Beautiful Spots of Nature in Hong Kong That Visitors Rarely See

Hong Kong is mostly known for its lively, bustling city that never fails to provide an endless stream of entertainment along with some of the world's most vibrant and tastiest cuisine. However the region is also full of natural spots like beautiful islands, picturesque beaches and charming coastal towns that visitors often fail to make the trip to. Such places are well connected and easy to get to so there are no excuses to get out of the megalopolis and take a trip to Hong Kong's underrated countryside. Here are some ideas for great places to visit out of the city and get in touch with the local nature.

Po Toi Island

Mediterranean island? Nope just one of the beautiful outlying islands Hong Kong has to offer. Po Toi is just a short 30 minute ferry ride from Stanley in the south of Hong Kong Island. Although the ferry service is quite limited, only a few days a week, it's not difficult to get to and surprisingly devoid of people for such a picturesque island. The gorgeous rocky cliffs make for some incredible hikes which you'll come across gorgeous beaches and azure blue waters along the way.

Dragon's Back

A stretch of greenery that's easy to reach on Hong Kong Island, Dragon's Back is one of the most popular hiking trails among locals wanting to escape the cloying clutches of the busy city. Apart from the stunning coastal walks here, there's a number of lovely beaches worth checking out such as around Big Wave Bay, which is also a popular surfing spot.

Sai Kung East Country Park

Full of rocky peaks and beautiful golden beaches, Sai Kung is another of Hong Kong's hidden gems that rarely faces the sea of tourists crowding the city. The vast country park is not difficult to get to, just take one of the frequent buses to Sai Kung town and then change to one that goes through the park. There are a number of beautiful beaches to the east of the park such as Sai Wan and Ham Tin.

Be sure to also check out the Global Geopark with its incredible rock formations like the basalt cliff at Po Pin Chau.

Sharp Island

A stone's throw from the town of Sai Kung, Sharp Island is another reason to visit this eastern area of Hong Kong. The island is particularly known for Half Moon Bay, a beautiful beach tucked away in the southern tip of the island. It's also popular as a diving spot as the waters are some of the clearest around Hong Kong. The scenery is stunning here and you can walk around the whole island in just a few hours.

Wu Kau Tang to Lai Chi Wo Hike

Full of ancient trees, overgrown trails and old, abandoned buildings, the rural area around Lai Chi Wo feels a world away from the electric city of Hong Kong. Located in the far corner of the northeastern New Territories, Lai Chi Wo is a 400-year-old walled Hakka village that's well worth the trip alone. However the true gem here is the journey itself. Getting there takes about an hour of trekking through quaint, rural villages and old, overgrown forests, highly recommended for anyone that needs an escape from the cloying, tiring pace of the city.

To make for a full day of hiking around the area, be sure to check out the nearby Tiu Tang Lung trail (pictured below) which offers stunning views across the sparsely populated eastern coast and the numerous teardrop islands.

Conclusion

Hong Kong's New Territories and outlying islands are full of incredible scenery and adventures into the wilderness that rarely make it onto the itinerary of visitors to the city. Next time you visit Hong Kong, escape the metropolitan and explore the numerous parks and expanses of greenery that surround the city.