Tag: Beautiful Hiking Trails in Hong Kong

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Temple Crag 廟仔墩 – An Overlooked Sunset Spot on Lantau Island

Temple Crag/Miu Tsai Tun 廟仔墩, is a mountain lying in the Chi Ma Wan 芝麻灣 (Sesame Bay) Peninsula, on southeastern Lantau Island. Apart from the beautiful Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak, the twins of Lantau, Chi Ma Wan Peninsula is absolutely a gem which many people are not aware of. 

Many hikers would go to Lantau Peak or Sunset Peak for sunrise and sunset watching. But do you know you could get a splendid sunset shot at Temple Crag 廟仔墩 too with both Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak in your frame?  

What a splendid sunset on Temple Crag with Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak in it!

My Trail: 

” Mui Wo Pier 梅窩渡輪碼頭 > Ngau Kwu Wan 牛牯灣 > Wang Tong 橫塘 > Sap Long Village 十塱村 > TEMPLE CRAG/ MIU TSAI TUN 廟仔墩 (302M) > Pui O 貝澳 ” 

Distance: 10.5 KM
Duration: 4 hours
Elevation Gain: 544M
Difficulty: 2/5
View: 4.5/5

With Pui O and Sunset Peak at the back!

How to get there & return:

1. Take the ferry from Central Pier No.6 to Mui Wo. Fast ferry takes 35 minutes and slow ferry takes 55 minutes.

Ferry schedule of “Central – Mui Wo” vice versa.

If you are coming from Tung Chung, you can go to the main bus terminal and take the 3M bus, journey is about 40 minutes.

2. Your hike begins at Mui Wo Pier, enjoy!

3. Your trail finishes at Pui O San Wai Tsuen 貝澳新圍村, you can either cross the road and take ANY bus to Mui Wo Pier, you’ll see the bus stop is just right next to the public toilet. Once you are in Mui Wo, catch the ferry to return to the city. Refer to the ferry schedule above.

4. OR, you can take 3M bus to Tung Chung, the bus stop is next to the Pui O Public School. The schedule below shows 3M bus departing Mui Wo, it takes about 15 minutes to reach Pui O San Wai Tsuen stop.   


Hike Overview:

From the Mui Wo Pier, take your left turn and you will see McDonald’s, follow on the Mui Wo Ferry Pier Rd. around the sea until you reach the starting point of the Lantau Trail Sec. 12, it is on the opposite of the New Lantau Bus Mui Wo Depot.

The entrance of Lantau Trail Sec. 12!

The first 5 kms of the trail is very easy and scenic, you will be walking along the coast. The sea breeze, birds’ singing, greens around you, sound of the waves, fresh air, etc., all of these open up your senses entirely and it is absolutely soothing. This walk into the nature is rejuvenating! 

You’ll come to a junction where you see sign pointing you to Pui O direction to the right, you have the choice to take either straight or follow the sign. Both ways will lead you to Temple Crag.

If you would like to continue to enjoy the trail by the coast, keep going straight! Approximately 1 km later you will see an abandoned house with a nice rocky beach, you can take some rest there. 

This trail is rather quiet, you might see some trail runners training and also mountain bikers having fun at the newly opened Chi Ma Wan Mountain Bike Park. Pay attention to the signs and stay on the hiking trail to avoid any accidents with the bikers. 

Soon you’ll arrive at Sap Long Village 十塱村 , it is a small and quiet village with a beach. If you need to go for bathroom break, there’s a public toilet.

Get to Chi Ma Wan Rd. and walk towards Pui O direction, about less than 1 km later and look at your left, you’ll see the entrance of Chi Ma Wan Country Trail.


This is where you’ll hike to Temple Crag for the gorgeous sunset. The path is nicely paved until the top. 



Just about slightly over 1 km and you will reach the top, and there you are, at Temple Crag 廟仔墩. The spectacular view of Lantau Island will blow your mind away.

Wait for the sun to set and the view will only get better!

Below are some nice drone shots I took:

The Chi Ma Wan Peninsula!

