Discover Hong Kong: Nature, Culture and Harbour Views

About 40 percent of Hong Kong’s land area is made up of Country Parks and Special Areas. They serve nature conservation, recreation and environmental education. These areas offer a distinctive starting point for a trip where hiking trails and nature can play as much of a role as museums, coastal views and harbour traffic. This is one way to experience Hong Kong through a wide range of activities.

Hiking trails and protected nature

The Hong Kong Trail is 50 kilometres long and crosses all five Country Parks on Hong Kong Island. The MacLehose Trail is 100 kilometres long. These distances offer a concrete reference point when weighing up the scope of your hiking plans. At Dragon’s Back, panoramic views of the landscape and the coast of Shek O Wan take centre stage; the trail ends at Big Wave Bay Beach.

Cheung Sha Beach on Lantau Island offers another coastal setting. It is considered Hong Kong’s longest beach and one of its cleanest. If you are interested in wetlands, Hong Kong Wetland Park has a Wetland Reserve with habitats specially designed for waterbirds. The public “Wetland Reserve” guided tour lasts about 45 minutes and takes place outdoors. As programme details may change, it is best to check them before your visit.

Art, culture and history

Founded in 1962, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is the city’s first public art museum. M+ in the West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest museums for modern and contemporary visual culture. Tai Kwun offers a different way to explore history, art and culture: the former Central Police Station Compound was revitalised as a Centre for Heritage and Arts and offers a wide range of programmes and activities.

The Peak also combines a specific viewpoint with a distinctive mode of transport. This major attraction can be reached by the Peak Tram and offers panoramic views of the city skyline. The Peak Tram is considered Hong Kong’s most historic public transport. On Lantau Island, the Big Buddha is a landmark reached by climbing more than 200 steps.

Harbour, village life and practical tips

The green-and-white Star Ferry crosses Victoria Harbour and connects piers in Tsim Sha Tsui, Wan Chai and Central. The harbour is also in the spotlight during the Dragon Boat Festival, which features colourful dragon boat races against the backdrop of the Victoria Harbour skyline. For a different waterside perspective, take the Tai O Promenade, an approximately 15-minute walk along the water that highlights traditional aspects of Tai O village. Shops selling local specialities can be found along the promenade.

You can use a digital or physical Octopus card for public transport and other expenses. It enables cashless payments on all major public transport, as well as for dining, entertainment, shopping and other expenses. The different experiences offer a range of highlights, from longer hiking trails and museums to harbour views and a short waterside stroll. If you are looking for a hotel in Hong Kong, first consider which of these aspects of the trip matter most to your stay.

Two activities with stated durations can also help with planning your day: the Tai O Promenade is an approximately 15-minute walk, while the Wetland Reserve guided tour lasts about 45 minutes. These timings help you distinguish a walk from a guided nature experience in your itinerary; the hiking trails, by contrast, are described by their distances.

Discover more destinations: Yuen Long, Hong Kong, Tung Chung, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Aberdeen Harbour, Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, Lamma Island, New Territories.

See the main travel overview: Asia.