DISCOVER THE BEAUTIFUL HONG KONG OUTDOORS

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Hong Kong and its outdoor wonders

We are all aware about Hong Kong’s “Asia’s World City” tag, the world class cuisine and nightlife that the destination has to offer. What comes as a surprise is the fact that the place has an impressive wild side, which has the power to entice even the most avid nature enthusiasts. Approximately 40 per cent of the country’s territory is marked green which is one of the highest proportions in the world.

All you need to do is drive for less than half an hour to reach either pristine beaches, lush green mountains with adventurous hiking trails, or happening islands with an abundant dose of nature.

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Spectacular Beaches

Hong Kong comprises the New Territories, Kowloon, HK Island, Lantau Island (Hong Kong’s biggest outlying island) and other over 200 islands; so geographically, it is blessed with an extensive coastline. On this important financial hub, you will also come across sunbathers spread out on pristine beaches, surfers lapping up blue waves, people indulging in myriad choice of water sports activities, beach parties, and sunset barbeques. Some places to hang out for some beach fun are the Big Wave Bay Beach (located at the scenic eastern end of Hong Kong Island, close to the Dragon’s Back hiking trail and also home to a pre-historic rock carving), Cheung Sha Beach & Pui O Beach (HK’s longest stretch of sand and surf), Hung Shing Yeh Beach (popular for barbecues), Mui Wo & Silver Mine Bay Beach (for swimming and sea-gazing), Tung Wan Beach & Kwun Yam Beach (for wind-surfing)

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Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark

Add this to your must-visit list as it is the crowning glory of Hong Kong’s outdoors and is increasingly accessible to visitors these days! The park is made up of two distinct geological regions - a series of towering, honeycomb-shaped basalt columns of volcanic rocks, produced by a series of violent volcanic eruptions 140 million years ago

at the Sai Kung Peninsula; the other part is sedimentary formations and old villages in the north-eastern New Territories.

To name a few, explore various attractions including the Volcano Discovery Centre, High Island, Sharp Island (is covered by rocks formed from volcanic fragments and magma and a view-point for the naturally-formed tombolo), the Ung Kong Group, the Ninepin Group, Port Island & Bluff Head within the park. Many island or coastal landforms in the Geopark are remote and best viewed via a boat tour.

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Outlying Islands

Get away from the hustle-bustle of the city by escaping to one of Hong Kong’s laidback outlying islands to get transported instantly to a traditional, serene world. Lantau Island, being the most popular is home to the world’s 2nd largest seated bronze Buddha statue, accessible by either hiking up the surrounding lush green mountains or though a picturesque cable car journey. Other attractions on this island are the Ngong Ping Village, Po Lin Monastery, Wisdom Path, Disney Island, Lantau Peak, Lower Cheung Sha Beach, and the quaint Tai O fishing village with houses on stilts.

Other popular islands are the Lamma Island (with sweeping costal views; great for a day trip with attractions like beaches, walking and hiking trails, temples and a traditional fishing village, multicultural eateries), Cheung Chau Island (with beaches, temples, seafood restaurants and even a pirate’s hideout) and Peng Chau Island (which echoes remnants of a once bustling industrial centre of the 70s and 80s and is now home to abandoned workshops and theatres, pristine beaches and temples).

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Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park

Roughly translated as ‘Bay Beneath the Sea’, Hoi Ha Wan is a protected area that contains 60 types of hard coral and 120 species of coral fish. During low tide, on a clear day, it is a great place to see brain corals jutting out of the water and catch a glimpse of colourful fishes swimming amongst them. The more adventurous souls can try their hand at snorkeling or explore the mangroves around.

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Hong Kong Wetland Park

A world-class eco-tourism park, this park is the best way to enjoy Hong Kong’s unique flora and fauna. It is home to an impressive number of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, amphibians, reptiles and fishes. To further appreciate the ecosystem, you can visit the Wetland Interactive World, which engages you with themed exhibition galleries, 3D cinema, a theatre and the Swamp Adventure indoor play area.

You can also visit the outdoor Wetland Reserve, which encompasses recreated wetland habitats, Stream Walk, Mangrove Boardwalk, Butterfly Garden designed to bring you closer to nature.

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Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden

To indulge in outdoor activities that will appeal to the whole family, head to the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. The farm has pioneered organic growth and breeding methods in Hong Kong. The sprawling green sanctuary contains vegetable gardens, greenhouses of stunning flowering plants, and scores of different birds and animals. If you are lucky, at dusk you may bump into stray porcupines, pangolins or barking deer.

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Mai Po Nature Reserve

Every winter, the marshes and mudflats of Mai Po Nature Park invite more than 90000 migratory birds into its folds. Out of the almost 400 species that inhabit the reserve, 35 help in conserving species like Saunders’s Gull and the black-faced spoonbill that comes to feed on crabs, fish, shrimps that reside in the roots of the mangroves. Other residents are critters such as otters, fiddler crabs and mudskippers.

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Dragon's Back

One of the featured cycling and trekking routes in Hong Kong, also hailed as one of the best urban hikes, the winding path on the ridge of the Dragon’s Back provides truly spectacular views of southern Hong Kong Island and its shoreline. Trek up to Shek O Peak to enjoy panoramic views and discover how Dragon’s Back earned its name. Walk up to the Shek O Peninsula Viewing Point that lets you enjoy stunning views of the Shek O Beach. Stop at the Dragon’s Back Viewing Point for a great view of the Tai Tam Bay west of Shek O Peninsula, which on a clear day will let you see as far as Lamma Island. You can then head to Pottinger Gap, where you get a view of Chai Wan’s urban high-rises against a forested landscape.

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Peak Circle Walk

The Peak Circle Walk is a gentle 3.5 km tranquil and shaded hike that winds around the highest point on Hong Kong Island and offers strollers stunning views of the Victoria Harbour. The Peak Circle Walk begins at Lugard Road near the Peak Tower. You’ll need to pull your camera out every few minutes into your stroll, when you arrive at the Lugard Road lookout and gasp at its spectacular panoramic view of Victoria Harbour.

Lugard Road runs into Harlech Road, which will slowly take you back to the Peak Tower and end of your lap around The Peak. If time and energy are on your side, you can turn this leisurely stroll into a substantial long walk to Lung Fu Shan Country Park.

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City Parks

If you are too intimidated with Hong Kong’s fast paced life, escape to one of the city’s many parks, where you can practice tai chi, play chess, sing and shoot hoops. Some popular ones are Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (the oldest park right in the centre of the town has childeren’s playground, and fountain terrace garden.

It also houses a lot of species from the avian, reptile and mammal world), Hong Kong Park (which comprises an aviary, greenhouse, a teaware museum, a visual arts centre, fountains, lily ponds, playgrounds and restaurants), Kowloon Park (once an army fortress, this park has a Chinese garden comprising a two-tier lotus pond linked by a rock cascade and terrapins basking in the sun). When here, do not miss a trip to the Victoria Park (where you will see choreographed tai chi sessions in the mornings, glowing lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival and a colourful flower market during Chinese New Year) and the Nan Lian Garden (a meticulously designed Japanese garden designed in Tang Dynasty-style complete with exotic water features, manicured trees, rocks and wooden structures).

Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Hong Kong Tourism by Times Internet.

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