“ The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my inspiration. ”

– Claude Monet

Pui O and Pui O Beach!

Take the same way to go back down to Chi Ma Wan Rd. and walk to Pui O, that is your final 3.5 kms.

I hope you’ll find this trail enjoyable!

Please check out my Suicide Cliff Hike, Sunset Peak Hike &  Lion Rock Hike if you are looking for more trails for sunset watching!

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Buffalo Hill 水牛山 & West Buffalo Hill 黃牛山 – the Mysterious Path to the Window of the Sky

At the top of Buffalo Hill!

Buffalo Hill 水牛山 & West Buffalo Hill 黃牛山 are 2 hills located in Ma On Shan Country Park west of Sai Kung. Hikers and instagrammers hit the top mainly for one reason, that is owning their shots with the increasingly popular “Window of the Sky 石天窗”, situated just right beneath the top of West Buffalo Hill, in the Rock Fortress 黄牛石城.

It is an instragram-worthy photo spot, go get your shots to impress your friends! 

The Window of the Sky 石天窗

This trail is very scenic, you will see the whole Shatin district at the beginning of the trail, as you hike towards Buffalo Hill, you’ll soon discover the Sai Kung district. Along the hike, you’ll enjoy the panoramic view of Ma On Shan country park, it’s stunning! 

Shatin district and Ma On Shan Country Park

Apart from the beautiful landscapes and the “Window of the Sky 石天窗”, “Penis Rock 陽元石” & “Fish Basket Rock 魚簍石” are two eye-catching spots for your instagram gallery too. 

Penis Rock 陽元石, how GIGANTIC!

My Trail: 

” City One 第一城 MTR > Greenhill Villa 綠怡雅苑 > FISH BASKET ROCK 魚簍石 > PENIS ROCK 陽元石 > Nui Po Au 女婆坳 > BUFFALO HILL 水牛山 (606M) > WEST BUFFALO HILL 黃牛山 (604M) > WINDOW OF THE SKY 石天窗 > Sam Fai Tin 三塊田 > Pak Sha Wan 白沙灣 ” 

Distance: 13.5 kms
Duration: 6 hours
Elevation Gain: 1069M
Difficulty: 4/5
View: 5/5

View of Sai Kung from the top of Buffalo Hill!

How to get there & return:

1. Take MTR Tuen Ma Line to City One 第一城 station, then take exit D to get to Ngau Pei Sha St.

2. Follow on Ngau Pei Sha St. until you reach Sha Tin Wai Rd., at the junction, turn left, and follow on Sha Tin Wai Rd. until you get to the tunnel. 

3. Go in the tunnel to cross Siu Lek Yuen Rd., once you are out of the tunnel, look for Greenhill Villa 綠怡雅苑. There’s a small path next to it, that will be your path to begin the trail. 

4. Enjoy your hike! 

5. You’ll finish your hike at Pak Sha Wan 白沙灣, cross the road and you will see the bus stop. You can get on the KMB bus #92 or #96R to go to MTR Choi Hung or Diamond Hill station, for returning to the city. 

Hike Overview:

Before you begin the hike, please do some stretching to warm up your muscle to avoid cramps, especially on your thigh and hamstring. The level of this trail is intermediate, you will hike across a few mountains before reaching West Buffalo Hill, where you will start your descend and hike to the finishing point. Be physically and mentally prepared for this trail, with the total distance of 13.5 kms and there will be some ups and downs, it’s not going to be easy. But trust me, not only you will achieve it, you will be feeling great doing this trail, because you are going to find it very rewarding. 

After taking the path next to Greenhill Villa 綠怡雅苑, you are starting the ascent in the country park. Always look for the ribbons tied on the branches, so you know you are on the right path. 

After around 2 kms of ascending, you will arrive at your first photo spot, “Fish Basket Rock 魚簍石”, it’s a huge rock with ropes for you to climb to the top. The view up there is beautiful, take some moments to rest and enjoy the landscape.

Climbing up to Fish Basket Rock 魚簍石!
View from the top of Fish Basket Rock 魚簍石!

