fauna and flora as well as being a good place to visit, with an excellent trail system.

Northeast New Territories Tour

kat oThe Northeast New Territories Island Hopping Tour is a boat ride through Tolo Harbour, to Double Haven, and back via Tap Mun. Includes some otherwise hard to reach places.

HK Wetland Park

wetland park arcticHong Kong Wetland Park is a curious place - huge money spent, yet habitats small and visitor centre immense, with lots of computer gimmickry and suchlike.

Ping Shan Trail

Tin Shui Wai station is the starting poing of Hong Kong's first heritage trail, along which you can see fine buildings including Hong Kong's only historic pagoda.

Clear Water Bay Peninsula

The Clear Water Bay Peninsula (清水灣半島) lies to the east of Kowloon. The main hill is the striking, steep sided High Junk Peak (釣魚翁), which at 344 metres dominates a ridge that runs south to the tip of the peninsula.

Sai Kung Peninsula

tai long wan thumbThe Sai Kung Peninsula (西貢半島) is, on the map, like a giant, stubby hand thrust into the sea. Though larger than Hong Kong Island, it is little inhabited, with few roads and villages.

Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve

mai poHong Kong’s Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve is like a natural theatre, a place where you can enjoy impressive wildlife spectacles.

Sam A Tsuen (三椏村)

sam a tsuenThere's a village house in Sam A Tsuen, on the coast of the northeast New Territories, that has become a small restaurant and hostel for hikers. It's a great place to halt for a meal while hiking through the area, such as following a route through Lai Chi Wo, but is also a top place for an overnight stay, and can be reached by an easy and very pleasant hike.

Nam Sang Wai (南生圍)

nam sang wai thumbNam Sang Wai, in Hong Kong's northwest New Territories, is part of the Deep Bay wetland. Lately in the news as threatened by a Henderson Land housing development.

Pui O, Lantau Island

pui o beachPui O in southeast Lantau is a pleasant place to visit, with buffaloes in old rice paddies, and a good beach, and fine scenery.

Cheung Sha beaches, Lantau

cheung shaCheung Sha Wan (長沙灣) on the south coast of Lantau Island boasts one of Hong Kong's longest beaches - stretching around 2km from east to west, though almost split into two by a tiny headland.

Ng Yuen (龍仔悟園) Lantau

ng yuenLung Tsai Ng Yuen (龍仔悟園) is surely one of the most surprising places in Hong Kong's countryside - a Chinese landscaped garden set in the hills of southwest Lantau Island.

Hiking southwest Lantau

southwest LantauLantau Island's southwest peninsula attracts rather few hikers, yet boasts some of the finest hiking and scenery in Hong Kong, as well as some offbeat attractions including a landscaped garden and a flying dragon statue.

Chi Ma Wan Pui O

pui oThere's a pleasant stroll from Chi Ma Wan (芝麻灣) pier (most easily reached by inter-island ferry connecting Cheung Chau, Mui Wo and Peng Chau; also by path from Mui Wo), southeast Lantau, to Pui O (貝澳).

Lantau Trail stage4

ngong pingThough Nong Ping can fairly swarm with tourists, clambering up steps to the Big Buddha and roaming through Po Lin Monastery and along a path through the Tea Gardens, there is tranquillity to enjoy close by, including along the Lantau Trail.

Tai O, Lantau Island

tai o drying fishTai O, the village on the west coast of Lantau that has been fancifully dubbed the "Venice of Hong Kong", is good for exploring, and for taking short motor boat tours just offshore and along the creeks.

Lantau Island, Hong Kong

southwest lantau inc kwun yam templeViewed from Ling Wui Shan, Lantau appears completely free from urbanisation. Nearby are waterfalls in steep ravines, a temple tucked into a wooded hillside, and even a Chinese style landscaped garden. Walking here, it's easy to agree with a description of Lantau as, "Hong Kong's biggest and most beautiful island."

Nei Lak Shan Trail, Lantau

skyrailThe 5-km Nei Lak Shan Country Trail circles round Nei Lak Shan, which at 751 metres is the sixth highest peak in Hong Kong. You can start on the trail in northeast Ngong Ping.

