Don’t read this itinerary if you’re looking for standard tourist attractions in Hong Kong — this is not it.

In fact, if you had any previously held notions of Hong Kong as a mere ‘bustling city’, you might find this Hong Kong itinerary a little startling. But this is a great chance to venture off the beaten path. Follow us on a 5D4N outdoor adventure to a side of Hong Kong that few tourists get to experience.

This time, we’ll be trading Hong Kong’s Disneyland and other famous must-sees, for hidden gems beyond city lights. From the vibrantly rustic charms of Cheung Chau Island to beach-hopping at Sai Kung for panoramic viewpoints to conquering Hong Kong’s highest peak at Tai Mo Shan — we’re exploring everything nature has to offer in Hong Kong and its outdoor activities.

The best part? We didn’t have to share our moments of wonder with hordes of tourists.

Pre-trip Essentials

Drone shot of three friends on a beach in Hong Kong - Hong Kong Itinerary

Brace yourselves for stunning drone shots peppered throughout this article — courtesy of Jec.

Travel insurance: Be sure to get travel insurance which covers adventurous activities and overseas medical expenses!

Connectivity: Pre-book your eSIM (2GB daily for 5 days) — QR code delivered via email. Check if your device is compatible with an e-SIM beforehand!

Getting around: Renting a private car charter is an efficient way to get around the city. Hong Kong is especially known for its Tesla-dominated roads so there’s a high chance that you’ll get to ride in one — an especially cushy way to travel around!

If you’re looking for something more affordable, Octopus cards will be your best friend (Octopus cards are stored-value smart cards for making electronic payments and are commonly used for the MTR too).

Just pre-order them online and collect them in Hong Kong from the various redemption points listed — such as the Hong Kong International Airport Arrivals Area Counter A13 (8AM – 9PM). Alternatively, if your flight arrives anytime before or after the opening times, you could just buy the Octopus cards when you land (the airport 7-Elevens are open 24hrs).

Packing essentials: Pack hiking shoes for the various terrains you’ll be scaling, and slippers for beach days. Hats, sunscreen and aloe vera gel will also help in preventing sunburns. Bring along hiking sticks if you feel that the added assistance will help.

Day 1 – 2: Cheung Chau Island

Woman standing in front of Central Ferry Pier No.5

After landing in Hong Kong, we headed to the first stop in our itinerary — Cheung Chau Island. The island is known for hiking trails, beautiful beaches, and delicious seafood.

We wanted to skip the pains of navigating the cab system and carrying our heavy luggage onto the public transport, and hence pre-booked airport transfer from the airport to Central Ferry Pier No.5, which provided a comfortable and hassle-free experience.

From Central Ferry Pier No.5, we took a 30-minute ferry ride to Cheung Chau. There are 43 ferry rides/day from Mon to Sat and 39 ferry rides/day on Sun and public holidays, and you can use your Octopus card to tap into the ferry’s gantry.

Checking in at Saiyuen Camping Adventure Park

Woman walking down a picturesque path in Sai Yuen - Hong Kong Itinerary

You’ll feel like the main character of a coming-of-age movie at every turn in Cheung Chau.

Saiyuen Camping Adventure Park Hong Kong offers unique glamping experiences and activities such as tree-top canopy walks, bubble waffle making, archery combat, and more. It would also be our accommodation for the next two nights.

Lady looking out of Saiyuen's Stargazing Geodesic Dome in the day, at the sea and nature that surrounds it

The Stargazing Geodesic Dome has two comfy double beds, air-conditioning and a hair dryer in their toilet cubicle. This made the stay feel very comfortable and modern, allowing for the best of both worlds — we enjoyed the view overlooking the vast sea without compromising on the comforts of home. It was an unforgettable experience that seamlessly blended the wonders of nature with the luxuries of contemporary living.

Goats gazing in front of a coloured road in Saiyuen

Did we also mention that Saiyuen’s goats free-roam daily to graze from morning to lunchtime? That, together with their fish farms and gardens, truly cemented the outdoor experience for me.