Continue on with the trail and after slightly over 1 km, you’ll see a big group of rocks, make your descent on the path, soon you’ll find this gigantic rock with the shape of a penis, erecting from the ground pointing towards the sky. That’s “Penis Rock 陽元石”, it’s unbelievable when you see it with your own eyes, it looks exactly like an erecting penis, with testicles.

Now it’s time for you to exercise your creativity and get some nice and fun shots. On weekend and public holidays, there will be many hikers queueing to have their shots taken with the rock.

My photographer was doing a great job!

After Penis Rock 陽元石, you will keep descending until arriving at Nui Po Au 女婆坳, a junction where you can go to Mui Tsz Lam 梅子林 if you turn left, Fa Sam Hang 花心坑 if you turn right, you take neither left nor right. Keep going straight and here comes the challenging 2 kms ascent until you reach Buffalo Hill.

(Fa Sam Hang 花心坑 is an exit point, if you don’t wish to go on after seeing the Penis Rock, you may walk to Fa Sam Hang where you’ll find buses returning to Shatin and the city.)

Keep straight when you reach Nui Po Au 女婆坳 to Buffalo Hill!

The 2 kms ascent might be challenging but it’s scenic at the same time because you are hiking on the ridge of the mountains, the scenery is going to take your breath away. Put more sunscreen on your face and shoulder because this part you will be totally exposed to the sun. 

“ Going to the mountains is like going home. ”

– John Muir

A drone shot on Buffalo Hill with Ma On Shan at the back!

From Buffalo Hill, it takes about 1 km to West Buffalo Hill, once you are there, the Rock Fortress 黄牛石城 is just close by. Go look for “Window of the Sky 石天窗”, the highlight of this trail, aim for a big group of rocks, you won’t miss it. I have heard some took a long time to find it and some couldn’t find it the first time. For us, we played smart, we asked the other hikers around the area to locate it. Ha!

To be honest, this “Window of the Sky 石天窗” is really impressive, the nature is such a great architect, incredible! Standing on the rock and look out the “window”, the view is absolutely captivating. That’s no doubt the highest window I have ever been. Try to avoid doing this trail during weekends and public holidays, because you might have to wait for a long time at this spot for pictures. 


 
It is rather steep at the spot, please be extremely careful while enjoying yourself. Watch every step you make and go slowly! 

Next you will descent from the “Window of the Sky”, there are ropes to help you go down. It can be dangerous, so please take all your time and don’t rush. 

You will then reach MacLehose Trail Section 4, it’s a nicely paved path, take your left turn, and head to Sam Fai Tin 三塊田. From now on, it’s going to be nice and relaxing until the end. 

You’ll soon find the sign, follow the direction to Pak Sha Wan 白沙灣, that’s your final 2.3 kms to the finishing point. 

I hope you enjoy this trail as much as I do, this is definitely one of the trails that I will do it again and again. 

 

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Lion Rock 獅子山 – the Hong Kong Spirit

The lion’s overlooking the vibrant city of Hong Kong!

Lion Rock 獅子山 is the mountain representing Hong Kong, the people and Hong Kong’s spirit, which is “Perseverance & Solidarity”. It is a very popular hiking trail among the locals and tourists because up there you could have the whole Kowloon and Victoria Harbour view, it is stunning! Another reason of its popularity is the trail is easy, you don’t need to be physically fit to do this hike, you can take your time to go up and you’ll reach the top in less than 2 hours and the view is all yours. 

Many also love going up to Lion Rock for sunset, especially couples and photographers. No doubt, it is very romantic sitting on the rock watching the sun sets behind the horizon. On a clear sunny day, the scenery is unbeatable, the sun looks like a big orange egg yolk, contrasting to the blue sky. In these short moments during sunset, you see the transforming of colors in front of your eyes. Nothing feels better than that! 
What are you waiting for? 

