Nei Lak Shan Trail

Submitted by DocMartin on 18 December 2006 - 2:23pm

There's a new trail starting at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island. The 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 - just where a trail starts dropping down towards Tung Chung.

The trail is clearly marked by this signpost, from which you climb a little; then reach a junction, where you can choose to walk a full circuit, or walk to near the Lantau Skyrail station, looping along the southern slope of the mountain or (longer) heading along the north slopes.

I walked the southern slope in spring: pleasant, with grand views over Ngong Ping including the Big Buddha. Just tried the northern loop, which though longer is more interesting, with views over hills, Tung Chung, the airport and channel across to Tsuen Wan. Passes through woods, and close enough to the Lantau Skyrail that can hear babble from cable cars passing above.

Lantau surprises

Submitted by DocMartin on 16 November 2006 - 10:54am

Lantau is at the mouth of the Pearl River, a location reflected in the identities of those just visible urban areas: Hong Kong Island to the east, Macau across the Pearl River to the west, and Shenzhen in mainland China to the north. Viewed from Ling Wui Shan, Lantau appears completely free from urbanisation, without even towns or villages. Nearby are waterfalls in steep ravines, a temple tucked into a wooded hillside, and even a Chinese style landscaped garden that's reached only by hiking. Walking here when the sky is intense blue, it's easy to agree with Financial Secretary Henry Tang's description of Lantau as, "Hong Kong's biggest and most beautiful island."

Lantau Trail stage4

Submitted by DocMartin on 7 November 2005 - 3:22am

Though 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.

Ngong Ping resources

Submitted by DocMartin on 20 August 2005 - 3:53pm

Ngong Ping, Lantau

Info from Hong Kong's Great Outdoors

Ngong Ping is a plateau on the west slopes of Lantau Peak, best known as the site of the Big Buddha, which faces the far older Po Lin Monastery. There’s an easy stroll through the Tea Gardens, to a superb vantage for admiring southwest Lantau – and Lantau Peak, which you can climb via a steep trail.

South Lantau Bus

Submitted by DocMartin on 4 November 2004 - 8:03pm

Though Hong Kong has some fine bus routes into and wholly within the land beyond the city, my favourite is the New Lantao Bus Company's Route 2 - from Mui Wo ferry pier to Ngong Ping (Big Buddha), on Lantau Island.

Leaving Mui Wo, this climbs a small, wooded hill, passing an oddball signpost with some fanciful, colourful carved birds, then drops to Pui O. Then, it's down, and round, to travel along Lantau's south coast.