*Pro-tip: Bring USB-C wires! The accommodation offers many USB-C ports to charge your gadgets but no three-hole sockets in the tent itself. Although, you can find some power sockets in the BBQ area.

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Cost: ~S$450/night for 4 pax
How to get there: 24min walk from Cheung Chau Pier (Google Maps)

Breakfast at Sai Yuen

Saiyuen offers complimentary breakfast from 9:30AM – 11AM.

We had our first meal in Saiyuen where there was a humble but filling spread of breakfast options, such as toast and granola, with beverages like milk and hot coffee. The free packet of microwavable dim sum also earned huge brownie points from us!

Hong Kong Egglet making at Saiyuen

Bubble Waffle Making at Sai Yuen

Shai was a natural (do not look at the burnt bits on her right).

If you prefer making your own breakfast, Saiyuen also has a bubble waffle workshop from 11AM – 12:45PM for HK$180. Learning how to cook up local dishes is always a quick way to better understand and learn more about another culture, so this activity was something we thoroughly enjoyed in our Hong Kong itinerary — burnt waffles and all.

Two girls being taught archery in Saiyuen - Hong Kong Itinerary

Saiyuen also has an activities timetable for guests to sign up for additional outdoorsy, Hong Kong-centric activities. We tried out the Saiyuen Barrier Archery Combat for ~HK$600/45min session, where the instructor taught us the basics of archery as well as different 2v2 ‘battle royale’ formats to battle it out with.

*Pro-tip: Email [email protected] to pre-book your activities at least a week before your stay to secure your slots, and double check your pre-booked activities’ timings with the reception just to be sure, as their timetable is subject to changes.

Exploring Cheung Po Tsai Cave

Lady standing at the opening of the Cheung Po Tsai Cave - Hong Kong Itinerary

The red markings point down to the cave’s entrance.

Having explored most of Saiyuen, we wasted no time in embarking on our hike up to Cheung Po Tsai Cave. Legend has it that in the 19th century, a pirate named Cheung Po Tsai once used this cave as his hiding place for treasures.

The hike to the cave wasn’t too steep and we could get to the other end within minutes. But without spoiling it for you — I must say that the other side opens up to something worth squeezing through the cave for.

*Pro-tip: Be sure to bring a headlamp along as the cave becomes pitch black once you head down the ladder. If not, go with some friends and take turns to shine your phone’s torchlight to ensure your safety while exploring.

Duration: 15min
Difficulty: Easy, just remember to have ample light while going down the cave
How to get there: 8min walk from Saiyuen (Google Maps)

Exploring San Hing Street and Pak She Street

Lotus filled pastry held up in front of the Kwok Kam Kee Shop

If there’s only one thing you should know about Cheung Chau — it is that the island is renowned for its annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival. At midnight during this late April/May event, daring participants climb “bun mountains,” snatching buns for luck. We visited Kwok Kam Kee, the oldest bakery which produces 30,000 buns during the festival.

Lotus Paste Flakey Bun

Needless to say, the Lotus Paste Flakey Bun we bought from them tasted amazing, with the welcome surprise of a salted egg centre. Trying out Cheung Chau’s lucky buns and its other pastries is a must-add to your Hong Kong itinerary.

Cost: ~HK$7 – HK$30/pastry
Opening hours: 8AM – 7PM, closed on Tues
How to get there: 5min walk from Cheung Chau Pier (Google Maps)

Pork and instant noodles at Heng Mei Restaurant (恒美菜館) in Cheung Chau Island

We chanced upon Heng Mei Restaurant (恒美菜館) and decided to give it a go. The noodle, pork and egg combo satisfied us heartily — giving us a welcome introduction to the culinary delights that would follow in our time here.

Curry fishballs, Mango Mochi

Get the best of both savoury and sweet snacks.

We also tried Cheung Chau’s renowned curry fishball and mango mochi. While the noodles we had at Heng Mei Restaurant had already set the bar pretty high, each snack we tried after pleasantly surprised us still. The mango in each mochi tasted super fresh while the curry added that extra kick to fishballs we didn’t even know was needed.

