Tag: Hiking in Hong Kong

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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! 

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Pat Sin Leng 八仙嶺 – the Trail to Immortality

Pat Sin Leng 八仙嶺, means “Ridge of the Eight Immortals”, the eight peaks along the Pat Sin Leng mountain range are each named after a different Immortal. They are Shun Yeung Fung (純陽峰), Chung Li Fung (鍾離峰), Kuo Lou Fung (果老峰), Kuai Li Fung (拐李峰), Tsou Kau Fung (曹舅峰), Choi Wo Fung (采和峰), Sheung Tsz Fung (湘子峰) & Hsien Ku Fung (仙姑峰).

This trail offers a bird’s eye view of the Plover Cove Reservoir and Plover Cove Country Park, you can also see the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park from far. Shenzhen can be seen on your left hand side when you are on the ridge going up from Hok Tau Reservoir 鶴藪水塘.

This trail’s difficulty level is moderate and well paved all the way from the beginning. It is suitable for all levels of hikers, it is family friendly. If you are looking for a trail that is slightly challenging physically, a trail with great view, you should go try this out.  

My Trail: 

” Lau Shui Heung Reservoir 流水響水塘 > Shek Au Shan 石坳山 (291M) > Hok Tau Reservoir 鶴藪水塘 > Ping Fung Shan 屏風山 (500M) > Wong Leng 黃嶺 (639M) > Lai Pek Shan 犁壁山 (550M) > SHUN YEUNG FUNG 純陽峰 (590M) > CHUNG LI FUNG 鍾離峰 (529M) > KUO LOU FUNG 果老峰 (543M) > KUAI LI FUNG 拐李峰 (522M) > TSOU KAU FUNG 曹舅峰 (508M) > CHOI WO FUNG 采和峰 (489M) > SHEUNG TSZ FUNG 湘子峰 (513M) > HSIEN KU FUNG 仙姑峰 (511M) > Tai Mei Tuk 大美督 ”


Distance: 15 KM
Duration: 5.5 hours
Elevation Gain: 1188 M
Difficulty: 3/5
View: 4/5

How to get there & return:

1. Take MTR East Rail Line to Fanling 粉嶺 station, then take exit C to go to the minibus station.

2. Take the green minibus #52B to Hok Tau 鶴藪, get off at the final stop.

3. After getting off the bus, follow the sign to Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, there’s a public toilet.

4. Your scenic hike to the Mountains of the Eight Immortals begins.

5. You will finish your hike at Tai Mei Tuk, the bus station is just across the road. You can take either the green minibus #20C or the KMB bus #75K to go back to the East Rail Line Tai Po Market station, for returning to the city. 

Hike Overview:

Spend some time at Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, the serene nature will sooth your body and soul. The still water of the reservoir projects a beautiful reflection of the sky and trees, like a mirror. 

From the Lau Shui Heung Reservoir public toilet, go straight on Lau Shui Heung Road and then turn left into Lau Shui Heung Country Trail where you will head to Hok Tau Reservoir, look for sign to lead you there. 

The first 3kms is easy with some stairs ascending up to about 200 meters before you descend to Hok Tau Reservoir, a place you’ll feel grateful of what you see. Feel the fresh air and positive energy from the surroundings.

The serenity of Hok Tau Reservoir!

Follow the bridge on the reservoir and you will see the sign showing you the way to Pat Sin Leng.

 

The following 5kms is slightly challenging because you will be walking on countless of stairs ascending up to over 600 meters. This is absolutely a good training! Take some breaks in between to catch your breath and don’t forget to check the view along the way, it is stunning. You’ll be exposed to direct sunlight the whole way, do apply your sunscreen. 

The Golden Miscanthus, or Golden Silver Grass can be seen during Fall and early Winter!

“ Nature’s beauty is a gift that cultivates appreciation and gratitude. ”

– Louie Schwartzberg

There are even trees with red leaves, how beautiful!
Keep following the direction to Pat Sin Leng and Tai Mei Tuk!

When you are up to Wong Leng 黃嶺 and Lai Pek Shan 犁壁山, the view gets better. From there you will see China on one side and Plover Cove Reservoir on the other side; and in the front, you will see Yan Chau Tong Marine Park. That’s the best part of doing ridge hiking!

