Most people think of Hong Kong as a bustling metropolis full of skyscrapers and crowded streets overlooking the harbor, but there is a lot more to this peninsula than meets the eye. So, let’s have a look at some of the best outdoor activities in Hong Kong.
Did you know that Hong Kong is also home to 263 islands which include deserted beaches, lush jungle and untamed wilderness? If you tire of the hustle and bustle of the city, you can soon be swimming in clear waters or hiking one of the challenging nature trails.
I lived in Hong Kong in 2021 and have been visiting since moving to China in 2016. This is one of my favourite places in the world thanks to the mixture of British ad Chinese culture, amazing food and breathtaking nature and wilderness areas.
15 of the Best Outdoor Activities in Hong Kong
1. Try Street Food in Kowloon
One of the best outdoor activities in Hong Kong is to sample the delicious street food on offer. Kowloon is one of the best places to enjoy the city’s vibrant markets and food stalls. Here you’ll get a real taste of Asia that won’t break the bank.
Location: Tsim Sha Tsui (Hankow Road). Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui.
2. Hike Kowloon Peak
Kowloon Peak is the tallest mountain in the New Territories at 603 metres (1,978 feet). Although not a tall mountain, it is a very strenuous hike with some quite dangerous trails (suicide rock is one of the features).
If you are fit and a seasoned hiker, then it’s worth climbing for the incredible views across Kowloon, Hong Kong and the outlying islands. Hiking any of the territory’s trails is a great outdoor activity in Hong Kong.
Location: Nearest MTR: Choi Hung.
More info: Full Guide to Kowloon Peak
3. See the Avenue of Stars & Bruce Lee Statue
The Avenue of Stars is a boardwalk area around Victoria Harbour on the Kowloon side. It offers some great views of the city skyscrapers and harbour, and is home to upmarket shops such as Fortnum and Mason. There are cafes and kiosks along the avenue, and also a statue of one of Hong Kong’s most famous sons; Bruce Lee!
Location: Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui.
4. Take the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour
This is by far the best (and cheapest) way to cross from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island and is worth it just for the harbour views. The famous green and white ferries depart every six or so minutes and the crossing takes less than ten; perfect for getting some great shots of the Hong Kong skyline and peaks in the distance. Definitely one of the top outdoor activities in Hong Kong!
Location: Star Ferry, Pier 7, Man Kwong Street.
Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon) and Hong Kong (Hong Kong Island)
Ticket: $2 one way. Purchase using the machines (change given) or use your Octopus Card.
Journey time: 8 – 10 minutes
Times: Every 6 – 8 minutes from 06:30 to 23:30.
5. Take The Peak Tram to Victoria Peak
Update July 2021: The Peak Tram is currently undergoing renovation and will be closed until January 2022. It is still possible to get to the peak by bus (Number 15/15X from Central Pier 5/Star Ferry Terminal.
One of the best outdoor activities in Hong Kong is to take the peak tram up for sweeping views across the harbour. Hike around the top of the peak for views to the outlying islands and watch the sunset over the South China Sea.
It’s best to go up in the late afternoon to get great daytime views, the sunset and then the Hong Kong skyline at night; one of the best cityscape views in the world. Victoria Peak is one of the most famous landmarks in China!
Tip: Avoid the pricey viewing platform at the top of the shopping complex as you can get the same views for free once you hike around the peak.
Location: Peak Tram Lower Terminus, Cotton Tree Drive.
Bus: Take bus 15C from outside the Star Ferry Terminal (Pier 7) to the lower terminus. You can also take a bus to the top of the peak (bus 15, 40 minutes) or taxi (I took a taxi down and paid $70 to the Star Ferry Terminal).
Cost: A one-way ticket on the tram is $45. If you want to visit the viewing platform on the 5th floor it will cost another $45.
6. Visit Hong Kong Park
Hong Kong Park is a pleasant place to escape the hustle of the city and a nice spot for a picnic. The man-made lake contains an assortment of fish and many turtles that can be seen sunning themselves in big groups on the rocks.
There is also a pleasant café/restaurant within the park (where I had the best sweet and sour pork I have ever tasted) towards Admiralty MTR. A great place to sip a glass of wine under the shade of the palm trees in the heat of the afternoon.
Location: Cotton Tree Drive. Nearest MTR is Admiralty.
Entry: Free
7. Hit the Bars in Soho and the Mid Levels
For the best nightlife, follow the overground walkway from Central to the street escalators at the Mid-levels. Cruise along the escalators until you spot a good bar or restaurant (there are plenty).