Silver Mine Waterfalls, Lantau

silvermine fallThe Silver Mine Waterfall at Mui Wo, eastern Lantau, is one of the most easily reached of Hong Kong's best waterfalls. It's accessible by strolling gentle trails, passing the beach, village houses, fields and woodland. There's an even better "hidden" fall above.

Shui Hau n Tong Fuk on Lantau

tong fuk beach tinyimageA trip to the south Lantau coast at Shui Hau and nearby Tong Fuk makes a grand trip on a fine afternoon, especially on a hot day summer day when a swim seems a good way of cooling off.

Tai O to Tung Chung, Lantau

tung chung bayThere's a fairly long (ca 15km) but otherwise easy walk along the northwest coast of Lantau Island, between Tai O and Tung Chung. For roughly two-thirds of the route, it follows a coastline that for the time being is fairly wild.

Chi Ma Wan Country Trail on Lantau

The 18.5km Chi Ma Wan Country Trail loops within the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, southeast Lantau Island. It mostly curls round hillsides, but also climbs up and over the peninsula's highest peak, 303m Lo Yan Shan.

Tung Ping Chau (東平洲)

east tung ping chauTung Ping Chau is set in the east of Mirs Bay. Though only 2km long, and relatively flat (rising to just 48 metres), Tung Ping Chau makes for a cracking - and relaxing - day out, or even overnight stay.

Po Toi (蒲台島)

po toi viewThough it lies just off southeastern Hong Kong Island, Po Toi (蒲台島) is easily overlooked when planning a rural outing. Yet there is fine hiking, excellent coastal scenery - and for birdwatchers, Po Toi is a migration hotspot.

Cheung Chau (長洲)

cheung chau beachCheung Chau (長洲) looks tiny on a map of Hong Kong, yet there's far more to it than may first appear. With coastal trails, beaches, small rural valleys, and a village dotted with temples but with only one (police) car, it boasts plenty to see and do in a day.

Lamma Island

Lamma lies just west of Hong Kong Island, and has a perhaps outdated reputation as a hippie haven. Especially in the wilder south, it offer a great contrast to the city.

Soko Islands (索罟群島)

tai a chauThe Sokos are a tiny cluster of uninhabited islets south of west Lantau.

Sharp Island (橋咀洲)

sharp islandThough you can hike here, Sharp Island and its neighbours are most popular for activities focused on the shore and marine environment – especially swimming at two of the best beaches near Sai Kung, as well as snorkelling over coral.

Shek Kwu Chau is a quirky island

shek wu chau statueLying just west of Cheung Chau, off the southern coast of Lantau, Shek Kwu Chau (石鼓洲) is one of the quirkier islands in Hong Kong.

Peng Chau

Peng Chau is a small island lying off the east coast of Lantau, with echoes of old south China, and paths along coastlines, through farmland, and up the highest hill.

Taking wild Hong Kong photos

water lily Hong Kong's outdoors offers a wealth of subjects to shoot - from hills and islands, to waterfalls and wildlife.

Annular eclipse for Hong Kong at sunrise 21 May 2012

At dawn on 21 May, an annular eclipse will be underway and, weather permitting, visible from Hong Kong. Almost a total eclipse, but there will be a rim of sun visible around the dark circle caused by the moon. A rare event, which should be well worth getting up early for, and heading to somewhere with view towards horizon in east-northeast. But if you do look at the time, and the sun is visible, take great care - should not look at even obscured sun directly.

Gif image from NASA:

Chi Ma Wan Country Trail on Lantau

The 18.5km Chi Ma Wan Country Trail loops within the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, southeast Lantau Island. It mostly curls round hillsides, but also climbs up and over the peninsula's highest peak, 303m Lo Yan Shan.

Wild HK Photo Flicker

Activities in wild Hong Kong

Al Fresco dining in Hong Kong

on kee storeSeveral of my favourite places for eating outside in Hong Kong aren't fancy, but are well cool.

