Known as the ‘South Pole of Hong Kong’, Po Toi Island is composed almost entirely of well-weathered granite. Its peculiar looking rocks and seaweed are equally renowned. Be sure to try some seaweed soup and take home some dried seafood products.

The island is a popular junk spot but also may be reached by ferry from Stanley and Aberdeen. Photo credit: visionsoftravel.org

Starting Point — Po Toi Pier

Approaching the pier, you can catch a glimpse of the Conch Rock to your left. Go left from the pier and follow the trail to the right of the store. Photo credit: andystatham.com

Ngau Wu Teng Pavilion

Walk across Cheung Shek Pai, a series of granitic rocks forming a natural track, and find yourself at the peak of the trail. Take a break at the pavilion to enjoy a boundless view of the South China Sea. Photo credit: blog.yacht.holimood.com

Monk Rock and Tortoise Rock

Descend until you are greeted by what seems to be a huge tortoise slowing making its way uphill, and a slender monk on the other side bowing at passers-by. Photo credit: webs-of-significance.blogspot.com

Nam Kok Tsui lighthouse and Gold Panning Cliff

Enjoy the magnificent sea view under Lighthouse 126. Continue down to Gold Panning Cliff, under which waves pound and seaweeds abound. Photo credit: ciaogogo.com

Palm Cliff

On your way back to the pier from Nam Kok Tsui, get a good look at the gigantic ‘palm of Buddha’ — a hand-shaped feature carved into the face of a cliff by the elements, which is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Po Toi. Photo credit: timeout.com

Endpoint — Rock Carvings

Follow the path down a flight of stairs to the shore to see 3,000-year-old rock carvings on a cliff in Nam Tum. A Declared Monument, these prehistoric totems have faded considerably and are currently protected by a sheet of fibre glass. Photo credit: dml.hk

Click here for a better resolution of Tung Chung to Tai O trail map.

Info:
Area: Outlying Island District
Starting point and Endpoint: Po Toi Pier
Average hiking time: About 2.5 hours
Distance: Approximately 4 km
Replenishing stations: There are eateries and a seafood restaurant near the pier, though no replenishments are available along the hiking trail.
Difficulty: Moderate - Steep climb and descent for the first half

How to get there:

• To the starting point:

  • Board a kaito (small ferry) at Aberdeen Pier. The journey takes around an hour. This kaito service operates only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays; or,

  • board a kaito at Stanley Blake Pier. The journey takes around 30 minutes. This kaito service operates only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

  From the endpoint: Board a kaito at Po Toi Pier for Aberdeen or Stanley Pier.
  
  For the kaito service schedule, please refer to the Transport Department website.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

From turquoise coves and traditional fishing villages to an environmentally friendly wind turbine, Lamma Island is a medley of hidden Hong Kong scenery.

Lamma Island, also known as Y Island or Pok Liu Chau or simply Pok Liu, is the third-largest island in Hong Kong. Photo credit: hongkong.cathaypacific.com

Starting Point — Sok Kwu Wan

Visitors are welcomed by a streetful of seafood restaurants and arts and crafts stores once they disembark at the pier. Photo credit: beckyexploring.com

Tin Hau Temple

This 150-year-old Tin Hau Temple is where local fishermen pray to Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea, for safety and fruitful returns before setting out to fish. Renovated after a fire in 2005, the temple houses a specimen of the world’s longest bony fish, giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne), discovered in 2001 in Lamma Island Strait. Photo credit: pinterest.com

Hilltop pavilion (Lamma Island Family Walk)

Following the Family Walk you will soon reach a pavilion. Take a break and enjoy the magnificent view of Aberdeen, Repulse Bay and Ocean Park across East Lamma Channel. Photo credit: en.tripadvisor.com.hk

Hung Shing Yeh Beach

Fine sands, clear waters, beautiful sunshine and refreshing sea breeze — no wonder visitors and locals alike love to swim and sunbathe here!. Photo credit: jonistravelling.com

