Lantau Island, Tian Tan Big Buddha, Tai O and the Dragon's Back Hike

Most first-time visitors are astonished to discover that more than three-quarters of Hong Kong's land area consists of forested mountains, volcanic sea cliffs, reservoirs and car-free outlying islands. Dedicating at least one morning or full day to Lantau Island or the coastal trails of southeastern Hong Kong Island provides a refreshing counterpoint to the density of Central and Kowloon.

Lantau Island: Ngong Ping 360, Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O Stilt Village

Nearly twice the size of Hong Kong Island, mountainous Lantau is reached by riding the orange Tung Chung MTR Line to its terminus at Tung Chung Station. Steps from Exit B stands the lower terminal of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, a dramatic 5.7-kilometre bi-cable gondola ride (available in standard cabins or glass-bottomed Crystal+ cabins) that climbs twenty-five minutes across Tung Chung Bay and over the green ridges of North Lantau Country Park to the highland plateau of Ngong Ping. (If the cableway is closed for scheduled maintenance or high winds, New Lantao Bus 23 climbs from Tung Chung bus terminus.)

At the top, climb the 268 granite steps to the 34-metre outdoor bronze Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha), cast from 202 bronze panels and seated on a lotus throne facing north, then visit the gilded halls of Po Lin Monastery and walk the quiet woodland trail to the wooden steles of the Wisdom Path. Before returning down the mountain, board New Lantao Bus 21 from the Ngong Ping plaza for a twenty-minute ride down the western coast to Tai O, a centuries-old Tanka fishing community where corrugated-iron and timber houses stand on stilts directly above tidal creek channels, local boats sell grilled cuttlefish and shrimp paste, and footbridges link quiet island temples.

Hiking the Dragon's Back (Shek O Country Park) and outlying islands

For a half-day coastal hike right on Hong Kong Island, ride the Island MTR Line to Shau Kei Wan Station (Exit A3) and take Bus 9 for fifteen minutes to the To Tei Wan trailhead on Shek O Road. From here, the 8.5-kilometre Dragon's Back trail (Section 8 of the Hong Kong Trail) climbs twenty minutes through bamboo shade onto an open, windswept ridge at 284 metres (Shek O Peak), looking down over the white beaches of Shek O, Big Wave Bay and the South China Sea before descending gently to Shek O village for lunch. Alternatively, take a thirty-minute ferry from Central Pier 4 to car-free Lamma Island for the paved family walk between Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. Pack grippy shoes as noted in what to wear.