HK diving

Hong Kong is surrounded by sea. The approximate sea surface area is 1650 sq km, and dotted with some 200 islands. The rocky reefs and coral communities of Hong Kong shelter a diverse and exquisite range of fish and marine fauna.

Renting bikes in Hong Kong

A brief summary of places you can rent bicycles in Hong Kong.

HK Mountain Biking

Until a couple of years ago mountain biking was outlawed in Hong Kong's country parks, but now due to the great work of the HK Mountain Bike Association several trails have been opened up to the public.

Hiking in Hong Kong

tai long wan hikersHong Kong is a marvellous place for hiking, thanks to its splendid setting.

Taking wild Hong Kong photos

water lily Hong Kong's outdoors offers a wealth of subjects to shoot - from hills and islands, to waterfalls and wildlife.

Dangerous Snakes in Hong Kong.

This first listing is limited to a review of the DANGEROUS SNAKES in Hong Kong.

Deadliest Hong Kong Animals

cobraWith wildlife documentaries loving to focus on killer creatures, here's a quick look at the Most Dangerous Animals In Hong Kong - with their venom, killer teeth and blades. You might be surprised by the Number One Dangerous Animal!

Hong Kong birding sites

bee-eaterThere are many good birdwatching locations throughout Hong Kong, holding species that rarely or never occur at Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve.

Mai Po birding, Hong Kong

spoonbillMai Po Marshes Nature Reserve is a key part of the internationally important Deep Bay wetland

Beginning birdwatching in Hong Kong

Lying in the tropics, on migration routes for birds breeding from Japan west to Russia and north China, and boasting a range of habitats including the world-renowned Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve, Hong Kong is an excellent place for birdwatching.

Watching Black Kites in Hong Kong

black kiteBlack Kites are by far the commonest birds of prey in Hong Kong – and among the territory’s most familiar birds.

Sea Kayaking Hong Kong

The Sai Kung area is astounding and ideal for sea kayaking, exploring and snorkelling.

Junk trips to Hong Kong islands

Especially in summer, many Hong Kong residents enjoy taking junk rides through inshore waters, to visit one or more islands, maybe swim at beaches, and stop off at seafood restaurants.

HK sea fishing

Welcome to Hong Kong's first ever offshore and deepsea fishing forum.

Basic Info on HK's wild side

Hong Kong Accommodation outside city

Though the vast majority of Hong Kong accommodation is within the city, there are places to stay outside the main urban areas.

Mosquitoes in Hong Kong

For most of my time in Hong Kong, mosquitoes have been pretty much just an irritant - especially from spring to autumn, in and near woodland, and worst around dusk.

Cleaning Indoor Air

With hideous smog (aka "haze") currently prevailing in Hong Kong, just done some reading around on Internet re possible ways to clean the air, somewhat, indoors.

Hong Kong Railways
Hong Kong's major rail network is operated by the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) Corporation.
Hong Kong Ferries

There are two major ferry companies serving islands in HK: New World First Ferry, and HKKF - the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry. Also, some smaller companies serve other routes, including to small islands.

Hong Kong Buses n Minibuses

 Buses abound in Hong Kong, with even small villages served by regular minibuses.

Octopus Card

If you plan on using public transport in Hong Kong, consider getting yourself an Octopus stored value card: it'll make your life much easier, and you can even use it in vending machines, convenience stores and other places (Where to use your Octopus).

Hong Kong tropical cyclones

nesat wavesHong Kong lies in the tropical belt that's impacted by low pressure systems that can intensify into the world's most powerful storms: known as hurricanes in North America, cyclones in Australia and the Indian Ocean, and typhoons in the western Pacific.

Hong Kong Typhoons

nesat wavesTyphoons have long impacted Hong Kong - even the word "typhoon" is said to be derived from the Cantonese "tai fung" - big (or great) wind.

HK Number 8 Signal

Hong Kong's Number 8 tropical cyclone warning can be controversial; the signal means that gale force winds are expected or blowing in Victoria Harbour.