Hong Kong is likely one of the world’s nice city playgrounds, however this place has one other facet to its character past the gleaming skyscrapers and procuring malls.
Three quarters of the territory is inexperienced, dotted with climbing trails and secluded seashores, to not point out dozens of outlying islands bobbing within the South China Sea, some simply a straightforward ferry journey away. With the mainland megacities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou linked to central Hong Kong by high-speed practice, the chances for wider exploration are huge.
Listed here are eight of the perfect one-day excursions to boost your subsequent Hong Kong journey.
Take a cable automobile to Po Lin Monastery and the Large Buddha
Journey time: 1 hour, half-hour
A pilgrimage to the serene Tian Tan Buddha within the lush hills of Lantau is necessary for Hong Kong newbies. Clocking in at 34m (111ft) excessive (podium included), this bronze icon faces the Po Lin Monastery, a sprawling Buddhist advanced linked to Tung Chung (the primary city on Lantau) by cable automobile. The scenic 5.7km (3.5-mile) journey presents sweeping views of Tung Chung Bay and, for plane-spotters, the bustle of Hong Kong Airport.
get to Po Lin Monastery from Central: Trip the MTR from Hong Kong station to Tung Chung (35 minutes) after which take the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Automobile for the ultimate leg of the journey (25 minutes). You may also take the ferry to Mui Wo after which get Bus No. 2.
Admire Hong Kong’s final remaining stilt homes at Tai O
Journey time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Traditionally the house of the Tanka boat folks, the fishing village of Tai O is an atmospheric maze of again alleys and avenue markets, however its huge draw is a photogenic cluster of conventional stilt homes teetering over the water, some with a historical past spanning again 200 years. To increase your journey, contemplate an evening’s keep on the boutique-styled Tai O Heritage Resort, housed in a transformed police station in-built 1902.
get to Tai O from Central: Trip the MTR from Hong Kong station to Tung Chung (33 minutes) after which take Bus No. 11 to Tai O (1 hour). In any other case, take the ferry to Mui Wo after which change to Bus No. 1.
Hang around on Lamma, Hong Kong’s hippy island
Journey time: half-hour
With its hidden seashores, car-free paths and countercultural vibes, laidback Lamma Island is the right tonic for when the hustle of Hong Kong will get an excessive amount of. Yung Shue Wan is the primary village, with cafes, vegetarian eating places and new-age outlets aplenty. Throughout the island at Sok Kwu Wan, take your choose from a string of seafood eating places serving dishes like steamed entire grouper or fried clams with black bean sauce.
get to Lamma Island from Central: Take a ferry from Central’s Outlying Islands ferry terminal (pier 4) to both Yung Shue Wan pier or Sok Kwu Wan pier.
Discover the Portuguese heritage of Macau
Journey time: 1 hour, half-hour
Macau is likely to be often called China’s Las Vegas for its casinos, however the island was a Portuguese colony for 300 years and retains pockets of European colonial structure. Admire the ruins of the Church of St Paul, a Seventeenth-century cathedral, graze on Portuguese custard tarts within the previous city middle after which journey the cable automobile as much as Guia Fortress, a historic army advanced containing China’s first lighthouse and a chapel constructed by Portuguese nuns.
get to Macau from Central: Take the MTR one cease to Sheung Wan after which catch a high-speed ferry from the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal to the Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal (1 hour).
Trip the bullet practice to mainland China
Journey time: 45 minutes
Exterior of pandemic management intervals, the Chinese language megacity of Shenzhen is simply minutes away from Hong Kong by bullet practice. Past the bragging rights of creating it to the mainland, Shenzhen presents guests dazzling fashionable structure; a thriving arts, procuring and eating scene; and a few deliciously retro theme parks. Better of all, you possibly can choose up a brief visa on the border crossing with minimal fuss, although you’re not permitted to journey past the Shenzhen Particular Financial Zone.
get to Shenzhen from Central: Take the MTR to West Kowloon station, undergo immigration after which catch the high-speed practice to Futian Station (14 minutes). When you want a visa, journey the MTR to the Luohu border crossing as a substitute (1 hour) and get a five-day visa on arrival on the spot.
Marvel on the otherworldly surroundings of Hong Kong World Geopark
Journey time: 2 hours
Hong Kong World Geopark, a Unesco-listed pure playground, is dwelling to gorgeous and surreal volcanic rock columns and sea caves – assume Northern Eire’s Large’s Causeway however yellower. Tour operators run boat, kayak and SUP excursions into the Geopark, however you may also make a journey to the East Dam Reservoir and stand up shut with out leaving dry land. The Volcano Discovery Centre in Sai Kung advises on the perfect methods to discover.
get to Hong Kong World Geopark from Central: Take the MTR to Choi Hung station (half-hour) after which take Hong Kong Inexperienced Minibus No. 1 to Sai Kung Pier and the Geopark Volcano Discovery Centre (35 minutes).
Go temple and seashore hopping on Cheung Chau island
Journey time: 1 hour
With its white-sand seashores, tumbledown villages and Taoist temples, Cheung Chau Island makes a pleasant day journey from central Hong Kong. Remember to hike or bike your option to the island’s southwestern nook to relax by the Reclining Rocks, picnic non-compulsory. The normally tranquil island packs out every year for the Cheung Chau Bun Competition, a spectacular occasion of parades, “floating youngsters” and a race up bamboo towers to grab the sacred bun.
get to Cheung Chau from Central: Take a ferry from Central’s Outlying Islands ferry terminal (pier 5), both common (1 hour) or quick (40 minutes).
Hike and swim in unspoiled Sai Kung
Journey time: 2 hours
One of many final havens left in Hong Kong for hikers and swimmers, Sai Kung presents trails via pristine surroundings to secluded coves and picture-perfect seashores. The Tai Lengthy Wan Mountain climbing Path passes 4 beautiful seashores with some steep climbs and delightful views alongside the route. You will discover eating spots at Sai Wan and Ham Tin seashores, and it’s even potential to camp on the sand, or you possibly can head again to Sai Kung City by speedboat and have dinner on the waterfront.
get to Sai Kung from Central: Trip the MTR to Choi Hung station (half-hour) after which take Hong Kong Inexperienced Minibus No. 1 to Sai Kung Pier (35 minutes). Take a taxi to the East Dam of Excessive Island Reservoir (half-hour) for the complete hike or get a taxi to Sai Wan Pavilion for a one-hour hike to the seashore.
