Introduction   Hong Kong Information   Hong Kong Travel Tips   All About Shopping   Sightseeing and Attractions

Hong Kong Information

Green City

You'll be mesmerised by Hong Kong's natural habitat. Lush lowlands, bamboo and pine forests, rugged mountains with panoramic sea views, and secluded beaches - this is the little-known alter ego of Hong Kong. Nearly 70 per cent of Hong Kong's total area is comprised of open land, and an incredible 40 per cent of the territory has been officially conserved in protected country parkland.

The ecological and natural environment in and around Hong Kong is surprisingly diverse. There's dolphin-watching, bird-watching, trail-walking and hiking in country parks and along nature trails. Hong Kong is full of vast and verdant places where you can wander and explore, with the aid of a guidebook or simply by following the trails. You can even jump on a ferry to visit one of more than 260 outlying islands. For a sampling of some the natural beauty spots around Hong Kong visit the Hong Kong Conservation Photography Foundation website.

	Bird watching		Ocean Park Behind-the-scenes Tour
	Guided Nature Walks: Tai Long Wan , Sai Kung - Enchanting Escape Hike		Guided Nature Walks: Lantau Island - Trails and Temples
	Guided Nature Walks: Dragon's Back - Coastal Vista

Bird watching
Bounded by the South China Sea and the Pearl River, Hong Kong has long been a last stop for migratory birds heading south for the winter, and an important landfall for tired wings en route to the north in springtime. During the birdwatching season from October to May, Hong Kong's Mai Po Wetland is an important resting and feeding ground for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australian Flyway. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded here and over 100 of them are rarely seen elsewhere outside the region. The 1,500-hectare Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay Wetlands were listed in 1995 as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

The Mai Po Wetland is particularly popular with bird-watchers and is home to some 50,000 migratory water birds during the winter months - including the rare and endangered Black-faced Spoonbills. The wetland is also home to otters, butterflies, leopard cats and other mammals. The Mai Po Nature Reserve which lies in the centre of this wetland is jointly managed by the World Wide Fund For Nature Hong Kong and the Hong Kong SAR Government's Agriculture and Fisheries Department. The incredible magic of nature continues here with glimpses of fishponds and old shrimp ponds alongside walking trails. Bird-watchers will love the view from the hides (blinds), not only of their feathered friends but also of the picturesque landscaped lagoons below. Another ideal spot lies on the edge of the Deep Bay mudflats bordering Hong Kong and mainland China, where the ultimate bird-watching experience can be enjoyed amongst endless rows of lush mangroves. For more information on birdwatching please visit Hong Kong Bird Watching Society.

Ocean Park Behind-the-scenes Tour
It's a wonderful experience, helping prepare dinner for a panda. Or watching baby dolphins learn to perform their amazing tricks. Or to find out how they keep the water in a shark's tank clean. These and other awesome experiences await visitors to Ocean Park on its brand new, Behind-the-Scenes tours, which literally take you backstage at one of Asia's largest theme parks to get a view of the action like never before. The folks at Ocean Park have put together two outstanding encounters called "Animal Ed-Venture" Tour and "Marine Land Ed-Venture" Tour.

On the "Animal Ed-Venture" Tour, you'll drop by the "Dolphin University" and watch baby dolphins at play. Over at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Giant Panda Habitat you'll get up close and personal with An-An and Jia-Jia as they tuck into some bamboo delicacies. You can even help make the snacks. In the Butterfly House you'll witness the moment of creation as a butterfly emerges from its cocoon.

On the "Marine Land Ed-Venture" Tour you'll visit Pacific Pier and learn everything you wanted to know about sea lions and harbour seals. There is also a visit to the Shark Aquarium which houses the top predators in the sea. You'll find out just how the attendants keep the water clean and other interesting shark facts. You won't want to miss a visit to the Atoll Reef for a front row seat to watch the daily feeding. You'll see newborn fish and even visit the laboratory where they grow special food for the jellyfish!

Guided Nature Walks: Tai Long Wan , Sai Kung - Enchanting Escape Hike
With its expansive and wild landscape, the Sai Kung Peninsula is known as "Hong Kong's Back Garden". The jewel in the peninsula's crown is Tai Long Wan, an expansive bay with long, white sandy beaches ringed by hills and headlands. You start with a ferry ride to Ko Lau Wan, a remote fishing village located on the peninsula. Walking through the village you pass a Taoist cemetery. Then you will climb up and along a grassy trail offering spectacular mountain and coastal views. Up ahead is Sharp Peak.

If you like a challenge why not make the 468 metre climb to the top and enjoy the view that isn't on any postcard. Then it's down to Tai Long Wan for an optional swim and lunch in Ham Tin village. After lunch, you'll wander through the abandoned village of Chek Keng before taking a 5-minute boat ride back to the car.

Guided Nature Walks: Lantau Island - Trails and Temples
Hong Kong's largest island, Lantau, has been called the Island of Prayer because of its many temples and monasteries. It also boasts some of Hong Kong's finest scenery.

Routing: You'll start this outing with a ferry ride from Hong Kong Island, then take a scenic bus ride along Lantau's southern coast and up to Ngong Ping, below the summit of Lantau Peak. Here, you'll see the Big Buddha, visit Po Lin Monastery, and stroll through the old Tea Gardens to a vantage point with superb views of Shek Pik reservoir and the South China Sea beyond. Then, you'll hike a path that drops, then levels out and takes you to the road leading towards Kwun Yam Temple. Named after the Goddess of Mercy, this beautiful temple is set on a wooded hillside from where you can see more temples. Enjoy a break at this temple before heading along a quiet, level road and, if time permits, visit a Chinese landscaped garden set in the hills.

Guided Nature Walks: Dragon's Back - Coastal Vista
Southeastern Hong Kong Island boasts some surprisingly wild country, a world away from the urban bustle. As you wind your way up the ridge known as Dragon's Back above Chai Wan, the city slips away.

Routing: You'll first walk through woodland, but this soon gives way to wind-pruned grass and bamboo along the ridge that is the spine of the dragon. On a clear day, the trail affords tremendous views over the south of the island, Shek O and the South China Sea. From here you will walk down to catch a bus to Shek O, where you can mingle with the villagers and day-trippers as you stroll through this wonderfully eccentric community.

Back to the Top 

  Information provided by Hong Kong Tourism Board.