Heng Mei Restaurant (恒美菜館)
Cost:~HK$17 for this combination
Opening hours:
 10AM – 10PM
How to get there: 2 min walk from Cheung Chau Pier (Google Maps)

Chao Shi Fang (潮食坊)
Cost: ~HK$7/Mango Mochi
Opening hours:
 11AM – 9:30PM
How to get there: 4 min walk from Cheung Chau Pier (Google Maps)

Cheung Chau Tung Yuen Street Snack
Cost:
~HK$8/Curry fishball stick
Opening hours: 12PM – 7PM, closed on Thurs
How to get there: 2 min walk from Cheung Chau Pier (Google Maps)

The Cafe Scene in Cheung Chau

Space Cafe in Cheung chau

Cheung Chau’s cafes, with their small-town charm and laid-back atmosphere, make you feel like the protagonist of a coming-of-age film.

Despite the relaxed pace, these cafes offer high-quality pastries and innovative beverages that rival those in the city, providing a striking and intriguing contrast to Hong Kong’s fast-paced urban vibes.

Poached Pear Pistachios Tart in foreground, person pouring out filter coffee in the background

Heima Heima was one of the most zen cafes we’ve been to.

At Heima Heima, the Poached Pear Pistachio Tart (HK$68) we had was, for lack of a better adjective, mind-blowing. Their light, flavourful filter coffee solidified the impression that Cheung Chau Cafe did not come to play when it comes to the quality of their food.

close up of a girl holding up the blueberry ricotta cheese toast

At Space Cafe, we ordered the Ricotta on Sourdough (HK$68) which instantly became a personal favourite as I liked how well each ingredient complemented each other. But the Masala Chai (HK$42) was lethal for me and Shai who could take only a bit of spice.

Heima Heima Cafe
Cost: ~HK$30 – HK$108/item
Opening hours: 12PM – 5PM (Thu – Fri), 12:30PM – 6PM (Sat)
How to get there: 2min walk from Saiyuen (Google Maps)

Space Cafe at Tai Hing Street
Cost: ~HK$30 – HK$60/item
Opening hours: 9AM – 6PM, closed on Tue
How to get there: 19min walk from Saiyuen (Google Maps)

Handicraft Stores in Cheung Chau

Photo credit: 賣藝 myarts via Facebook

Cheung Chau is also known for their handicrafts scene. From unique prints to handmade souvenirs, we found all sorts of designs in stores like these. The workmanship and detailing that goes into each unique piece are evident from their intricate patterns and materials.

Myarts賣藝 (Mai Yi) Store
Opening hours
: 11AM – 6PM (Mon – Sat), 10AM – 6PM (Sun)
How to get there: 3min walk from Cheung Chau Pier (Google Maps)

North Pavilion Lookout (Cheung Chau Observation Deck, 東南面)

Bird's eye view of North Pavillion Lookout (Cheung Chau Observation Deck, 東南面) - Hong Kong Itinerary

There’s the money shot.

After munching on bites non-stop, we embarked on the main agenda of our Hong Kong itinerary in Cheung Chau: the North Pavilion, also known as the Cheung Chau Observation Deck.

I thoroughly enjoyed the hike up from Cheung Chau Pier to the North Pavilion Lookout as it was an impressively scenic, ‘low effort, high rewards’ kind of hike. Every 50m we trekked, a new photo/video opportunity presented itself and we went off the main path into some of the paths branchings outwards to snap a picture.

Duration: 20mins
Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
How to get there: 20min walk from Cheung Chau Pier (Google Maps)

Coral Beach

Coral Beach - Hong Kong Itinerary

Located just a 7-minute walk from North Pavilion, Coral Beach is a ‘hidden beach’, which was perfect for relaxing after our hike.

Sadly, it had small amounts of plastic bags and other rubbish washed up onto shore. So be sure to help pick up a bit of trash when you’re over there!

