Hong Kong has more to it than just shopping
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MOST tourists go to Hong Kong to check out the possibilities of a metropolis — shopping, enjoying local delicacies and going to theme parks. But the island city has also other features; the locals call it the “hiking trails.”
Different hiking trails offer different choices. Some of them boast vast forest area, others astounding mountain views, or tranquil water and few others historical relics. The trails have convenient routes and are equipped with fine service facilities, making them great holiday destinations for local people.
Let’s embark on some of the trails.
Dragon’s Back
With astounding coastal scenery and convenient route from the city, the Dragon’s Back hiking trail is the most popular among the locals. CNN Travel described it as one of the five trails for beginners in Hong Kong, while Lonely Planet called it “the best hike in Hong Kong.”
The hiking trail starts from Shek O Road, a tree tunnel with natural shades, bamboo groves and roots crawling on the floor. The darkness is only temporary. As you climb the sunshine returns.
The first scenic spot is where the Shek O Beach is in the east and the Dragon’s Back in the northwest. Continue the trail and you’ll find butterflies accompanying you along the way.
People come to Dragon’s Back for different activities. Some fly kites, some come to glide, and others just to get an overview of the sea and city.
The hiking trail ends at Tai Long Wan, a bay on the island, where you can try surfing or chill in the cafes nearby.
The Lion Rock
The Lion Rock is a landmark in the city. In Kowloon, the rock, on the top of a 495-meter-high mountain, looks like a crouching lion, which is how it got the name.
The mountains around the rock give hikers a view of the Kowloon Peninsula. When the weather is good, people can see as far as the Victoria Harbor.
The trail begins at the Shatin Pass Road. Even before the highway and tunnel were constructed, the road had already been the only passageway between Kowloon and New Territories. It is now called the Sha Tin Ancient Trail and still attracts a lot of hikers and morning joggers and walkers.
There is a rain shelter on the Lion Rock that is called the Reunification Pavilion to commemorate the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997.
Walking, or biking, along the road you will reach Kowloon Group of Reservoirs. In the Kam Shan Country Park, the area is composed of three reservoirs. The reservoirs were completed in 1906. Five of them were listed as protected ancient sites in 2009 by the local government.
The whole trail stretches 8 kilometers. Hikers are recommended to bring their water and food. There are some snack shops on the Shatin Pass Road that offers fast food.
The Lung Yeuk Tau heritage trail
Lung Yeuk Tau means “mountain of the leaping dragon” in Cantonese. The trail, in Fanling, offers hikers a history of the Tang’s clan, one of the largest clans in HK.
It is believed that the clan has been living in the area for more than 800 years. In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), a princess escaped to Hong Kong after Mongol forces invaded China, and married a man surnamed Tang. Their descendants moved to Lung Yeuk Tau around 1368. These descendants built 11 villages and many of their relics are well preserved.
Visitors can watch the relics along the trail, such as Fung Ying Seen Koon, a Taoist temple complex. Founded in 1929, the temple was named after the two fairy islands, Fung Lai and Ying Chau. From the larger structures to its tinier details, Fung Ying Seen Koon is a paradigm of Taoist design.
The Tang’s clan still follow their traditional customs, including communal worship twice a year as well as the annual Tin Hau Festival.
Starting from Fung Ying Seen Temple, the trail ends at Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall, the oldest and largest ancestral hall in Hong Kong. The hall is where the clan holds events and meetings.
Ling Kok Shan hiking trail
With plenty of signs on the way, the trail is easy for newcomers and takes only 2.5 hours to finish the ring route.
On Lamma Island, the trail takes in old villages and coastal scenery. Visitors can take a ferry to Sok Kwu Wan to start hiking.
Along the way is the Mo Tat Old Village. Walk past an abandoned farmland while enjoying the ocean views.
You will also pass Shek Pai Wan, the largest beach on the island and then climb up to Yam Ling Au. It takes 50 minutes to walk back to Sok Kwu Wan.
Head for the seafood market in Sok Kwu Wan. The outdoor restaurants serve fresh crabs, prawns and fish.
If you want to explore the island further, you can take another trail, the Lamma Island Family Trail, and spend more time there.
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