8. The Dragon’s Back Hiking Trail
The Dragon’s Back is a nice and easy hike on Hong Kong Island with fantastic views. The trail is well worn (though watch out for the Golden Orb Weaver spiders that spin their webs across the path). You can complete the hike in around two hours, but there are benches and plenty of nice picnic spots along the way.
Take the MTR to Chai Wan (Tsuen Wan Line) and take a bus or taxi to the trailhead at To Tei Wei bus stop.
9. Visit the Stanley Peninsula
Stanley is a pleasant seaside village on the Stanley Peninsula; the southernmost part of Hong Kong Island. It is a haven for outdoor adventures with a popular windsurfing beach and a few easy hiking trails.
On the way from Central to Stanley, you will also pass Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay which are also popular beach areas.
Take bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from Central to the final destination at Stanley.
10. Take a Trip to Cheung Chau Island
Cheung Chau is a beautiful small island close to Lantau and is reachable by ferry from Central. The island is dotted with fishing villages, small beaches and trails. There are many great restaurants here and it gets very busy in summer.
Take the Sun Ferry from Central Pier 5. The journey takes around one hour and costs $15 to $20 one way.
11. Visit Lantau Island
The home of Hong Kong International Airport and Disneyland, Lantau is also a great place to escape the city and get out for some sightseeing, hiking and swimming.
12. The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery
The 34m tall Tian Tan (or ‘Big’) Buddha was built in 1993 and attracts visitors and pilgrims from all over Asia. The nearby Po Lin monastery is a pleasant and colourful sanctuary with lush gardens and wafts of incense carrying on the air. This is a favourite outdoor activity in Hong Kong.
How to get to The Big Buddha
Take the MTR to Tung Chung and then take the cable car across the mountains (25 minutes). If you don’t like heights then you can take bus 23 from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping (45 minutes).
Another option is to take the ferry from Pier 6 in Central to Mai Wo and then bus 2 to Ngong Ping (40 minutes).
13. Visit Silver Mine Bay
Silver Mine Bay boasts a small seaside village (Mui Wo) and a wonderful curved beach with a backdrop of jungle and mountains.
A great place to cool off in summer, but the beach is unpatrolled during the cooler months and advises against swimming when unmanned (sharks have been spotted close to the nets). Ramshackle bars line the beach and make an excellent place to while away a couple of hours gazing out over the bay.
There is a hike up into the jungle you can do which includes a couple of impressive waterfalls, but beware of packs of wild dogs. My second trip hiking up to one of the waterfalls was ruined by these marauding canines and I had to take a considerable detour to avoid four fierce dogs that would not let me pass.
The cave entrance to the abandoned silver mine is not very impressive, but it is en route to the waterfalls so worth a momentary pit stop.
How to get to Mui Wo and Silver Mine Bay
The easiest way is to take a ferry from Central Pier 6 (next to the Star Ferry Pier). There are fast (30 minutes) and slow (60 minutes) boats and if you time the return journey right you will be in for an incredible sunset over the islands.
It’s also possible to take the MTR to Tung Chung and then a bus to Mai Wo, but although the bus ride is very scenic, it takes a lot longer than the ferry and won’t save you much money (but if you are already in Tung Chung after visiting the Big Buddha, it makes a nice round-trip to take the bus to Mui Wo and then a boat back to Central HK).
Ferry cost: Slow boat: $15 and fast boat $30.
14. Climb Sunset Peak
Sunset Peak is the third highest in Hong Kong at 869 metres (2,851 feet) and is named for the incredible views at sunset and sunrise. The trail is moderately difficult and quite steep in parts, but suitable for most people with a basic level of fitness (some scrambling over rocks is required at the start).
Sunset Peak is perfect for picnics and camping!
To get there, take the bus from Tung Chung to the Pak Kung Au bus stop at the trailhead (same as for Lantau Peak).
Here is an excellent guide to hiking Sunset Peak.
15. Hike the Maclehose Trail
One of the most stunning areas of Hong Kong is the Sai Kung East Country Park. This mountainous area is home to some stunning hidden beaches (Sai Wan, Ham Tin Wan, Tai Wan and Tung Wan). Spectacular vistas of small islands, headlands and deserted beaches make this an excellent escape for some good hiking.
Getting to Sai Kung:
Sai Kung is a little off the beaten path and takes a bit more planning to get to, but is totally worth the extra effort.
Take the MTR to Diamond Hill and change then take bus 92 to Sai Kung bus station. Change to bus 94 to Pak Tam Chung Station and walk 5 minutes to the start of the trail (Signposted).
Hong Kong Hotels and Hostels
I have been to Hong Kong many times and stayed in different accommodations across the territory. Here I will give you my top picks!