How to get there: Follow the trail from the observation deck and take the steps down towards the beach (Google Maps)

Day 3: Hong Kong City

Woman looking out of the window on the ferry bringing passengers back to Hong Kong city - Hong Kong Itinerary

Finally, it was time to bid goodbye to this gorgeously quaint island. We left at 9:30AM following the ferry’s schedule and caught one of their “fast” ferries.

*Pro-tip: Do try to take the fast ferries (non-highlighted timings) which have fewer stops.

Checking in at VEGA Suites

Very clean and comfortable.

VEGA Suites made for a clean and comfortable stay with the usual hotel amenities of toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and body wash, conditioner and a hairdryer. We chose it mainly for its proximity to the Tseung Kwan O MTR station, making travel around the city a lot more convenient.

Cost: ~S$152.50/night up to 2 pax
How to get there: 4min walk from Tseung Kwan O Station (Google Maps)

Read more: Hong Kong Accommodation Guide — Best Hotels Sorted by Neighbourhood From S$83/night

Ap Liu Market

The vibrant streets of Sham Shui Po at Ap Liu Flea Market - Hong Kong Itinerary

You know it’s good when even the locals frequent.

Nestled in the heart of Kowloon, Sham Shui Po is a vibrant neighbourhood that offers a fascinating glimpse into local Hong Kong life. This district is a paradise for bargain hunters, with bustling street markets selling everything from electronics and fabrics to clothing and accessories at affordable prices.

A film camera store at Ap Liu Flea Market - Hong Kong Itinerary

We visited shops selling digicams and were awed by the variety available. Prices ranged from HK$150 to HK$2,000 depending on the brand and quality of the digicams.

With so many cameras and price points to choose from, we spent a decent hour or two just trying out different models to see which cameras offered the best quality for the lowest amount. Though we didn’t buy anything in the end, the shopkeepers were patient in answering our questions.

Opening hours: 9:30AM – 8PM
How to get there: 4min walk from Sham Shui Po MTR Station (Google Maps)

Read more: 9 Things to Do in Hong Kong’s Gatekeep District — Sham Shui Po

Lunch at Man Kee Cart Noodles

Exterior of Man Kee Cart Noodles, where there is a long queue.

Kiki, a local friend of Shai’s, recommended Man Kee Cart Noodles for lunch! She told us about how the store was so successful that they had to buy over two more shop spaces down the same street to expand operations.

Despite this, they retained their humble interior and the essence of their business. The menu stayed the same throughout its expansion, even after getting a Michelin guide listing.

From beef, dumplings, tofu rolls, chicken feet, and spicy snail meat, it seemed as though they provided every topping imaginable! This would be paired with your choice of noodles (instant noodles, thin bee hoon, etc.) and vegetables (oyster mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, etc.). This was the perfect addition to our itinerary to taste the authentic flavours of Hong Kong.

Cost: ~HK$45/bowl
Opening hours: 11AM – 1PM
How to get there: 3min walk from Ap Liu Flea Market (Google Maps)

Owl’s Cafe

Owl's Cafe exterior in Hong Kong.

If I could only use five words to describe Owl’s Cafe, it would be: the queue justifies its taste. We understood how they attained Michelin status after taking a bite of it. The modern twist on bolo buns was well-executed, which is impressive as many modern renditions of traditional snacks often disappoint.

Hands holding up the Strawberry Mousse and Hojicha flavours of Bolo Bun from Owl cafe.

Hoot have thought these would taste so good.

The cafe did this by accentuating the crust of bolo buns through the many unique and innovative flavours that complement it.

We ordered the Strawberry Mousse (HK$48) and Hojicha (HK$48) flavours — the effort put into balancing each flavour and texture was evident, as neither component overpowered the other. The strawberry mousse wasn’t too sour nor was the hojicha too bitter, which allowed for the natural sweetness of the bolo buns to still shine through. An overall premium-tasting dessert.

