Live Your Best Lives
Starting February 6th, travel between mainland China and Hong Kong and Macau will be fully resumed! Furthermore, several locations in Guangdong have officially announced that 24-hour self-service visa applications for Hong Kong and Macau will resume, eliminating the need for appointments. Visas can be issued in just 3 minutes, allowing you to apply and go. After over 1,000 days of waiting, everyone must be itching to visit Hong Kong and Macau!
Not long ago, another piece of good news came: starting March 1st, the mask mandate in Hong Kong will be completely lifted! It seems that it’s time to put plans for a trip to Hong Kong on the agenda!
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When you think of Hong Kong, what comes to mind? The countless delicious foods and department stores, the undeniable shopping paradise, the extravagant extravagance depicted in Wong Kar-wai's films, the urban atmosphere constantly captured by TVB cameras, or the glamorous world depicted in countless songs?
Picture @Photo.net
Did you know that three-quarters of Hong Kong has nothing to do with these things? Liu Kexiang once wrote "Three-Quarters of Hong Kong," telling us, "At least three-quarters of Hong Kong is unfamiliar to you." It suddenly dawned on us that we'd been in the wrong place!
Putting aside Hong Kong's prosperous and fashionable "urban forest", few people know that in this international metropolis where every inch of land is valuable, nearly 3/4 of the land is endless countryside. From the city to the mountains and seas, outlying islands, winding mountain roads, pristine natural forests, and waves, Hong Kong's most authentic "green forest" is hidden.
The city is surrounded by green fields, and with convenient local transportation, Hong Kong people can proudly say: "It only takes us half an hour to go from the bustling city to another natural world."
Today, I will introduce to you 6 great places for the Hong Kong version of "The Wizard of Oz" that I have collected for a long time. Next time you come to Hong Kong, you will not only do some shopping and eat at a tea restaurant, but also go to the outlying islands to see the sea, hike and climb the mountains, and unlock a "hidden version" of Hong Kong!
Hong Kong's first hiking trail
Beautiful scenery index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Walking difficulty: ⭐
The MacLehose Trail is the most famous of Hong Kong's four major hiking trails, offering half mountain views and half ocean views. Opened on October 26, 1979, it was the city's first hiking trail. At 100 kilometers long, it's the longest in Hong Kong and has been named one of the world's best hiking trails by the National Geographic Society.
Starting from Pak Tam Chung in Sai Kung, bypassing the High Island Reservoir, the MacLehose Trail runs from east to west across the New Territories, ending in Tuen Mun. It is divided into ten sections. Stretching from the end of the mountain to the beginning of the sea, it is rugged, simple, and poetic.
Among them, sections one and two are most suitable for leisure hiking. It is a wonderful rock route with signposts along the way, and there are check-in points and rest areas at each section.
Along the way, you can not only see the large hexagonal columnar stone group of the Hong Kong Global Geopark, but also see two of the "Top Ten Scenic Spots in Hong Kong", the High Island Reservoir and Long Ke Wan. Even though the journey is long, the facilities are well-equipped and the journey is easy and effortless!
One of Hong Kong's classic picnic routes
Beautiful scenery index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Walking difficulty: ⭐⭐⭐
The Wilson Trail is Hong Kong's newest long-distance hiking trail. Officially opened in 1996, it is 78 kilometers long and divided into 10 sections. It runs from south to north, crossing many of Hong Kong's mountains and running through eight country parks. It is the second longest hiking trail in Hong Kong after the MacLehose Trail.
It was named in memory of Sir David Wilson, a former Governor of Hong Kong who was fond of Hong Kong's landscape and hiking activities. Among them, Pat Sin Leng in Hong Kong is the main scenic spot of Pat Sin Leng Country Park. It is the core section of Sections 9 and 10 of the Wilson Trail and is also one of the 38 classic country trails in Hong Kong.
Baxianling is named after its eight consecutive peaks, namely Xiangu Peak (511 meters above sea level), Xiangzi Peak (513 meters above sea level), Caihe Peak (489 meters above sea level), Caojiu Peak (508 meters above sea level), Guaili Peak (522 meters above sea level), Guolao Peak (543 meters above sea level), Zhongli Peak (529 meters above sea level), and Chunyang Peak (590 meters above sea level).
The distance between the eight peaks is not far. Once you climb them, you can see the magnificent mountains and rivers!
