The Side of Hong Kong I Never Knew Existed 

I say ‘Hong Kong’, you think sprawling city. But that’s not the version of Hong Kong Explorer Cam knows after four days in the region. Here’s the side of Hong Kong we didn’t know existed.

I honestly didn’t know a whole lot about Hong Kong before I visited for the first time earlier this year. As an avid hiker and outdoor Explorer, I travel all across the globe looking for the best adventure locations.

Usually, these locations are famous for their trails and natural environments, with like-minded people flocking there all for the same reason – to experience the wonder and tranquillity of the outside world.

My prior perception of Hong Kong certainly didn’t involve trails or particularly adventurous natural areas. I knew it as a finance hub with an expansive metropolis. I’d heard that the food was incredible and that the shopping brought tourists from across the world.

But after spending a few days in Hong Kong, I learnt that the food and the city, whilst amazing, aren’t the only thing that’ll be bringing me back.

I bet you didn’t think you’d see this scene in Hong Kong

It was the hiking, the mountains, and the spectacular coastline that blew me away. I went from not knowing about a single hiking trail in Hong Kong, to realising there’s a seemingly endless supply of them on offer.

The region is almost entirely mountainous, with population centres densely situated in small flat pockets of land. This means there are expansive, remote wilderness areas scattered across the entirety of Hong Kong. And I haven’t even mentioned the beautiful coastline and pristine beaches fringing the region.

Read more: 4 Unmissable Hikes in Hong Kong

Four Days in Paradise

Day One

While my time in Hong Kong was short, it was jam-packed and full of adventure.

After landing in Hong Kong, I dropped my bags at the hotel and immediately ventured into one of Hong Kong’s many wilderness areas and hit the trails. Sai Kung Country Park, about an hour’s drive from Hong Kong city, almost immediately smashed any previous perceptions of Hong Kong I had.

I come from Western Australia, home to the best coastline on Earth (you won’t change my mind), so I’m a little spoiled for incredible beaches. But the pristine coast of Sai Kung Country Park was about as close as you could come to matching what I’m used to back home.

We walked along squeaky white sand beaches with some of the bluest water I’ve seen. A swim or two to break up the hike was an absolute necessity and it truly felt like I was back home in WA.

Perfection that reminds me of home

After leaving the coast we ventured up onto the mountain ridgelines that make up the majority of Sai Kung Country Park and once again, I was pleasantly surprised at the beauty of the trail.

My home city of Perth has no true mountains, so to have these rugged, spectacular peaks neighbouring the incredible coastline is something I’m certainly not used to. After descending down from the ridge, I took a ferry back to the trailhead with a wide-angle view of the trail I had just walked – what a sight.

Day one, adventure one, and Hong Kong was already somewhere I felt like I could spend an eternity exploring.

Over the following three days, the adventures continued, with so much of Hong Kong left to see, I couldn’t wait to wake up each morning and experience something new and exciting. Hong Kong had me hooked!

Read more: Mountains, Island, and Deserted Beaches: Travel Hong Kong Like an Explorer

Day Two

I awoke well before the sun on the morning of day two with the goal of summiting Hong Kong’s highest peak, Tai Mo Shan, at sunrise. Accessing the trail was convenient with a taxi taking me to a road not too far from the summit.

While the peak was clouded and the views were sporadic at best, there is always something special about being at the literal top of a city, country or region and Tai Mon Shan was no different.

Descending the mountain was just as epic, following the Ng Tung Chai waterfall trail through the forest. Waterfalls, something I always priotise exploring during my trips, was another surprise to me being so present on Hong Kong trails.

Another great surprise

Later on that day, I met up with Edmund, a water sports guide and professional stand-up paddleboard racer based out of Kai Ling Ha Village. He took me off the land and onto the water to explore the coast around Sham Chung Village via kayak.

Walking along beaches accessible by car or foot is one thing, but paddling to rarely-visited beaches and islands is a whole new experience.

All to ourselves!