Visiting the Eight Immortals!

Keep going forward and soon you will arrive at the first mountain of the Eight Immortals, Shun Yeung Fung 純陽峰. Once you get there, you are close to the remaining sevens. In less than 2kms with some ups and downs, you will finally get to the last one, Hsien Ku Fung (仙姑峰).

The view of Plover Cove Reservoir from Monkey Cliff (馬騮崖)!

From Hsien Ku Fung (仙姑峰), there are two ways to go down to your finish line, Tai Mei Tuk. If you are more adventurous, take the right turn and go down from there, you will see hikers writing down the name of Monkey Cliff in Chinese, 馬騮崖, on the sign. Please be very careful going down this way because it is rocky and it can be slippery. If you have done Suicide Cliff hike before, you will know what I am talking about. But, it is doable, just take your time to go down slowly and you will arrive at Tai Mei Tuk. If you choose to enjoy the trail with zero risk on your safety, then turn left from Hsien Ku Fung and descend on the paved path. This way you will do your final 4kms down to the Plover Cove Park Tai Mei Tuk Management Centre. Follow the Bride’s Pool Road out and in about 15 minutes walk, you’ll arrive at Tai Mei Tuk. 

The magnificent view of the Eight Immortals Mountains and their reflection on the lake!

There are plenty of restaurants at Tai Mei Tuk, go treat yourself with nice food and drinks.

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Tai Mo Shan 大帽山 to Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls 梧桐寨瀑布 – the TOP of Hong Kong

Tai Mo Shan Weather Radar Station & Civil Aviation Department Radar Station

Tai Mo Shan 大帽山 is the highest mountain in Hong Kong with the elevation of 957 meters, it features a humid subtropical climate. You often see Tai Mo Shan covered in clouds, and it is claimed to be the most misty area in Hong Kong, this is due to the height of the mountain.

Tai Mo Shan Weather Radar Station and Civil Aviation Department Radar Station were built on top of the mountain, and they have become the recognizable buildings when people talk about Tai Mo Shan.

Drone shot of the Stone Forest (Wo Yang Shan)!

The mountain is very hiker-friendly, accessible by a few nice trails going to the top. I planned my trail starting from Tsuen Wan MTR to Tai Mo Shan passing through Wo Yang Shan 禾秧山, some named it “Stone Forest” because of the beautiful groups of rock formations up there. Going down I took the trail through the captivating Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls 梧桐寨瀑布 which I think is the Amazon of Hong Kong. You are going to experience two very different environments ascending and descending, and I find this is the best part of this trail.

The Amazon of Hong Kong – Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls!

Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls nestled within the dense jungle of Tai Mo Shan, it consists of 4 main waterfalls, they are “Scatter Fall”, “Main Fall”, “Middle Fall” & “Bottom Fall”. Each of them has their unique beauty, made me wondering, “Am I in Hong Kong?” Apart from the 4 main falls, there are also “Virgin Fall” and “Rainbow Fall”. I suggest you download the app “Hiking Trail HK” to find out the exact location of each fall, and this app is also the app I have been using to plan my hiking trail every time.

For this trail, I am covering 4 scenic locations, Shek Tin Mun, Wo Yang Shan, Tai Mo Shan & Ng Tung Chai Waterfall. They are perfect spots for photography and videography. Each of them are very instagrammable, so get packed and hit the trail.

Stone Forest & Tai Mo Shan

My Trail: 

” Tsuen Wan MTR > Shing Mun Catchwater 城門引水道 > Shek Tin Mun 石天門 > WO YANG SHAN 禾秧山 (771M) > TAI MO SHAN 大帽山 (957M) > Sze Fong Shan Au 四方山坳 > NG TUNG CHAI WATERFALL 梧桐寨瀑布 > Man Tak Yuen 萬德苑 > Ng Tung Chai Village > Lam Kam Road “

Distance: 15 KM
Duration: 5 hours
Elevation Gain: 1145 M
Difficulty: 4/5
View: 5/5

View of Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi from the trail going up to Wo Yang Shan!

How to get there & return:

1. Take MTR Tsuen Wan Line to Tsuen Wan 荃灣 station, then take exit A.

2. From exit A, turn right and follow the sign to Discovery Park, you will be walking on the indoor skyway. After about 400 meters, you’ll see a glass door on your right, go inside and that’ll lead you to a bridge crossing the railway. Follow the sign to Route Twisk and you’ll see this, take the stairs.

