If you’re looking for new things to do in Hong Kong, this is your guide!
If you love the outdoors, Hong Kong might not be the first destination on your mind. But there’s a side to this bustling metropolis that not many travellers are familiar with — mountain hikes, picturesque beaches and adventurous activities ⛰️
So here are seven exciting things you must do during your next trip to Hong Kong (that aren’t eating or shopping)!
1) Go on an island getaway — Cheung Chau Island
Just a 30-minute ferry ride from Central Pier, Cheung Chau Island is a popular weekend getaway destination amongst locals. Most people head to Cheung Chau for a day trip, but it’s worth staying a night or two so you can cover more at your own pace.
Saiyuen Camping Adventure Park
There are no fancy hotels on the island, but they have a cool glamping ground. We stayed at Saiyuen Camping Adventure Park’s Geodesic Dome. It was clean and spacious with two double beds and a private bathroom. The best part was waking up to the ocean view every morning!
Our stay here came with breakfast at the common pantry and we got a nice spread of eggs, toast, juice and our choice of dim sum.
The campsite offers some fun activities too. We unleashed our inner Katniss Everdeen during an Archery Combat session (HK$600/session (for 4-6 players) — it was really fun once we got the hang of aiming, shooting and reloading our arrows!
We also learned the art of creating Hong Kong’s iconic bubble waffle (HK$180/session). It was especially tricky cooking it over a charcoal flame as the heat wasn’t consistent. But after some trial and error, we managed to perfectly cook some waffles. All that hard work made the final product even sweeter!
Cost: From ~S$450/night (up to 4 pax)
How to get there: Take a ferry from Central Pier 5 to Cheng Chau Pier, walk 25mins (Google Maps)
*Note: Email [email protected] to pre-book your activities at least a week before your stay to secure your slots.
Cheung Po Tsai Cave
After some fun on the campsite, it’s time to explore the rest of Cheung Chau Island! Close to the campsite is the famous Cheung Po Tsai Cave. This cave is said to be where a well-known pirate hid his treasure.
It was a pretty small cave, and felt more like a tunnel — it took us less than 5 minutes to get to the other side. Although there’s no treasure now, the narrow passageway leads to a pretty sick view of the ocean!
*Pro-tip: Bring headlamps as it’s pitch black in there and you need free hands to climb up and down safely 🔦
Opening hours: 24hrs
How to get there: From Saiyuen campsite, walk 5mins to Tin Hau Temple and follow the signs leading to Cheung Po Tsai Cave (Google Maps)
North Pavillion Lookout (Cheung Chau Observation Deck, 東南面)
If you only have time for a day trip in Cheung Chau, there’s an epic hiking spot near the pier called the North Lookout Pavilion. This is arguably the best hiking trail on the island — it only takes half an hour to get to the main pavilion! Being Cheung Chau’s highest point, it offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the village below!
Opening hours: 24hrs
How to get there: 20min walk from Cheung Chau Pier (Google Maps)
2) Try New Water Sports — Lantau Island
Photo credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
For watersports lovers, head to Lower Cheung Sha Beach at Lantau Island for your dose of adrenaline. They have everything from stand-up paddleboarding to surfing and even windsurfing. The calm, constant breezes here make it the ideal location for your favourite water sports all year round!
Photo credit: Long Coast Seasport
If you want to spend more time here, stay overnight in an adorable caravan (from HK$1,599/night). It comes well-equipped with a comfy bed, private shower facilities and access to various water sports at a discounted rate!
Cost of water activities: Varies
How to get there: From Tung Chung Station, walk 2mins to Fu Tung Plaza, then take bus 11 to Lower Cheung Sha Village (Google Maps)
3) Hike Hong Kong’s highest peak — Tai Mo Shan
Despite being Hong Kong’s tallest peak at 957m, the hike up Tai Mo Shan only takes an hour from Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre.
The coolest thing about the mountain is its central location — it’s right smack at the centre of Hong Kong so you get a 360° view of the entire city and its surroundings!