Hotel Pravo
I lived for two months in the Hotel Pravo which was fantastic for Hong Kong hotels. It is situated on Ashley Street which is full of bars and restaurants (including the excellent Kowloon Taproom). It is a two-minute walk to Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station and a five-minute walk from the Star Ferry Pier.
The rooms are modern, clean and comfortable with great views across to Hong Kong Island. Some of the rooms have the addition of a balcony.
Book Hotel Pravo on Booking.com
The Cove Hostel
A wonderful little guesthouse in the village of Tong Fuk on Lantau Island. The hostel is across from the beautiful Tong Fuk Beach. The rooms are comfortable and clean with views out to sea or to the mountains. A great budget option and perfect for those wishing to explore the quieter and wilder side of Hong Kong.
The Cove Hostel is on the main bus route that goes between western Lantau and both Tung Chung and Mui Wo.
Book the Cove Hostel on Booking.com
Sea Ranch
The Sea Ranch is another hostel run by the same folks as the Cove in Tong Fuk. However, this is a much more secluded option and can only be reached by boat. It has it’s own private beach and depending on when you go, you may have the whole area to yourself to live out that Robinson Cruso fantasy. Highly Recommended.
The only drawback is that, unlike the cove, there are only dormitory beds available. No single or double rooms. Still, it’s worth it for the location.
Boats run to and from Cheung Chau during the day, but you will need to stock up on provisions as once the last boat has gone for the day, there are no other options and there are no shops or restaurants here.
Book Sea Ranch on Booking.com
Dangers around Hong Kong
Beware! A two-meter shark was spotted in Silver Mine Bay in 2016 and although no fatalities have been recorded since 1995, sharks do frequent the waters around Hong Kong. Other dangerous sea life including sea snakes, the blue-ringed octopus and cone shells can also be found around Hong Kong. See this useful leaflet on dangerous marine life from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
Snakes: Hong Kong is home to many species of deadly snake including the Chinese and king cobras, many banded krait and bamboo snake. Take care when walking off the path, and be especially aware at night of the bamboo snake that waits in trees to stalk its prey and has been known to bite passers-by.
Hong Kong has over 25,000 wild dogs and some of these may carry rabies. Even animals without the disease are capable of inflicting fatal bites so be wary when passing through small villages off the beaten path.
Getting to Hong Kong:
Most visitors will arrive at Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island to the northeast of central Hong Kong. The airport is a major international hub (in fact the world’s eighth busiest) and services many prominent worldwide destinations.
From Hong Kong International Airport
Train: The Airport Express is one of the easiest ways to get to Kowloon or Hong Kong taking under 30 minutes. An adult ticket costs $115 ($110 with an Octopus Card) and a child fare is $57.50 ($55.00 with Octopus). For full fare information and departure times, see the Hong Kong Airport website.
Bus: Over 20 public buses depart from Hong Kong International stopping all over the city. See the timetable for more information.
Taxi: Taxi fares from the airport are around $400 to central Hong Kong.
From mainland China (Shenzhen)
If travelling from mainland China, most people will arrive at Shenzhen North Rail Station as it is the high-speed rail link to the rest of the People’s Republic. Read my guide on how to buy train tickets in China.
MTR: By far the quickest and easiest way into Hong Kong is by using the MTR. Exit Shenzhen North and follow signs for the MTR (in English and Chinese). Take the red line to Futian Checkpoint where you will need to go through customs and immigration before boarding another train bound for Kowloon.
From Kowloon
Star Ferry: From Kowloon, it is an 8-minute ferry ride across Victoria Harbour to Central Hong Kong. The cost is $2.
MTR: Kowloon to Hong Kong is one stop on the orange or blue line.
Looking for more great cities in Asia? Check out this great guide of 8 Cities to visit in the Far East!
Octopus Card
If you are spending any more than a couple of hours in Hong Kong it pays to get an Octopus card which can be used on the MTR, buses, Star Ferries, the peak tram, shops, kiosks and some attractions. As well as cheaper fares, it usually means avoiding queues at some of the top attractions like Victoria Peak. You can purchase the card at any MTR station.
See the Octopus website for more information.
Now you know about the best outdoor activities in Hong Kong, which one will you try first? This is one of my favourite places on earth and having lived there in 2021, I can’t wait to get back and hit the territory’s beaches, hiking trails and street food stands.
About the author:
Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
Steve prefers “slow travel” and has covered much of the world by train, bus and boat. He has been interviewed multiple times by the BBC and recently featured in the documentary Scariest Places in the World. See the About page for more info.
Where I am now: Yerevan, Armenia 🇦🇲