Unexpected Hong Kong: Beaches, Peaks and Quiet Corners to Explore
- Andrew
- Jan 9
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 10
Crystal clear water, deserted white sand beaches, and green forested mountains: if I said these three things, one of the last countries to come to mind would be Hong Kong. However, this small semi-autonomous Chinese city offers all of this and more for travellers who love the outdoors. The financial hub is known for its towering skyscrapers- more than any other city in the world- glittering waterfront and luxury fashion boutiques, but only 15% of the land area is actually built up, leaving swathes of beautiful countryside and coastline to explore.
I visited in January 2025 for business and was apprehensive as I do not usually enjoy large urban areas, however, I soon discovered so many beautiful places that Hong Kong is now one of my favourites cities. Another wonderful thing about Hong Kong is the reliable and extensive public transport network, and all of the places I mention here can be easily accessed by bus, train, ferry or even cable car!
Hong Kong can become very hot and humid in the summer months, but the winter is cooler and drier with daily highs of around 20-25°c which is ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities.
Although Hong Kong is packed with incredible things to see and do in the city, I’ve focused this blog on experiences for those who love nature and the outdoors. With that in mind, here are my top places to visit in Hong Kong.
Victoria Peak
The quintessential view of Hong Kong, this green peak looms over Central Hong Kong on Hong Kong Island. The best way to get to the top is by tram, with the views getting better and better as it climbs steeply uphill through the city. Once you reach the top, the skyscrapers which once towered above are now far below, and the view over the city and the glistening water of Victoria Harbour is unmatched for urban views anywhere in the world. The main viewpoint is always very busy, but walk a few hundred yards and it will be much quieter. There are miles of paths around the Peak, and walkers are rewarded with lots of viewpoints, each one with a unique and breathtaking perspective. Victoria Peak Garden is well worth visiting for a tranquil green oasis surrounded by forest at the top of the peak.
Kam Shan Country Park
Just a short bus ride from Tsim Sha Tsui, this country park is known for its wild macaque population, which will greet you almost as soon as you’ve left the bus stop. They might look cute, but they can be aggressive especially if they think you have food, so don’t take any snacks or plastic bags or they will try to take it! Apart from the monkeys, the country park is a beautiful expanse of wooded green hills around several man-made reservoirs. Like most places in Hong Kong, there are lots of well-marked walking trails through the forest and around the reservoirs. For the best vistas, head across the road to the Eagle’s Nest Nature Trail.
Repulse Bay
One of the most easily-accessible beaches in Hong Kong, Repulse Bay has the vibe of an English seaside town- families play with buckets and spades in the sand, teenagers gather and listen to the latest music on Bluetooth speakers, and older couples stroll along the promenade. The bay itself is beautiful: the beach a clean expanse of golden sand with groups of trees planted to provide shade, surrounded by forested hills and islands. There are plenty of beach-front cafes and restaurants, and at the eastern end of the beach there is a large group of traditional Buddhist shrines. For those who desire a quieter beach experience, stroll along the coast to Middle Bay and South Bay.
Lamma Island
Lamma Island is where Hong Kongers retreat to escape the city at weekends. A laid-back and car-free island, it is just 40 minutes away from Central by ferry, but feels like a world apart. On disembarking at Yung Shue Wan pier, you’ll find yourself in a peaceful fishing harbour lined with seafood restaurants and shops selling fish. There are walking trails all over the island, but the route I took was signposted Family Walk. It’s an absolutely beautiful route, passing right across the island through lush greenery with views of sparkling blue coves and golden sand beaches. Incredibly, these beaches were all deserted when I visited mid-week. Apart from a power station on the north-western side of the island, it is almost entirely unspoilt, with only a few tiny settlements outside of the main village of Sha Po. I followed the trail all the way to Shek Pai Wan Beach which is a crescent-shaped white sand beach with crystal-clear shallow water, ideal for swimming. To return to the city, I walked to Mo Tat Pier, which is an interesting walk through tiny rural settlements and lush banana plantations. The ferry from Mo Tat Pier goes to Aberdeen on Hong Kong Island and it’s much smaller than the main ferry and mainly used by local fishermen- I think I was the only tourist on there! One thing to note is that only cash can be used to pay for these ferries.
Lantau Island
The biggest of Hong Kong’s islands, Lantau is know as the location of Disneyland Hong Kong as well as the city’s airport on reclaimed land just offshore. However, don’t let this put you off as most of the island is an unspoilt landscape of mountains, forest and rocky coastline with only small rural settlements. The best way to travel there is by metro and then the Ngong Ping 360, which is a 5.7km cable car ride to Ngong Ping. I would not recommend this if you don’t like heights but there are stunning views the whole way up! Ngong Ping is a charming village in the mountains, home to the Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. It feels far removed from the city, with cows wandering around, monks performing their daily rituals and crisp mountain air. The Monastery is a beautiful traditional building with intricately carved and painted decoration, but the most famous feature is of course the Big Buddha. Completed in 1993, it is reached by climbing a flight of 268 steps and it is a very impressive sight. Visitors are rewarded at the top of the steps with far-reaching views of the surrounding mountains and the Monastery nestled below. Apart from Ngong Ping itself, Lantau Island is also crisscrossed with scenic walking trails leading through the forest to clear waterfalls, sandy beaches and rocky ridges.
Chi Lin Nunnery
The Chi Lin Nunnery and the attached Nan Lian Garden are a serene respite from city life, just a 5-minute walk from Diamond Hill metro station and free to enter. Laid out in traditional Chinese style, the Nan Lian garden is not large but it is a tranquil space in the heart of the city, with windings pathways, mirror-like ponds and perfectly trimmed grass and trees. The Nunnery can be reached by a bridge across the road, and although it was only built in the 1930s, the wooden buildings are in stark contract to the nearby modern tower blocks. The central courtyard contains still ponds studded with lotus flowers, meticulously trimmed bonsai trees and stone statues. Around the perimeter in the covered walkway there are quotes from Buddha displayed. Impressively, not a single nail was used in the construction of the building- instead it was made from interlocking cypress beams.
A Symphony of Lights
This is the only activity in the city centre that I have mentioned here, but I made an exception because it is one of the highlights of a visit to Hong Kong. The Symphony of Lights takes place every evening at 8pm, when the harbour front comes alive with a free-to-watch light and sound show. The music was recorded by the Hong Kong Symphony orchestra and is played from speakers along the waterfront, with a different theme every day. The skyscrapers and other buildings around the harbour are fitted with LED screens and lasers provide a light display in rhythm with the music, and it now has the record for the longest-running display of its kind, having started in 2004. The best place to view it is from Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront near the Avenue of Stars, or from the ferries and other boat trips across the harbour.
Other Recommendations
Apart from the places mentioned above, local people also recommended Sai Kung East Country Park for the most beautiful beaches at Ham Tin and Tai Wan. With the journey taking over two hours from the city, I couldn’t fit it in this time but it’s firmly on my list for the future.
I’d also recommend hopping on the Star Ferry for unbeatable views of the harbour, and if your timing allows, an evening at Happy Valley Racecourse. It’s a wonderfully surreal blend of old and new: a very British tradition set against a backdrop of soaring apartment towers.
Hong Kong is a city that never stops surprising you- there’s always another corner to uncover, another experience waiting around the next bend. The best advice I can give is simply to go and explore, there truly is something here for everyone.
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