Think about Hong Kong and the first images to come to mind might be its signature architecture. There is the soaring glassy surface of the International Commerce Centre — the city’s tallest skyscraper — the terracotta clad museum M+, and the lattice-like exterior of the Tai Kwun complex.
But there is another side to this world-class city, one where the colours and shapes of nature dominate the landscape. Just a stone’s throw from its cosmopolitan urban centres are natural wonders and outdoor activities waiting to be experienced.
In fact, about 75 per cent of Hong Kong is considered rural or countryside, including trail-crossed mountains, bird-filled woodlands and relaxing beaches lapped by the warm waters of the South China Sea. Here are three off-the-beaten path island paradises — the city’s secret gems —waiting for you to explore.
Lantau Island
While most visitors will travel along a portion of Lantau Island on their way from Hong Kong International Airport to the building-filled city centre, this mountainous island at the mouth of the Pearl River is an outdoor paradise waiting to really be discovered.
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Lantau’s biggest attraction — and island resident — is the 34-metre-high Big Budha, a.k.a. the Tian Tan Buddha, which sits in a meditative pose on a scenic hilltop. You can take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to get there, where you also will climb nearly 270 steps to the base of the statue. Not far away is the Wisdom Path, a series of 38 wooden steles engraved covered in verses from the Heart Sutra, a centuries’ old Buddhist text that you can contemplate while you stroll among them.
The island is also home to the Lantau Trail, which features 70-kilometres of pathways criss-crossing their way across hills and mountains — including to Sunset peak, the third-highest point in Hong Kong at 869 metres. In some nature-filled sections, you will feel world away from the city, only to discover that it is closer than you think thanks to several of the trail’s memorable viewpoints of downtown.
GETTING THERE: Several ferries depart for locations on Lantau from Hong Kong island. Mass Transit Railway (MTR) trains also service locations on the island, where buses operate. Travel times to the island can range from 20 to 45 minutes.
Cheung Chau
A small island that only covers three square kilometres, Cheung Chau is located south of Lantau Island and west of downtown and is known for its spectacular views and charming communities.
Start your visit by heading to the Pak Tai Temple, one of the oldest temples in the city. Its roots date to the late 1800s, when it was built in honour of the Taoist God of the Sea, Pak Tai. From the temple, stroll along the Cheung Chau Family Walk to the highest point on the island, which is home to the North Lookout that offers Instagram-worthy, picture-perfect views. From here, the path winds back down to hills through some forested areas.
After your hike, take a rest on the crescent-shaped Tung Wan beach, which is known for its good water quality if your feel like heading in for a dip. A short walk away along the coast are a series of rocks etched with Bronze age geometric hieroglyphs. Kwun Yam Beach is next on your excursion and is home to rental locations where you can try activities like windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding.
And don’t leave Cheung Chau without visiting the Mini Great Wall, an 850-metre-long paved trail popular with bird watchers that hugs the coastline and takes you past interesting rock formations that resemble different objects and animals.
GETTING THERE: Ferries for Cheung Chau depart from Central with the trip taking between 35 to 60 minutes.
Lamma Island
Definitely off the beaten path for most visitors, Lamma Island is nestled on the waters on the southern side of Hong Kong Island. The third largest island in the city, it is home to laid-back locals looking for an escape from the city’s daily bustle.
Begin with a stroll along the five-kilometre-long Lamma Island Family Trail, located on the island’s northern shore. Tree-shaded pathways will guide you to scenic lookout points like Pak Kok Shan, with views of Lamma Island, and Pak Kok Kau Tsuen and its stunning vista of the southern side of Hong Kong. Several homes along the path have flower-filled gardens abutting the trail, offering an aromatic accompaniment to your walk. Be sure to also take the detour up the islands peak to Lamma Winds, an impressive wind turbine which is also a local landmark.
Follow your hike by exploring the fishing villages of Sok Kwu Wan or Yung Shue Wan, where you will find stores selling local arts and crafts and freshly-caught seafood or stake out a spot and relax on the sand at the curving Hung Shing Yeh Beach — an ideal spot to watch the sunset over this beautiful corner of Asia.
GETTING THERE: Ferries depart for the community of Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island from Central and Aberdeen, with the trip taking between 30 and 40 minutes.
Learn more about the outdoor adventures waiting to be discovered in Hong Kong by visiting .
