Top 10 Historic Hong Kong Hikes | bandatourism

JARDINE'S LOOKOUT

Start: Hong Kong Parkview (Tai Tam Reservoir Road)

Finish: Kornhill (Quarry Bay)

Length: 6 km / ~2 hours 30 mins

Follow the path to explore this tranquil area of Hong Kong Island with lush greenery and spectacular sea views. Along with the beautiful, natural landscape you’ll also find numerous heritage sites, from an old quarry to hillside Buddhist sanctuary and colonial houses. Look out for the WWII Hero Plaque located just beyond the H052 marker on the Hong Kong Trail. The plaque commemorates the Winnipeg Grenadiers and John Osborn, who sacrificed his life by flinging his body on a grenade as it exploded, saving several of his comrades.

LAMMA ISLAND EXCURSION

Start: Yung Shue Wan Pier

Finish: Sok Kwu Wan Pier

Length: 4.5 km / ~1 hour 45 minutes

Named in Chinese for its Y-shape, Lamma Island is the third-largest island in Hong Kong and, with its relaxing and tranquil atmosphere, forms a sharp contrast with Hong Kong Island, although it is only 30 minutes away by ferry. From Yung Shue Wan Pier, walk past the shops and through different villages while admiring over 600 different types of plants. After passing Lo So Shing Beach, you’ll walk by the local Tin Hau Temple and a number of “Kamikaze Grottos,” large caves where the Japanese used to hide and launch suicide attacks during WWII. This is also where the native Romer’s Tree Frog was discovered in 1952. Before you leave, treat yourself to some fresh and tasty seafood in one of the local restaurants.

LANTAU ISLAND

Start: Ngong Ping, Po Lin Monastery

Finish: Tung Chung MTR Station

Length: 7.5 km / ~ 2 hours 30 mins

Best planned as a half- or full-day outing, this hike has it all with cultural, natural and historical elements. The mountaintop Po Lin Monastery is home to the famous bronze Buddha statue and further down the path you’ll pass a number of smaller temples, such as the Po Lam Zen Monastery and the Lo Han Monastery with monks and nuns still working and chanting inside. The walk also provides great views of the airport, Tung Chung and Ngong Ping 360 cable-cars along the way. You can choose to end the journey at Tung Tseng Tau by taking a bus coming down to Tung Chung Road, but if you keep on walking, you’ll arrive at Tung Chung Fort. Occupying a 70- by 80-meter site, this structure was built by the Qing government to fight pirates.

MT. AUSTIN ROAD

Start: The Peak Tram Station

Finish: The University of Hong Kong

Length: 3.5 km / ~2 hours

High atop the Peak, this hike offers spectacular views of the harbor and mountains, as well as some interesting buildings and stunning houses. The main historical attraction is Pinewood Battery which was originally built in 1901-1905 to defend against entry to Hong Kong’s harbor. While guns were installed, these were never used and were removed until the Battery was needed as an anti-aircraft defense during World War I when several buildings and shelters were also added. You’ll also see The Gate House, which was built in Edwardian times as the gatekeeper’s quarters to the long-gone Mountain Lodge, the governor’s summer home.

PEEL RISE

Start: The Peak Tower

Finish: Wan Chai Gap

Length: 8 km / ~2 hours 30 mins

This trail on the Peak provides impressive natural scenery including a waterfall and views of Mt. Kellett, two reservoirs and even the far South China Sea. Be sure to read the map and signposts along the way carefully since there are a number of forked roads. The path also leads you to two historical sites: Matilda Hospital and the Police Museum. The former was an estate donated by Granville Sharp in memory of his wife and was then transformed into a hospital, while the latter gives you information on the history of the Hong Kong police force including photos of old police teams and even the head of the Sheung Shui Tiger.

THE SHING MUN REDOUBT

Start: Pineapple Dam (top of Shing Mun Road)

Finish: Tai Po Road at Piper’s Hill

Length: 5.4 km / ~2 hours

The most important historical site of this hike, the Shing Mun Redoubt, was the main defensive structure against Japanese invasion during WWII. The fortification fell in just one night in a surprise attack, though it was supposed to hold the enemy for at least a week. With concrete tunnels, bunkers and pillboxes still intact, you can feel the intensity of the battle. Following the path, you’ll pass by four reservoirs and may encounter dozens of monkeys so take care, especially if you bring food with you.

SOUTHERN LOOP

Start: Sok Kwu Wan Village, Lamma Island

Finish: Sok Kwu Wan Village

Length: 5.5 km / ~2 hours

This hike passes through some tranquil villages along the southern Lamma coast, one of which was once home to the international movie actor Chow Yun-Fat. It starts at the boardwalk with the seafood restaurants and then ascends gradually down stairs with bamboo providing plenty of shade. Afterwards, you should see a meandering trail downhill with bushes and shrubs—though there is less tree cover from the strong sunlight here, you get the chance to have a better look at the view and the great variety of plants. Before long you should reach the old Tung O village and finally head back to Sok Kwu Wan village for a wonderful seafood feast.

TAI MO SHAN

Start: Top of Tai Mo Shan Road

Finish: Lam King Road (near Ng Tung Chai village)

Length: 8.5 km / ~ 3 hours 30 minutes

With many steep ups and downs along the way, the hill ascends for over 200 meters before dropping nearly 800 meters and isn’t for the faint-hearted. But with the high altitude, you do get beautiful views in every direction from Kam Tin Plain, to Tsing Yi Island and even Shekou on the other side of the border. Start with a picnic at Tai Mo Shan Picnic Site No.4 and then visit Ng Tung Chai Upper Waterfall, which is about 60 feet high and has a large clear pool at the bottom. At the end section of the path, you will find a junction. Go left to see a large temple as well as a few traditional Chinese graveyards and then head back to the right to reach Ng Tung Chai Village.

TRAPPIST MONASTERY

Start: Discovery Bay Ferry Pier

Finish: Mui Wo Ferry Pier

Length: 6.5 km / ~2 hours 30 mins

Follow the steep path at the beginning and enjoy the scenery from the hilltop—you’ll see Disneyland, the Tsing Ma Bridge, mountain ranges and bays. Then head downhill past the Trappist Monastery where monks still maintain the simple, ascetic life style they have kept for decades. Nearby you can see herds of milk cows that were previously kept by the Trappists to produce milk, but now wander in the hills. The trail is about half sand and half concrete and covered by trees so it is comfortable even on a hot day.

WORLD WAR II TRAIL

Start: Hong Kong Parkview (Tai Tam Reservoir Road)

Finish: Hong Kong Tennis Center (Wong Nai Chung Gap Road)

Length: 2.5km/ ~1.5 hours

Traveling past fortifications, pillboxes and gun batteries, this trail gives an insight into the WWII battle which took place in Hong Kong with signboards depicting the final stages. Modern buildings like Hong Kong Tennis Center and Hong Kong Cricket Club form a sharp contrast with older buildings such as St. John Wat Memorial and West Brigade Headquarters. At the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, you can enjoy luscious views over Happy Valley all the way to Kowloon. The hike is mostly flat and easy to walk, but for a longer outing, you could carry on to Kornhill.

by http://travel.asia-city.com