The top of Tai Mo Shan isn’t accessible as there are communication towers but the path up to the highest point wraps around the mountain. On the way up, we could see other peaks like Lion Rock and Sharp Peak at different points. We could even see Shen Zhen city in the distance too!
From here, you can head back down on the path where you came from to the visitor centre and call a taxi back to the city. Or, you can continue forward to the Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls!
Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls
To get to the falls, continue on the path until you reach a pavilion — this is the landmark for the beginning of the waterfall trek. You can stop for a picnic lunch here before heading to the falls.
*Pro-trip: Pack some food and water to last you the day as there are no shops at Tai Mo Shan Visitor Centre.
From the pavilion, take the left path and you’ll hit the first falls (Scatter Falls) in about half an hour. There are four waterfalls in total — Scatter Fall, Main Fall, Middle Fall and Bottom Fall.
Since it was our first time hiking to Tai Mo Shan and the waterfalls, we sought the help of an experienced guide. The path to the falls is well-paved but certain areas were extra rocky. And because our guide knew the trail well, we visited alternative viewing points of the falls that passed by some World War II tunnels!
Cost: HK$3,300/group (private full-day guided hike, up to 10 pax)
How to get there: 10min taxi ride from Tseun Wan MTR Station to Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre (Google Maps)
4) Capture the city after hours — Red Incense Burner Summit
Braemar Hill’s Red Incense Burner Summit is a great spot to soak in the city lights. Hidden among a private residential area, the journey up is only a 10-minute hike from Braemar Hill Bus Terminus. Be sure to bring a headlamp with you as there are no lights along the pathway!
It’s mainly a dirt track but the path is well-paved. And once you squeeze past some big boulders, a breathtaking view awaits. From this vantage point, you can see the entire Victoria Harbour, with the iconic skyline of Hong Kong Island on one side and the Kowloon Peninsula on the other.
It’s a popular spot for urban landscape photographers and a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the beauty of Hong Kong’s nightscape.
How to get there: Take a taxi to Upper Braemar Hill Bus Terminus, cross over to the opposite side of the bus terminus where the flight of stairs is, take the stairs down and follow the road up. Follow the sign that points to Jardin’s Lookout (Google Maps)
5) Try Astrophotography — Tai Hang Tun Kite Flying Area
Photo credit: Vincent Cheng via Hong Kong Tourism Board
Why not try capturing the nebula at Sai Kung? Sai Kung is further from the city with lesser light pollution, making Tai Hang Tun Kite Flying Area a hidden gem for astrophotographers and stargazers alike.
Located in the Clearwater Bay Country Park, it’s a popular spot in the day for family picnics and, as its name suggests, kite-flying. After sundown, it offers an unobstructed view of the night sky and the South China Sea — its spacious grassy area is perfect for setting up tripods and telescopes. And on a clear day, you can even capture the Eta Carinae, one of the galaxy’s largest and brightest nebulae!
Opening hours: 24hrs
How to get there: From Hang Hau Station, take bus 16 to Clear Water Bay Road (near Tai Au Mun) and walk 20mins (Google Maps)
6) Visit Hong Kong’s most pristine beaches — Tai Long Wan Bay Beaches
Hong Kong has its fair share of beaches, but if there’s any that stands out, it’s the Tai Long Wan Bay Beaches. The beaches here are so pristine and aren’t too crowded even on weekends. From Sai Kung Pier, we took the earliest boat out at 10AM and headed straight for Ham Tin Beach.
Ham Tin Beach
Ham Tin Beach is clean and the waters are so clear! It’s one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful beaches and a popular camping spot among locals. We spent a good chunk of time taking photos here and chilling by the waters.
We didn’t have to worry about bringing any food or extra water as there are two food stalls here — Hoi Fung Store and On Kee Store. And if you plan to camp overnight, On Kee Store offers rentals on tents (HK$180), sleeping bags (HK$50) and any camping equipment you may need!