Cost: ~HK$45/bun
Opening hours: 3PM – 9PM
How to get there: 3min walk from Tsim Sha Tsui Station (Google Maps)

Night Photography at Red Incense Burner Summit

Braemar Hill - Hong Kong Hidden Gems

If you’re looking for scenic viewpoints in the city, Braemar Hill’s Red Incense Burner Summit is a popular spot among photographers and locals, especially during sunrise and sunset. Located on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island, the lookout offers panoramic views of the city skyline, Victoria Harbour, and the surrounding hills.

On our trip, we reached out to Keith Reyes, an Instagram influencer passionate about night photography, to take some pictures. Here’s some of his magic in action:

Night Photography of Jardine's lookout - Hong Kong Itinerary

Photo credit: @clueless.tourist via Instagram

If you’re looking for something more challenging as a hiking activity to add to your Hong Kong itinerary, consider Jardine’s Lookout which is a 33-minute hike from the same starting point of No.111 Mount Butler Road bus station.

Duration: 20mins
Difficulty: Easy
How to get there: From Admiralty MTR Station, take bus 24M from Drake Street; near MTR exit, to No.111 Mount Butler Road; opposite block ‘M’ (Google Maps)

Day 4: Beach hopping in Hong Kong

Girl getting onto ferry at Sai Kung Pier.

We rose early to begin our full day of beach hopping, starting from Sai Kung Pier. Sai Kung is known as the ‘back garden of Hong Kong’, with its fishing villages, beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and pristine beaches. ‘Pristine’ is a strong adjective — but it was also the only word that would describe our personal experiences with the beaches of Sai Kung.

Getting around the beaches

Sunshine speedboat ticket.

We embarked on the Ham Tin speedboat (Sunshine Speedboat Ltd), using tickets we bought from the ferry booths just beside the pier. You could easily ask for their contact to WhatsApp for details about boat arrival timings on the beach, but the general rule of thumb would be every 30 minutes with the last boat departing at 6PM.

Two friends having a conversation on the speedboat en route to Ham Tin Beach.

We couldn’t stop laughing for the first 15 minutes on this 25-minute boat ride.

To be honest, we could have hated the transport for how bumpy it was — but watching your friends struggle in the wind was an experience in itself.

Ham Tin Speedboat Ltd (Sunshine Speedboat Ltd)
Cost
: ~HK$160 – HK$180 (One-way)
Operating hours: 10AM – 6PM
Contact: +852 6210 8776 / +852 9450 8428 / +852 9800 3601
Instagram: @hamtinspeedboat

Ham Tin Beach

Drone shot of Ham Tin Beach - Hong Kong Itinerary

We finally arrived at Ham Tim Beach and boy, was it a welcome introduction to the beaches of Hong Kong. I genuinely was not expecting the waters to be that clean and blue. More importantly, it is the only beach with a campsite for campers to stay overnight in. We saw at least 5 tents set up that day.

*Pro-tip: Bring enough cash on hand as stores here only accept cash.

Food-stops: Hoi Fung Store, On Kee Store (On Kee also offers tents (HK$180), sleeping bags (HK$50) and other camping equipment)

Tai Wan Beach

Path on the way to Tai Wan Beach - Hong Kong Itinerary

To get to Tai Wan Beach, we walked along a part of the Sharp Peak Path for 12 minutes. The trail starts from just behind the Hoi Fung Store (a restaurant at Ham Tin Beach), so feel free to ask the locals if you need help finding it.

Tai Wan Beach - Hong Kong Itinerary

This looks like a screengrab of the opening to a James Bond movie.

My favourite of the three, Tai Wan Beach, was very clean — possibly due to its secluded nature. Even the short trek over to the beach was scenic, a great build-up to the eventual reveal of the beach through the foliage.

How to get there: 13min walk from Ham Tin Beach (Google Maps)
Food-stops: NIL, walk back 12min to Ham Tin Beach for food

Sai Wan Beach

Sunshine speedboat collecting passengers from Ham Tin Beach.