My Trail: 

” Wong Tai Sin 黃大仙 MTR > Fat Jong Temple 法藏寺 > HEAVEN STAIRS 天梯 > Lion Rock Tail 獅子山| 獅尾 (495M) > LION ROCK HEAD 獅子山| 獅頭 (493M) > Kowloon Pass 九龍坳 > Pat Sin Temple 八仙廟 > Lion Rock Park 獅子山郊野公園 > Chuk Yuen Road 竹園道  ”

Distance: 6 KM
Duration: 3.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 541 M
Difficulty: 2.5/5
View: 5/5

See you tomorrow Mr. Sunshine!!! 

How to get there & return:

1. Take MTR Kwun Tong Line to Wong Tai Sin 黃大仙 station, then take exit B2, you’ll see the famous Wong Tai Sin Temple, you can take a quick walk inside the temple before you start your hike.

2. Follow the Shatin Pass Road until you reach Fat Jong Temple, the road is steep, treat it as your warm up.

3. When you reach Fat Jong Temple, turn left right after it and you will be on the trail going up. 

4. There are a few ways going up, check on your Hiking Trail HK App to find your way up via Heaven Stairs 天梯, if not the other ways can still bring you to the top, you won’t get lost. 

Heaven Stairs 天梯

5. From the Lion Rock Head 獅子山| 獅頭, after enjoying the view, follow the path to descend to Kowloon Pass 九龍坳, you are there when you see the Handover/ Reunification Pavilion, check your Hiking Trail HK App and find the Handover/ Reunification Trail to descend to Lion Rock Park, via Pat Sin Temple 八仙廟.

6. You’ll finish your hike at Lion Rock Park, follow the Lion Rock Road to the main road, Chuk Yuen Road 竹園道. Cross the road to the opposite site, you will see the bus stop, next to Laco International. You may take the green mini bus #73 or #72 to Festival Walk Shopping Mall, which is connected to the MTR Kowloon Tong 九龍塘 station. 

Hike Overview:

The Wong Tai Sin temple is one of the tourist attractions in Hong Kong. Many people go there for praying and wish for something, it can be for family, love, health or career. Believe it or not, the prayers are often answered! If you haven’t visited the temple before, I’d recommend you to go pay a visit before you start your hike to Lion Rock. Go feel the atmosphere and it is a good way to experience the local culture and beliefs.

Wong Tai Sin Temple 黃大仙廟 

From Wong Tai Sin Temple, the first 2 kms is walking on the steep Shatin Pass Road until you reach Fat Jong Temple. After turning left into the trail going up, you have around 1.5 kms of ascending on rocks. It’s not difficult, take your time to slowly and carefully going up, you’ll get to Lion Rock Tail where you will see the Lion Rock sign. 

Ascending on rocks!
Don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful city view behind you.

“ By discovering nature, you discover yourself. ”

– Maxime Lagacé

Feeling the Hong Kong’s spirit!!!

The Heaven Stairs 天梯 is a picture spot, you might miss it by taking the other ways, so trace yourself in Hiking Trail HK App.

Once you get to the top, you’ll enjoy the unobstructed view of the city of Hong Kong.

You will soon realize after crossing from Lion Rock Tail to Lion Rock Head, there’s a big sign warning hikers about the danger of steep cliffs. The sign is referring to the path going up from Heaven Stairs. There’s always risk when you hike but to go up is definitely safer than going down, hiking on the rocks. This is the reason I planned my trail to go up this way, you’ll get to enjoy some fun climbing up on rocks, and to descend in a very easy and safe way.  

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has done a marvelous job in making Hong Kong one of the best places in the world for hiking. We are all privileged by that, getting to enjoy the beautiful nature and landscape of this vibrant city, for free. AFCD set up signs to remind hikers of the possible danger parts for us to be alert while enjoying our hike. 

Once you get to the Lion Rock Head, find your spot and sit down comfortably, enjoy the view and wait for the magical sunset moments.


How can someone look at the sunset and not dreaming! If you like sunset as much as I do, I’d recommend you another trail which offer a magnificent sunset view. Please check out my Suicide Cliff Hike!



“ Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn. ”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sunset Peak and Temple Crag on Lantau Island are amazing for viewing sunset too! Please check out my trails for more details!