Lamma Winds

After a 20-minute hike from Hung Shing Yeh Beach to the hilltop of Tai Ling, a giant wind turbine comes into sight. It is Hong Kong’s first commercial-scale wind turbine, providing electricity to local residents and reducing the amount of coal burnt for energy by about 350 tonnes annually. Walk up a small stairway to the pavilion nearby for an open view of both the Lamma Wind Turbine and Lamma Power Station. Photo credit: scmp.com

Endpoint — Yung Shue Wan

Holiday rental flats, handicraft stores, bars, restaurants and cafes line the narrow streets of Yung Shue Wan. The village is a great hang-out for islanders and a colourful finale to your journey offering snacks and souvenirs before you hop on a ferry to Aberdeen and Central. Photo credit: gabisworld.com

Click here for a better resolution of Tung Chung to Tai O trail map.

Info:
Area: Outlying Island District
Starting point: Sok Kwu Wan
Endpoint: Yung Shue Wan Main Street
Average hiking time: About 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 7 km
Replenishing stations: There are a few booths selling herbal tea, soft drinks and snacks on the way but they usually only open during weekends. It’s better to stock up at Sok Kwu Wan, but please note that some restaurants may close on weekdays.
Difficulty: Moderate - Leveled path, a number of replenishment options)

How to get there:

• To the starting point:
  Take a 30-minute ferry ride from Central Pier 4 (MTR Hong Kong Station Exit E1, walk through IFC mall, and the footbridge) to Sok Kwu Wan.
  
  From the endpoint:
  Take a ferry from Yung Shue Wan pier to Central or Aberdeen. From here, public transport is available to other destinations.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Sunset Peak (869 m), featuring gorgeous sunset views, is the third highest mountain in Hong Kong and proves to be a rewarding yet difficult climb. The expansive scenery from the top is truly impressive. Try going in autumn or winter: you will find the shiny seas of silvergrass along the trail unforgettable.

Sunset Peak hike on Lantau Island is an epic stairway climbing challenge to one of the best viewpoints in Hong Kong. Photo credit: localiiz.com

Lantau Trail

Begin your hike at Pak Kung Au between Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak. Trekking along the Lantau Trail toward Sunset Peak, be ready for a 2 km uphill climb. Luckily, much of the ascent is shaded. At the end, with only shrubs and tall grass along the trail, you’ll get panoramic views. Photo credit: blog.holimood.com

Sunset Peak

The ridge between Sunset Peak and Yi Tung Shan is a great site for photographing the seas of silvergrass that light up the surrounding slopes. Photo credit: united-travel.net

Lantau Mountain Camp, Yi Tung Shan & Nam Shan

While walking uphill, you will find stone sheds along the trail. The Lantau Mountain Camp was built almost a century ago as holiday accommodation for early British missionaries. Continue on the trail to begin your descent towards Yi Tung Shan and Nam Shan. Photo credit: oasistrek.com

Luk Tei Tong Watch Tower

When descending towards Nam Shan, watch your step on the flight of stone steps. Then take the old village path toward Mui Wo. After about 20 minutes on the path, you will see the sturdy granite Luk Tei Tong Watch Tower that was built in 1942. After walking for about 15 minutes on the village path, you will arrive at Mui Wo, your destination. Photo credit: 360cities.net

Trip ideas:

• If you choose to end your hike at Nam Shan, you can take bus 1, 2, 3M, or 4 to Mui Wo, or 3M to MTR Tung Chung Station. The bus stop is on South Lantau Road.

• If you’ve still got energy after the hike, continue on the seaside path for a swim at the beautiful beach in Silver Mine Bay.

• If you plan to watch the sunset here, check the Hong Kong Observatory website for the exact sunset time. It is also essential to bring along torches or headlamps.

• Don’t pick the wild plants.

Click here for a better resolution of Tung Chung to Tai O trail map.

Info:
Area: Lantau Island District
Starting point: Pak Kung Au
Endpoint: Mui Wo
Average hiking time: About 4.5 hours
Distance: About 9 km
Replenishing stations: There are no kiosks along the way, so it’s best to stock up at Tung Chung before the hike. After the hike, Mui Wo is a good stop. Treat yourself at one of its many cafés and restaurants.
Difficulty: Difficult - Substantial ascent in the first half of the trail and exposed environment on the ridge; descent by a long flight of stone steps.