From Tai Wan Beach, we walked back to Ham Tim Beach where we took the boat over to Sai Wan Beach. We recommend asking for your boat provider’s contact to WhatsApp for arrangements. We had to make special arrangements for a ride over to Sai Wan Beach after accidentally purchasing just a two-trip route instead of three when purchasing our tickets from Sai Kung Pier.

Sai Wan Beach - Hong Kong Itinerary

From the rock pools to the mini oasis, Sai Wan Beach could take on the title of ‘most interesting beach’. You could do everything from just lazing by the beach, to eating, to hiking, to exploring rock pools. We didn’t have time to embark on the MacLehose Trail Section 2(Ham Tin Wan) and went straight to the Sai Kung Rock Pools, but that proved to be an adventure in itself.

Girl standing in middle of Sai Kung Rock Pools

Located just an 8-minute walk away from Sai Wan Beach, the Sai Kung Rock Pools was another hidden gem that could be easily accessed. The rocky terrains on the way over presented a slight challenge, but the journey was well worth the effort.

It felt like a mini Switzerland — an interesting contrast to the sunny and vast beaches of Sai Kung in this Hong Kong itinerary.

Difficulty: Easy — but watch out for the slippery rocks
How to get there: 8min walk from Sai Wan Beach (Google Maps)
Food-stops: Oriental Restaurant and Bar, Hoi Shan Restaurant

Day 5: Conquering Tai Mo Shan

Tai Mo Shan

Tai Mo Shan Peak - Hong Kong Itinerary

This is Hong Kong?

On our final day, we tackled one of Hong Kong’s most famous hikes — Tai Mo Shan. At 957m, it’s the highest peak in Hong Kong, offering incredible 360° views from the summit.

Green taxi in Hong Kong - Hong Kong Itinerary

We started at the Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre. To get there, we hopped onto the MTR and headed to the station closest to Tai Mo Shan. This could be Tai Po Market or Tai Wo station, both on the East Rail.

We stopped at Tai Wo MTR station, hailed a green taxi (not the red taxis) and gave them the address of the Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre. Within 15 minutes, we reached the starting point of the hike.

*Pro-tip: Get lunch and stock up on water at the nearest MTR station, to fuel up during the hike on Tai Mo Shan.

Beautiful landscapes at Tai Mo Shan.

Crazy views along the way.

The different trails of Tai Mo Shan

The trail was easy to navigate but we had to get used to the ever-changing terrains. From the rockier paths to the dirt trails to uneven stone steps leading down to the waterfalls, Tai Mo Shan’s trails were switched up every 10 minutes, making the hike that much more engaging.

Tai Mo Shan Comm Tower - Hong Kong Outdoors

Within an hour (from Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre), we found ourselves on Hong Kong’s tallest peak. You can’t actually stand at the highest point because that’s a restricted area for the satellite tower. But there are plenty of big flat rocks just below, by the side — for you to rest and take in the view too.

*Pro-tip: Try going down the Ng Tung waterfall path since it is also a descent from Tai Mo Shan and catch the many beautiful waterfalls along the way.

Tai Mo Shan’s Waterfalls

Waterfall in Tai Mo Shan

The most memorable part would be squeezing through tight trails to seek various waterfalls along the way, providing a refreshing break from the humid climate. Getting to these waterfalls can be quite tricky though, so be sure to read on to find out how.

Start of the Ng Tung waterfall path at Tai Mo Shan - Hong Kong Itinerary

This is my favourite picture out of everything captured at Tai Mo Shan.

There are four ‘official’ waterfalls, though we counted quite a few more on our way. The Ng Tung waterfall path started at the valley as pictured above. From the pavilion, take the left path and you’ll hit the first falls (Scatter Falls) in about half an hour.

Exact Coordinates of the waterfalls we visited
Shan Fat Waterfalls (Scatter Falls)
Ng Tung Chai Mainfall (Main Falls)
Ng Tung Chai Waterfall (Middle Falls)
Bottom Falls

The waterfalls were amazing to witness but what made the journey even better was the historical artefacts you could stop by on the way such as World War II tunnels and other old semi-demolished houses. This offered a unique blend of history and nature exploration, something we were pleasantly surprised to have experienced for an Outdoor Hong Kong Itinerary.

