Hong Kong has a wilder side that's great for exploring

by Martin Williams
(Hong Kong)

Though Hong Kong is mostly seen as being little more than a big modern city, it is actually in a magnificent natural setting on the south China coast.

There are many islands, as well as land linked to mainland China. Just on the fringes of the city - both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon - there are hills you can climb, to reach vantage points overlooking the city, as well as wooded hillsides, coastal inlets, and islets dotting the South China Sea.

Explore further, and you can find waterfalls in secluded ravines, long sandy beaches in quiet coves, forests that are home to wildlife including colourful birds, porcupines, and pythons, old traditional style villages with temples reeking of incense.

There are corals around eastern shorelines. Pink dolphins inhabit western waters, in the mouth of the Pearl River. While a few islands support thriving villages, towns, and even the city areas of Hong Kong Island and north Lantau, there are also barely inhabited and uninhabited islets - some of which you can reach by ferry, others are accessible only by small boats.

As Hong Kong is compact, it's possible to combine visits to such places with enjoying the city: you could hike to a remote beach during the day, and party in bars and discos at night. Also, there are a few places to stay in rural areas, where there are few people, and the main sounds might be bird songs, and frog choruses on warm wet nights.

You can find more information on the wilder side of HK on Hong Kong Outdoors