3. Cross Route Twisk and keep following the stairs up and you’ll arrive at Shing Mun Catchwater. Take your right direction and keep walking on the catchwater for less than 2kms. Pay close attention on your left, you’ll reach here.

4. Turn left and hike up the mountain until you reach a junction, where you’ll find this sign, follow the path and continue going up.


5. You’ll finally arrive at Shek Tin Mun, it should be on your right hand side, you won’t miss it as it is a massive rock formation.

6. After checking out Shek Tin Mun, follow the path where you see other rock formations, that’s Wo Yang Shan.

7. Tai Mo Shan can be easily seen from there, you’ll see the radar stations, the path going to the top is very clear.

8. From Tai Mo Shan, follow the concrete road behind the radar stations and you’ll start descending until you reach a pavilion, that’s Sze Fong Shan Au. You’ll find the sign to Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls.


9. From there, the path to the waterfalls is very straight forward and you’ll find signs along the way.

10. You’ll first arrive at the “Scatter Fall”, then “Main Fall”, “Middle Fall” and lastly “Bottom Fall”. After “Bottom Fall”, keep descending and you’ll come to Man Tak Yuen.


11. You’ll eventually arrive at Lam Kam Road walking out from Ng Tung Chai Village, you’ll find the bus stop on your left. You can take the bus KMB #64K to Kam Sheung Road 錦上路 West Rail Station to go back to the city. Or you can cross the road and take the same bus KMB #64K to Tai Po Market 大埔墟 East Rail Station to go back to the city, depending which direction is more convenient to you.

How SPECTACULAR!!!

Hike Overview:

Overall, the trail from Tsuen Wan all the way to Tai Mo Shan is very pleasant and scenic. First kilometer is mainly stairs until you get to Shing Mun Catchwater, you will be walking on flat road for the next 2 kilometers. After that you’ll enter the mountain trail until you get to the incredible “Stone Forest”, Wo Yang Shan. That’s one of my favorite spots in Hong Kong, I’ve always love rock formations. The beauty of Stone Forest leaves you breathless, the whole place is so picturesque.

Shek Tin Mun 石天門, or the Sky Gate
Beautiful rock formations are seen everywhere on Wo Yang Shan!

Shek Tin Mun is a massive rock formation located on the very right side of Wo Yang Shan when you get up from the trail, I missed it the first time I went there. Check your Hiking Trail HK app to make sure you go see it.

Aerial view of Stone Forest (Wo Yang Shan)!
Don’t miss this iconic spot for your picture!

Trust me, once you are there, you’ll fall in love with the place as much as I do. When you are done admiring Wo Yang Shan, look up at the radar stations on Tai Mo Shan and follow the path up there. It should take another 2 kilometers or so.

Aerial view of Tai Mo Shan and the radar stations!

No matter you are beginners or advanced hikers, Tai Mo Shan is always a great choice. Apart from ticking off the bucket list by summiting Hong Kong’s highest peak, another reason is there are many nice trails connecting it, giving hikers flexibility in planning their own trail. The view of the skylines when you hike is absolutely beautiful. Do remember to plan your hike on a clear sunny day for great visibility.

This is why I love hiking so much, the openness!

“ The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature. ”

– Joseph Campbell

Drone shot of the Main Fall of Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls!

Descending through Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls you will be walking into the Amazon of Hong Kong. The path is mostly shaded and cool. Be very careful as you go down, watch out for the slippery rocks. There are some parts the descent is steep, so take your time and don’t fall or hurt your knees. Accidents have been reported before for hikers trying to take selfie and lost the footing and fell from the waterfall, knowing our limits is the key to staying safe.

Below are the 4 main Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls:
1. Scatter Fall 散髮瀑, the cascades look like the hair of a woman from the back.

2. Main Fall 主瀑, the tallest waterfall with over 30 meters high.

3. Middle Fall 中瀑

4. Bottom Fall 井底瀑, this fall looks like you are in the bottom of the well.

You’ll be very surprised that you’ll find all these amazing places in Hong Kong. They are very close to us and we have easy access to most of them. I hope you go try out this trail and let me know what you think.