Beyond the skyscrapers
Hong Kong is a busy city, well-known for its hustle-bustle and skyscrapers. It is easy to overlook the city’s natural beauty. Go to one of the outlying islands for a tranquil spot to relax after your overwhelming shopping in the city; if you are up for something more adventurous, have a hike on the deserted beach. Looking for something “down to the earth”? Go to the geopark! And the best part is – all these trails are less than 1.5 hours away from the city center.
There are numerous Family Trails in Hong Kong. Family Trails are easy trails designed for families with kids, usually, takes around 3 hours or less to finish. The one on Lamma Island is a popular one to enjoy the coastal view. Just hop on a ferry at Central ferry pier 4 to Lamma Island (Yung Shue Wan). It will take you around30-40 minutes to get to the island. The trails will lead you along the coast of the island where you can enjoy sweeping views of Hung Shing Yeh Beach and oversee the Lantau Island and Cheung Chau. The trail will then bring you all the way to the old fishing village Lo So Shing village and the Kamikaze Cave, where the Japanese force launched speedboat suicide mission during the Second World War. The trail is well-paved with a clear signpost, easy for kids and beginners. After a 2.5-hour stroll, you will find yourself in Sok Kwu Wan Village and surrounded by seafood restaurants, where you can indulge yourself with seafood freshly caught from the sea after the walk.
Too easy for you? How about an expatiation to a deserted beach? Sai Kung East Country Park will be a great place to go if you are up for challenges and adventures. The country park located on the coasts of the remote part in Sai Kung, in the eastern part of Hong Kong. Just 20 kilometer from Kowloon center and less than 1 hour of a bus ride away, you will found yourself surrounded by a quiet and deserted beach. Take a long walk along the coastlines of Sai Kung East Country Park and explore the tropical woods. Hike up the forested ridges and you will find views of the spectacular mountain, and coastal sea views with white sandy beaches. The whole trails will take around 8 hours to finish but don’t be stressed out. Go down to the white sand beach on the mid-way in your expatiation, have a dip in the water or grab a locally crafted beer and enjoy the deserted beach and continue your journey.
Finally, for the hardcore hiker, go to the Geopark. Yes – there is a geopark in Hong Kong where you can find the world’s largest examples of hexagonal columnar jointing. The Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark comprises of the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region. The guided tour takes around 8.5 hours to finish. The tour is organized every day. It is graded as moderate. Make sure you have your hiking boots with you and bring along plenty of water, sun block and a change of clothing!
