Just found that a 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.

Shui Hau

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.

Arriving at Tai O (大澳), the village on the west coast of Lantau that has been fancifully dubbed the "Venice of Hong Kong", we're expecting to just stroll along through the housing clustered by creeks, then by the mangroves just to the south.

But at the bus stop, there's a lady standing by a map board showing the route of motor boar rides, encouraging us to go for a trip. It costs just HK$20 for a 25-minute ride, which includes a spot of dolphin watching as well as cruising along creeks past stilt houses.

Well, that sounds like fun - so I hand over the money, we clamber into the boat, by fishing boats with Little Egret watching for small fish, the boat soon fills up, and we're off, speeding out into the mouth of the Pearl River.

There'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).

You start by walking past the prison at Chi Ma Wan, uphill, and then right, along narrow Chi Ma Wan Road (usually quiet). There are trees by the path, a few houses alongside, and the path curls round to the left, to a broad valley opening to the sea. Here, a tidal creek meanders through long abandoned fields with scrub and damp patches - where feral water buffalo roam.

Lung 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, accessible only by hiking. I've read that it was developed and planted with ornamental trees by the late Mr Woo Quen-sung (this info from Hong Kong Country Parks, by Stella Thrower). Also known as Ng Yuen Garden, it's within the Man Cheung Po SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).

Though the buildings and zigzag bridge over the carp pond are ageing, Mr Woo's descendants evidently maintain the garden. But, sadly, it's usually closed to the public - though you can enjoy the above view from the dam used to create the pond (signs warn this dam is unsafe; maybe some day it will crumble).

Recently, I was lucky enough to arrive and find the garden was open - so took the chance to wander around, and take photos.