Hong Kong is a city of towers. Lofty fortresses sprawl across its islands, forming canopies of concrete and metal instead of trees. It's an urbanite's paradise embedded with high-end shopping malls, Michelin-starred restaurants and elevating experiences.
It is, therefore, usually easy to miss out on the city's gentler tellurian side: It is fecund with surf-chiseled coasts, sun-dappled woodlands, absorbing sceneries and even surreal land formations.
All these natural wonders offer denizens and out-of-towners outdoorsy experiences as well as opportunities to escape from the city bustle and breathe in some fresh air. Here are a couple of great places to visit for wild and woolly outdoor adventures in Hong Kong:
Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark
Take a cab out of Hong Kong's skyscraper-paved avenues and make your way to the seafood haven town of Sai Kung where you grab another cab that will meander into the Sai Kung Country Park. This lush piece of fertile land, separated into East and West, is one of the places where locals go to run wild, explore rocky shorelines, hit the trails and jump off from for aquatic adventures.
More famously, it's home to the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, the remote outpost that encompasses many of Hong Kong's fascinating geologic wonders. In one part are its towering, otherworldly hexagonal rock columns, reminiscent of Ireland's Giant Causeway, (only rarer as they're made of rhyolitic tuff).
Must-stops are the High Island Reservoir East Dam-which is home to the city's innovative dolosse blocks-the Ninepin Island Group, and Po Pin Chau, which was dislodged from the main island by waves.
In the other section are different sedimentary rock-riddled sites that document and showcase Hong Kong's volcanic history. Be sure to see Sharp Island, famous for its tombolo (that draw Instagram opportunists) and its pineapple buns. On this island, swimming, hiking, snorkeling and kayaking are the prime activities. When the tide is low, cross that tombolo to the islet of Kiu Tau, but make sure you're back before the tide flows back in.
It all looks magnificent, herculean and engrossing in person, with a side of-as paradoxical as it may sound-wild cow sightings. Later, head back to Sai Kung and round out your trip with a luscious meal of fresh seafood and a dessert of the unforgettable pineapple buns-the baked delights version.
Lantau Island
One would be very remiss to miss out on Lantau Island. If Sai Kung is Hong Kong's playground, Lantau-the biggest island-is its great outdoors.
Better known to tourists as Hong Kong Disneyland's home, this island has a knack for surprising you, whether it is the way a small fishing village endears itself or the way fog-enveloped mountains greet you in the morning.
Spend a day or two at Disneyland-or skip it altogether if you're not a theme park type of person-and carve out more time to explore the rest of Lantau. It hosts a number of beautiful beaches like Cheung Sha and Pui O, so a summertime visit is a must.
It's also home to the Big Buddha-seated atop a lotus throne overlooking the whole island at the Po Lin Monastery-and the Ngong Ping Cable Car, whose terminus ad quem is the mountain village of Ngong Ping.
History buffs will adore the fishing village of Tai O, Hong Kong's last remaining traditional village whose waterways have earned it the moniker "Venice of the Orient." Slip into a slow and lazy rhythm, people-watch, check out the stilt houses and sample unusual, pungent treats at the stalls that line the narrow streets. Stay overnight to really get that country life feel-Espace Elastique B&B awaits with minimalist rooms and a hearty morning meal.
Of course, you cannot head back to the city without a sunrise trek to Lantau Peak. Set off around 3 or 4 a.m. for a very early morning hike and trek for two hours to the very top, where a spectacular sunrise is your reward.
Heading to Hong Kong? Hong Kong Airlines launched its first route from the Continental United States to Hong Kong in December. The Hong Kong-based carrier now has daily service to/from the Los Angeles International Airport, offering business class, Economy Comfort and economy class seats. The airline is also slated to launch its Hong Kong to San Francisco service in March 2018.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