Suicide cliffs often appear on TVB
Beautiful scenery index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Walking difficulty: ⭐⭐
Fei Ngo Shan, located at the junction of Wong Tai Sin, Kwun Tong, Sai Kung and Sha Tin districts in Hong Kong, is also known as Kowloon Peak. It is 602 meters high, ranking 6th among all the peaks in Hong Kong and the highest peak in Kowloon.
Here we can enjoy the scenery of the entire Kowloon Peninsula, the north shore of Hong Kong Island, Sha Tin area and the coastal area of Ho Chung. The famous "Suicide Cliff" where TVB filmed and explored is located at the top of South Ridge Mountain.
Today, Fei Ngo Shan is designated as part of Ma On Shan Country Park. Climbing up to the observation deck, you can not only enjoy the vast sea of Sai Kung and dozens of islands, but also enjoy the panoramic view of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.
The sunset here is also worth seeing. Hiking in the afterglow of the setting sun is a different kind of hiking experience. When night falls, you can overlook the night view of the entire Hong Kong Peninsula.
Sunset Peak + Eason Mountain
Beautiful scenery index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Walking difficulty: ⭐⭐
If you want to watch the sunset in Hong Kong, Tai Tung Shan is the best place to go! After all, Tai Tung Shan’s English name is Sunset Peak, which shows how beautiful the sunset is here.
As for why it is also called "Eason Chan Mountain", it is probably because in 2010, the cover of Eason Chan's album "Taste the Atmosphere" was shot here. As soon as the CD was released, it attracted a large number of fans and photography enthusiasts to check in. Since then, Dadong Mountain has become famous!
Tai Tung Shan is the third highest mountain in Hong Kong (869 meters), after Tai Mo Shan (957 meters) and Phoenix Mountain (934 meters). It is located in Lantau Country Park.
If you are lucky enough to come here in autumn, you will see the Miscanthus grass all over the mountains turning into layers of golden color, just like a Wugong Mountain meadow. This is a rare sight in the humid climate of Lingnan!
Asia's Best Hiking Trails
Beautiful scenery index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Walking difficulty: ⭐⭐
The Dragon's Back Hiking Trail was once selected as "Asia's Best Urban Hiking Trail" by Time Magazine (Asia Edition). It is also the eighth section of the Hong Kong Island Trail, one of Hong Kong's four major hiking trails.
Dragon's Back is located on the south side of Hong Kong Island. It is a mountain road connecting the peaks of Dalanchengding Mountain and Yunzhen Mountain. It is named because the mountains are undulating and staggered, and from a distance it looks like the back of a giant dragon about to take off.
This is also an ideal location to enjoy the east coast of Hong Kong Island, Shek O, Big Wave Bay and other beaches from afar. Standing on the Dragon's Back and gazing into the distance, you can see the water and sky merging into one in the distance. It is a quiet place with few people, so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sea, sky and dense forest in private.
Among them, Shek O Town is a colorful town in the Southern District of Hong Kong, suitable for literary and artistic youths to take photos and relax. It is also the main filming location of "The King of Comedy". Let us start a journey to find the filming location of the movie!
Hong Kong's refreshing "Little Kenting"
Beautiful scenery index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Walking difficulty: ⭐⭐
Tap Mun Island, also known as "Grass Isand", is a tranquil island in Hong Kong located between Tai Chi Mun and Mirs Bay. It is close to Sai Kung East Country Park and is a large green oasis that is a paradise for cattle. It is breathtakingly beautiful!
The island is not crowded and has good security. You can hike around the island and enjoy the 360-degree blue sea view of Ta Men. You can stroll on the wooden boardwalk and take fresh film-blue photos as you walk. You can embrace the oasis on the sea and see free-range cattle everywhere!
Facing east, this spot is also a great place to watch the sunrise, perfect for capturing viral photos. Don't miss the delicious food on Tap Mun Island: non-iced milk tea, salty citrus water, ginger tofu pudding, salt and pepper squid, and sea urchin fried rice – every bite is authentic Hong Kong style!
Go to Hong Kong! Don't just see its bustling, fashionable side; explore the vast countryside that encompasses three-quarters of the city. Reach for the clouds from the mountains, feel the gentle breeze on the beach, and if you're lucky, you might even run into a celebrity hiking—and get an autographed photo!
