Globe hopping
24 / Introducing...
Natural
Hong Kong Paint a different picture of Hong Kong by drawing more attention to its green spaces, beaches and small villages, says Laura Gelder
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best place for... Hiking: Dragon’s Back Beach: Big Wave Bay Wildlife: Hong Kong Wetland Park Waterfalls: Silvermine Waterfall Green space: Victoria Park Remote Island: Tap Mun
Shek O is a popular hiking spot
rewarding views at sunset peak
hen most people think of Hong Kong an urban jungle of soaring skyscrapers and buzzing markets comes to mind. But that’s just the starting point. Covid-cautious travellers will be reassured by the high-tech anti-coronavirus measures – including disinfecting robots – but they might also be interested to know that 40% of Hong Kong is made up of country parks and nature reserves. Should they want to, they can avoid the crowded concrete cityscapes and venture to the mountains, forests and beaches. My most vivid memory of Hong Kong is riding the world’s longest outdoor escalator system between Central and the leafy Mid-Levels. I remember thinking that it encapsulated fast-paced urban life as I effortlessly glided past a dizzying array of aromatic restaurants, enticing shops and neon bars. But even those well-trodden escalators in densely-packed Hong Kong Island pass green spaces – oases amidst glinting skyscrapers like Hong Kong Park and the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Also on Hong Kong Island, the treesmothered Victoria Peak offers spectacular views of the city and harbour and the Peak Circle Trail winds through bamboo groves, past a reservoir and alongside the Pok FuLam Country Park. The Dragon’s Back Trail combines panoramic views from Shek O Peak and a beach finish at Big Wave Bay.
Laid-back Lantau
Traditional Stilt houses in Tai O village
Surf’s up at Big Wave Bay beach
Lantau Island is best known for its Big Buddha, which is currently being renovated, and Disneyland. The Buddha is reached via the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, which terminates at the tranquil Ngong Ping Village with its teahouses and traditional architecture. Close by is Wisdom Path, a grassy route winding past 38 giant columns inscribed with Buddhist scriptures, and Po
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Introducing HK v9.indd 24
5/27/21 04:13 PM