Tai Mo Shan and Ng Tung waterfall path
Duration: 4hrs
Length: 12.8km
Difficulty: Moderate
How to get there: From Tai Po Market or Tai Wo MTR Station, take a 20min taxi ride to the Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre. Follow the signs and path to the start of the trail (Google Maps)
How to get back down: Continue down Ng Tung waterfall path until you pass by Man Tak Yuen and eventually reach the main roads at Yung Nga Kok (Tung Hing Tong) area

Yum Cha at SC Cuisine

SC Cuisine Dim Sum - Hong Kong Itinerary

When in Hong Kong, eat dim sum.

Finally, we arrived back to civilisation and feasted. The Yum Cha at SC cuisine was some of the best dim sum we’ve ever had, and this was seconded by our local friend Kiki, who joined us for dinner.

The dim sum was all in good portions and tasted freshly made. I love my har gaos (steamed prawn dumplings) in Singapore but the ones in Hong Kong were on a whole other level with the size, freshness, and additional chives within.

Cost: ~HK$250 (for 4 pax)
Opening hours: 7AM – 4PM, 6PM – 11PM
How to get there: 2min walk from Exit B, Sheung Wan MTR Station (Google Maps)

Tips for your upcoming Hong Kong Adventure

Cheng Po Sai Cave - Off-the-beaten-path Hong Kong

Trading Hong Kong’s Disneyland along with other famous must-sees in our Hong Kong itinerary for hidden gems beyond city buildings wasn’t an easy choice. But immersing myself in a side of Hong Kong that is often overlooked truly leaves behind an incredible sense of discovery. Personally, it feels as though I now have a secret shared only with Hong Kong.

Best time to visit: Because this itinerary is more outdoor-focused, we recommend going to Hong Kong in Spring. Visit anytime from Feb to Apr when it’s sunny but still cooling and less humid. During the day, average temperatures range from 18°C – 21°C, and at night, it drops to 16°C – 17°C.

Pre-booking of transport and activities: We pre-booked our activities in Saiyuen at least a week before arriving and got our Hong Kong private car charter as well as Octopus cards to save ourselves some of the worrying while we were there. Be sure to head to any MTR station just before you leave to get a refund. The refund value varies.

Preparing for your hikes & other outdoor activities: For our Tai Mo Shan hike, we found an experienced guide to ensure that we would cover the waterfalls safely as some of the waterfalls were not as easily found. There’s also an app Hiking Trail HK we found online.

Money: Save yourself some trouble and bring cash, as many stores in Hong Kong (particularly those located on the beaches) only accept cash.

Planning your next Hong Kong itinerary

Crossing bridge to Sai Wan Rock Pools - Things to do in Hong Kong

Logistics and tips aside, Hong Kong’s outdoor activities deserve more hype. When we saw for ourselves how clean, vast and untouched their beaches were — or even how its limited land mass doesn’t stop an island like Cheung Chau from giving visitors an incredible experience, we were amazed.

Hong Kong has managed to have its natural wonders coexist harmoniously with its urban landscape and it’s refreshing to experience both sides of the city in such a way. The outdoors have always been there within reach, just waiting for us to set aside time to truly explore and get to know them.

So if you’re ready to open your mind to the more green, less concrete jungles of Hong Kong, remember to jot down all the pro-tips from this itinerary! Here are some additional references for your future Hong Kong trips:

5-Day Hong Kong Itinerary Under S$700 — Hidden Gems and Local Recommendations
Sai Kung Guide — 7 Day Trip Itineraries to an Often Forgotten Side of Hong Kong
7D Hong Kong Outdoor Itinerary — Exploring A Different Side of The Concrete Jungle


This post was brought to you by Hong Kong Tourism Board.

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Krissten Tan
She's a bit of an escape artist, slipping into new roles as she explores different countries. One thing that cannot be changed though, is her palate for Singaporean food.

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