How to get there: Take a ~30min ride on a speedboat from Sai Kung Pier (Google Maps)
Tai Long Wan Beach
Tai Long Wan Beach is only a 10-minute walk from Ham Tin Beach. This beach is double Ham Tin’s size but quieter with fewer people. I was blown away by how vast and blue the waters are — is this really Hong Kong?! However, there’s no shelter here so be sure to pack an umbrella and slather on lots of sunblock.
How to get here: Follow the road past Hoi Fung Store and walk ~10mins (Google Maps)
Sai Wan Beach & Rock Pools
Sai Wan Beach is just as beautiful as the other two beaches and has food stalls like Ham Tin. But what sets this beach apart is its close proximity to the Sai Wan Rock Pools.
To get there, walk to the far right of the beach until you see another body of water inland. Walk towards it until you see a stone bridge — that’s Sheung Luk Stream.
Cross the bridge, follow the path along the stream and you’ll reach the rock pools. This area is pretty quiet and shady, making it a nice getaway from the sun and crowd. A great spot to picnic and chill the rest of the afternoon away!
*Pro-tip: When purchasing your ferry ticket at Sai Kung Pier, also secure a return trip — the total cost is cheaper than getting return tickets from Sai Wan Beach and your transport back to Sai Kung Pier is settled in advance.
How to get there: From Ham Tin Beach, hike ~40mins to Sai Wan Beach or book a ferry (HK$50) at the speedboat booth behind Hoi Fung Store (Google Maps)
Read more: Sai Kung Guide — 7 Day Trip Itineraries to an Often Forgotten Side of Hong Kong
7) Admire unique volcanic rock formations — UNESCO Global Geopark
Photo credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
The Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark covers over 50 square kilometres of land and features unique S-shaped rock formations from past volcanic activity! The connecting High Island Reservoir (East Dam) is also a big highlight with its world-famous hexagonal rock columns.
While here, you can go on the many hiking trails offering breathtaking views of the coastline and surrounding landscapes. Or join various guided tours to learn about the Geopark’s geology and ecology from knowledgeable guides.
How to get there: Take a 20-min taxi ride from Sai Kung Pier to the East Dam — get your taxi driver’s number so you can secure a ride back (Google Maps)
On weekends: Take green minibus 9A from Pak Tam Chung Bus Terminus to the East Dam of High Island Reservoir (3 stops). Bus services are only available on weekends and public holidays.
Tips for planning your next Hong Kong Itinerary
Our trips to Hong Kong over the years only prove how abundant the city is. It’s a foodie’s dream, a shopper’s paradise, and with a huge backyard for the adventurous soul, you can easily get the best of each world!
We thoroughly enjoyed discovering more of Hong Kong’s great outdoors during our recent trip — we got to experience a little of everything from hiking to chasing waterfalls and relaxing on pristine beaches.
To make the most of your outdoor adventures in Hong Kong, wear comfortable hiking shoes, pack plenty of water, and don’t forget your sunscreen ☀️ Additionally, research the trails and attractions beforehand to ensure you’re well-prepared for any challenges. With stunning natural landscapes and endless outdoor activities, Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for any adventure seeker.
Building your itinerary for your next trip to Hong Kong? Here are some guides to inspire your planning:
Food
Best Cafes in Hong Kong — Instagrammable, Artisanal and Relaxing
Ultimate Hong Kong Food Guide: 50 Best Eats Incl. Halal Food
Guides
The Ultimate Hong Kong Disneyland Guide (2024): Secrets, Tips & Must-Dos
The Ultimate Hong Kong Guide — 28 Must-Sees, Hidden Gems, and Everything In Between
Itineraries
6D5N Hong Kong Itinerary for the Young Muslim Traveller — Hidden Gems, Local Halal Food and Quintessential Attractions
5-Day Hong Kong Itinerary Under S$700 — Hidden Gems and Local Recommendations
7D Hong Kong Itinerary — Exploring Beyond the Food And Shopping Paradise
What other fun things are there to do in Hong Kong? Share with us in the comments below!
This article was brought to you by Hong Kong Tourism Board.
