Tuen Mun Castle Peak Guide: A Healing Journey from a Millennium-Old Temple to Mountain and Sea Sunsets

✨Reasons to Choose Tuen Mun Castle Peak
As the highest peak in western Hong Kong (583 meters), Tuen Mun Castle Peak features the classic "Cup-Ling Double Crossing" route. Here, you can visit the millennium-old Castle Peak Monastery, admire the red walls and golden Buddha statues, and overlook the magnificent sunset over Shenzhen Bay along the ridge line. The route is moderately difficult, suitable for both hiking beginners and seasoned enthusiasts, making it an ideal choice to escape the urban hustle on weekends.

🌟Detailed Hiking Guide

🚇Transportation Route

• Starting Point: Exit A of MTR Tuen Mun Station, about a 2-kilometer walk to Castle Peak Monastery (clear signposts along the way).

• Full Route: Choose the complete "Cup-Ling Double Crossing" route (from Castle Peak Temple to Ling Du Temple, approximately 15 kilometers). At the end, take bus route 53 back to the city.

🌅Three Must-Visit Attractions

1. Castle Peak Monastery · Millennium Buddha Realm
As one of Hong Kong’s oldest temples, Castle Peak Monastery houses the three-story Wan Fo Treasure Hall, with golden dragons perched on red walls and a thousand golden Buddha statues shining inside. The temple’s stele forest preserves inscriptions from generations of scholars, showcasing profound cultural heritage and perfectly blending humanistic and religious landscapes.

2. Ridge Viewing Platform · Panoramic View of Shenzhen Bay
Hike about 1.5 hours to the mid-mountain viewing platform, where on clear days you can see the Shenzhen Bay Cross-Sea Bridge. At dusk, the sunset dyes the sea in brilliant colors, creating a picturesque scene that is a favorite spot for photography enthusiasts.

3. Miaofa Temple Glass Lotus Hall · Modern Zen Space
After descending, visit the nearby new building of Miaofa Temple. Its top-floor Glass Lotus Hall features a transparent design that creates a pure atmosphere. As the sunset shines through the glass, the interplay of light and shadow offers a highly artistic visual experience.

🧗‍♀️Hiking Tips

• Equipment Recommendations: Wear non-slip shoes (some sections have loose stones), bring 1.5L of drinking water and energy snacks (no supply points along the way), and take sun protection measures.

• Safety Tips: It is recommended to hike in groups and avoid hiking during thunderstorms.

• Dining Recommendations: After the hike, head to San Sheng Market to enjoy fresh seafood. Signature dishes include freshly caught sea crab and stir-fried clams with black bean sauce, offering great value for money.

📸Photography Tips

• Castle Peak Monastery Red Walls: Use stone elephants as the foreground to shoot the ancient architecture against the sky, paired with captions like "A Millennia-Long Mountain and Sea Cultivation," highlighting the historical depth.

• Ridge Sunset: Sit on the rocks with your back to the sunset, use your phone’s wide-angle mode to capture the extending ridge line. The "Xingtu·Little Kenting" filter is recommended to enhance image quality.

• Glass Lotus Hall Light and Shadow: In the evening, stand in the center of the Lotus Hall and use the sunset light spots passing through the glass to create a dreamy atmosphere.

📅Best Time to Visit
It is recommended to start before 2 PM to avoid the midday heat and enjoy the stunning sunset at the summit between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM. From November to February, during autumn and winter, you may also encounter beautiful red foliage.

“The mountain’s height is not important; it is sacred with an ancient temple; the path’s danger is not important; it is beautiful with a sunset.” On weekends, bring your gear and camera, and embark on a unique journey blending nature and culture at Tuen Mun Castle Peak.