Southwestern Highlands
The windswept rhododendron covered highlands at the southwestern end of Lantau Island is one of the least visited parts of Hong Kong. It is
a bit of a journey to get there and the hike itself is relatively long, but this is a truly wonderful day out where you will explore an area that is
foreign to most locals...
Going first by ferry and then by bus, we finally get to stretch our legs when we reach the dam at Shek Pik Reservoir. At first we walk along a
gently climbing concrete catchwater for about an hour while enjoying the views over the So Ko Islands.
As if to make up for this gentle intro, our path starts climbing the moment we leave the concrete. However, rather than mounting the usual
steps so common to Hong Kong, our climb is more of a "slopy" nature and the panoramic views offered at Fan Lau Teng and all the way up
Tai Hom Sham are absolutely magnificent.
At first we look down at the interesting historical village of Fan Lau trying to make out the Ming dynasty fort and the Tin Hau Temple. As we
climb higher and higher, the many islands in the Pearl River delta comes into view. On a clear day we should even be able to make out the
new Venetian Hotel and Casino over in Macau...
As we reach the highland plateau between Tai Hom Sham and Ling Wui Shan, you could be excused for thinking that you have somehow been
transported to the Scottish highlands... This illusion, however, is somewhat shattered when we come across the Flying Dragon that guards
the Tsz Hing Monastery...
The descent from the plateau to Nga Ying Kok does involve a rather long and steep flight of stone steps, so we might suffer from rather weary
knees when we walk into Hong Kong's most western settlement, Tai O. Fortunately, this popular fishing village that is sold by the Hong Kong
Tourist Board as “The Venice of Hong Kong” due to its houses built on stilts, holds so many sights of interest that you will quickly forget the
pain in your legs.
We will take a good look around Tai O, exploring its temples and unique houses, before making our way back to the city by bus and subway.
The windswept rhododendron covered highlands at the southwestern end of Lantau Island is one of the least visited parts of Hong Kong. It is
a bit of a journey to get there and the hike itself is relatively long, but this is a truly wonderful day out where you will explore an area that is
foreign to most locals...
Going first by ferry and then by bus, we finally get to stretch our legs when we reach the dam at Shek Pik Reservoir. At first we walk along a
gently climbing concrete catchwater for about an hour while enjoying the views over the So Ko Islands.
As if to make up for this gentle intro, our path starts climbing the moment we leave the concrete. However, rather than mounting the usual
steps so common to Hong Kong, our climb is more of a "slopy" nature and the panoramic views offered at Fan Lau Teng and all the way up
Tai Hom Sham are absolutely magnificent.
At first we look down at the interesting historical village of Fan Lau trying to make out the Ming dynasty fort and the Tin Hau Temple. As we
climb higher and higher, the many islands in the Pearl River delta comes into view. On a clear day we should even be able to make out the
new Venetian Hotel and Casino over in Macau...
As we reach the highland plateau between Tai Hom Sham and Ling Wui Shan, you could be excused for thinking that you have somehow been
transported to the Scottish highlands... This illusion, however, is somewhat shattered when we come across the Flying Dragon that guards
the Tsz Hing Monastery...
The descent from the plateau to Nga Ying Kok does involve a rather long and steep flight of stone steps, so we might suffer from rather weary
knees when we walk into Hong Kong's most western settlement, Tai O. Fortunately, this popular fishing village that is sold by the Hong Kong
Tourist Board as “The Venice of Hong Kong” due to its houses built on stilts, holds so many sights of interest that you will quickly forget the
pain in your legs.
We will take a good look around Tai O, exploring its temples and unique houses, before making our way back to the city by bus and subway.
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