How to get there:

• To the starting point:
  From MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, take bus 3M, 11, or 23 at Tung Chung Bus Terminus and get off at Pak Kung Au.
  
  From the end point:

  • At Mui Wo Bus Terminus, take bus 3M to MTR Tung Chung Station.

  • Take the ferry from Mui Wo to Central.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

On Lantau Island, the Tung O Ancient Trail was once an important passage for villagers to commute between Tung Chung and Tai O. The coastal trail offers manifold photography opportunities, from the futuristic mega infrastructures of Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (under construction) to an ancient fort, temples and a centuries-old fishing village set against mangroves and green hills.

The trail offers a beautiful path along the coastal line overlooking Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in the first section and interesting quant villages in the next. Photo credit: Hello! Hong Kong - viviroselim

Starting Point — Tung Chung Fort

Built in 1832, Tung Chung Fort was once the naval headquarters of the Right Battalion of Dapeng (today’s southeast Shenzhen). The fort is now a Declared Monument and visitors are free to explore the parapet wall, barrack houses and antique cannons. Photo credit: timeout.com

Tung Chung Bay

Stay on the level path along the coastline. Literally ‘Horseshoe Crab Bay’, the name of this cove suggests that this living fossil species once thrived here. Take a break at the pavilion after climbing up the slope and watch planes take off behind Hong Kong Link Road. Photo credit: Hello! Hong Kong - viviroselim

Northwest Lantau Coast

This section of Tung O Ancient Trail offers views of the sweeping seascape of Pearl River Delta and South China Sea. Enjoy the sea breeze as you hike along the rugged coastline. While descending to Tai O at the end of the trail, you’ll see the historic North Lantau Obelisk erected in 1902. Photo credit: alltrails.com

Photo Tips by Jessica Li

Have your friends sit at the edge of the Sham Wat Wan pier. Aim with them in the middle of the foreground for a sharp image. Take a wide angle shot to capture the peaceful bay and the skies surrounding them. Photo credit: 360cities.net

*Jessica Li is the winner of 2017 ‘The People and Nature Category Award’ of the ‘What's Your Nature?’ photo contest organised by The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

Po Chue Tam

This tranquil inlet behind Tai O gives perfect reflections of the green hills around. Follow the paved path to Yeung Hau Temple built in 1699, also to commemorate the prince marquis Yeung Leung-jit. Photo credit: Hello! Hong Kong - viviroselim

Stilt Houses

Dubbed ‘the Venice of Hong Kong’, Tai O is home to fisherfolk who’ve built their houses on stilts above the tidal flats for generations. These elevated houses are interconnected, forming a tightly knit community above the water. Today you will still see dwellers tidying their fishing nets, sun-drying salted fish or making shrimp paste on their balconies. Photo credit: Hello! Hong Kong - viviroselim

Ending point - Tai O Heritage Hotel

Built in 1902, Tai O Police Station was revitalised into a boutique hotel a few years ago. Many of its original features are well preserved, such as the colonial-style architecture, cannons, corner turrets and cells. From here, proceed to Tai O Bus Terminus for bus connections to other districts. Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Click here for a better resolution of Tung Chung to Tai O trail map.

Info:
Area: Lantau Island District
Starting point: Tung Chung Fort
Endpoint: Tai O Heritage Hotel (proceed to Tai O Bus Terminus for departure)
Average hiking time: About 4.5 hours
Distance: About 14.5 km
Replenishing stations: There are no kiosks along the way, so it’s best to stock up at Tung Chung before the hike. Fuel up at restaurants around MTR Tung Chung Station, or sample the amazing array of street food after you finish your hike in Tai O.
Difficulty: Difficult - Relatively long distance with a fair amount of uphill and downhill sections

How to get there:

• To the starting point:

  From MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, take bus 3M, 11, 23 or 34 at Tung Chung Bus Terminus and get off at Ha Ling Pei. Follow the signs to Tung Chung Fort.
  
  From the endpoint:

  • Take New Lantao Bus 11 to MTR Tung Chung Station.

  • A ferry is available from Tai O to Tung Chung and Tuen Mun. From these points, public transport is available to other destinations.

  Please click here for the ferry schedule.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.