Hong Kong is made up of 263 distinct islands, of which I was only able to explore a couple (Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island, the two biggest in Hong Kong), each being incredible in their own right.

Edmund guided me along the coast to spots only a local would know, and we landed on multiple private beaches that seemed completely untouched. I connected deeply with Edmund, a fellow outdoor lover, and he inspired me to keep chasing new experiences like the one we embarked on together.

Day Three

My third day in Hong Kong was another action-packed day, filled with good food, good trails, and a mighty fine SUP session.

The day started on calm waters, paddle in hand, as I admired the way such a lively city so quickly gives way to peaceful nature. What a treat to meet up with Edmund again and be toured around the waters of Kei Ling Ha. Cheers Blue Sky Sports Club!

Next up, Sidney, who’d been helping me navigate around Hong Kong since I arrived, introduced me to some different local cuisine (some of which I was a little too nervous to actually try).

A harbourside seafood restaurant in Sai Kung Village was a highlight with every creature from the ocean seemingly on offer. We ordered Lo Mai Fan (Cantonese sticky rice) and a variety of dim sum and I could not get enough.

Sidney, who grew up on Lantau Island (Hong Kong’s largest island) knows just about everything there is to know about Hong Kong. We exchanged adventure stories from home, and he shared his experiences growing up in this unique region of the world.

Hong Kong has a rich cultural history and learning about it from someone who’s lived it was intriguing and made my time there so much more valuable. Sidney and I certainly had different upbringings, but we shared the common human experience of highs and lows in life and the inner drive to see and be more.

A hike to Lion Rock followed our lunchtime conversations. Lion Rock is a popular trail with many local hikers climbing to its peak every morning for sunrise. We attempted the trail for sunset and as the trail directly neighbours Hong Kong city, the view from the summit was like none I’d seen yet.

The sun setting over the dense Hong Kong skyline was beautiful and soon the light of the sun was replaced with every skyscraper coming to life. Our descent off Lion Rock saw us cross paths with a large troop of monkeys, seemingly unfazed by our presence.

Ok, maybe they were a little shocked

Hong Kong’s abundant bird and bug life provides a calming ambience on the trails. Seeing the monkeys was pretty cool, they’re my favourite animal after all, and it was a fitting end to another memorable day in Hong Kong.

Day Four

Despite it being my last day in Hong Kong, I wasn’t planning on slowing down until I reached the airport that afternoon. Sidney and I met up with Gabi, a hiking guide from ‘Walk Hong Kong’ at a trailhead near to my hotel.

We’d planned a quick two-hour trek along Dragon’s Back ridge before I flew out, a popular trail for visitors due to its accessibility and stunning views.

Gabi, originally from Switzerland had been living in Hong Kong for a long time and knew a lot about hiking in the region. She shared her expertise in the local flora and fauna and had plenty of suggestions for trails to hike during my next visit including ‘Sunset Peak’ on Lantau Island and ‘Twin Peaks’ in Tai Tam Country Park.

It’s a popular hike for good reason

The walk along Dragon’s Back was bittersweet, as it would be my last steps on Hong Kong trails for the trip. It was absolutely one of the most beautiful walks of my time though, with incredible views of the surrounding South China Sea and dramatic coastline.

During my taxi ride back to the airport I reflected on my whirlwind trip (I hadn’t had much time to think amongst all the adventure). Each day was unique and fun, but what did I enjoy the most during my time? Was it the incredible natural landscapes and hiking trails?

The people I met and shared experiences with? Was it the culture, the food, the city? I concluded that it was the combination of it all, and all in one place. Hong Kong, you were amazing. I’ll be back.

A Spectacular Surprise

Hong Kong was a surprisingly adventurous and joyous first trip of 2024 for me, one that I’ll remember for a long time (and hope to revisit sooner rather than later). The locals I met, the conversations I had and the trails explored – every minute on the land and the water was amazing.

This is definitely one of the most memorable trips I’ve had

If you’re looking for an adventurous, cultural experience, not too far from home, Hong Kong is a great option. There are so many awesome aspects of the region and there’s truly a little something for everyone.