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6 best picnic spots in Hong Kong worth hiking to

By Beverly Ngai 8 November 2021 | Last Updated 1 April 2022

Header image courtesy of @picnicking_by_misaka (via Instagram)

Autumn is hands-down the best time of the year in Hong Kong to hit the outdoors and soak up the crisp weather, but goodness knows that our city’s autumn days come and go faster than leaves falling from the trees. So why not make the most of the rare cool, sunny skies and experience two seasonal outdoor activities in one fell swoop?

Nestled in the idyllic pockets of Hong Kong, these spectacular picnic locations require a bit of hiking reach, but are worth the extra steps for their scenic views and quiet seclusion. Plus, you’ll be able to work up an appetite before digging into your scrumptious sandwiches and finger foods. So grab your picnic baskets and get trekking!

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Photo: @picnicking_by_misaka (via Instagram)
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Victoria Peak Garden

Pack your dainty sandwiches, cheeses, and biscuits—it’s time to indulge in a classic Victorian-style picnic! Decked out in wrought-iron gazebos and colourful flower beds, this neatly manicured garden near the crest of Victoria Peak throws you back in time to a bygone colonial era without straying too far from city comforts.

Matched with the abundant benches and landscaped pathways, the secluded oasis is ideal for families and children looking to while away a peaceful afternoon. Victoria Peak Garden can be easily reached by a 20-minute walk from the Peak Galleria. However, if you would rather make a full adventure out of it and start your journey from the bottom of the Peak, there are multiple hiking trails to choose from!

How to get there:

  1. Take the Island line to Central Station.
  2. Board bus 1 or 15 from City Hall on Connaught Road Central and alight at The Peak.
  3. Walk along Peak Road and Mount Austin Road for around 20 minutes.
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Ngong Ping, Ma On Shan Country Park

Not to be confused with the similarly named highland in Lantau Island, Ngong Ping in Ma On Shan Country Park is a vast, grassy plateau nestled just south of the scenic Pyramid Hill. The flat, expansive field is blessed with an equally uninterrupted bird’s-eye view of Sai Kung Peninsula and nearby hills, making it a coveted playground for outdoor enthusiasts of all types, including paragliders, campers, and adventure-seeking picnickers. Don’t worry about jostling for space—there’s more than enough to comfortably accommodate everyone!

You can get to Ngong Ping from Sai Kung Town or Ma on Shan; either way will take about an hour following the Ma On Shan Country Trail. Depending on how energetic you’re feeling after your picnic, you could up the ante and tackle the abutting Pyramid Hill too before finishing up the day. Click here to read our full guide to Pyramid Hill via Ngong Ping.

How to get there:

  1. Take the Tuen Ma line to Ma On Shan Station (Exit B).
  2. Catch village bus NR84 on On Luk Street.
  3. Alight at Ma On Shan Country Park (BBQ Site).
  4. Follow the Ma On Shan Country Trail to Ngong Ping.
Photo: @hansleytravel (via Instagram)
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Sham Chung

For a picnic that feels downhome and rustic, Sham Chung should be your first port of call. A quaint, largely abandoned Hakka settlement tucked away along the northern coastline of Sai Kung, Sham Chung is arguably one of the most far-removed places in Hong Kong; but those who are willing to venture away from the main thoroughfares will be privy to the area’s extraordinary patchwork of ponds, lush mangrove forests, and of course, spacious grassy meadows to shake out your picnic blanket and enjoy an alfresco feast.

While it is possible to take a ferry from Ma Liu Shui directly to Sham Chung, getting there by foot is definitely recommended for the most immersive and rewarding experience.

How to get there:

  1. Take minibus 7 to Pak Sha O Youth Hostel from Sai Kung Pier Minibus Terminal.
  2. Alight on Hoi Ha Road.
  3. Make your way to the small path to your left pointing toward Pak Sha O.
  4. Follow the trail for around an hour to reach Sham Chung.

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Photo: @anguswphoto (via Instagram)
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Wo Tong Kong

Luxuriate in panoramic vistas of the New Territories as you sip and snack! Ranked tenth amongst the highest peaks in Hong Kong, this 702-metre mountain on the northwestern side of Tai Mo Shan promises endless fresh air and sweeping scenery that is at once striking and peaceful.

The open glade at the summit paints an idyllic picture reminiscent of something from the Swiss Alps, complete with a continuous wooden fence, lots of space to lie down and get lost in the clouds, as well as a smattering of picnic tables for a relaxing lunchtime spread.

Despite Wo Tong Kong’s staggering height, the hike is not actually as difficult as it seems. In fact, from the Tai Mo Shan Rotary Club Park, it’s only around a 45-minute uphill trek along Maclehose Trail Section 8—easily manageable even for children and amateur hikers. More importantly, this means you will not have to worry about lugging around your picnic basket for too long!

How to get there:

  1. Take the Tsuen Wan line to Tsuen Wan Station.
  2. Walk along Tai Ho Road towards the bus stop outside Princess Alexandra Community Centre.
  3. Catch bus 51 and alight at Tai Mo Shan Country Park.
  4. Make your way to the Rotary Club Park and enter the trail on Tai Mo Shan Road.
Photo: Minghong (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Long Ke Wan

If a feast on the beach is more your speed, head over to Long Ke Wan to set up your base. While there are numerous beaches all across Hong Kong, this isolated stretch of coastline on the southeastern edge of the Sai Kung Peninsula is unrivalled when it comes to unspoilt, soft-white sand, a swathe of pristine waters, and tranquil ambience—all the makings of a picture-perfect beach picnic with friends and loved ones.

Just keep in mind to pack everything you need for the outing as there are no real amenities around to speak of. Unless you hire a speedboat, there’s no getting away with some kind of a trek to get there, but luckily, there are options ranging from 30 minutes to three hours for your choosing. Click here to read our full guide on how to hike to Long Ke Wan.

How to get there:

  1. From Sai Kung Town, hop onto bus 94 or minibus 7 to Pak Tam Chung.
  2. Follow Maclehose Trail Section 1 to the High Island Reservoir East Dam roundabout.
  3. Look for a sign pointing to Long Ke Wan and follow the trail to the beach.
  4. Alternatively, simply catch a taxi from Sai Kung Town directly to the High Island Reservoir East Dam roundabout and follow the path to Long Ke Wan.
Photo: @wanna_wander_in_red (via Instagram)
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Lau Shui Heung Reservoir

Lakeside picnic against a vivid display of burnt-amber foliage? Yes, please! Nicknamed “sky mirror lake” for its still, glassy waters that perfectly reflects the sky and fringing cypress trees, Fanling’s Lau Shui Heung Reservoir is an exceptionally picturesque spot to savour an outdoor repast. There is a proper campsite outfitted with picnic tables and barbecue pits located five minutes away from the site, but your best bet is simply to plop down on a clear spot along the bank of the reservoir and prepare to be dazzled by nature’s annual colour show!

From the Pat Sin Leng Country Park roundabout, the path to the reservoir takes under 30 minutes, but there is also a longer loop trail for those who fancy making extra pit stops to the scenic Hok Tau and Shek Au Shan. Click here to read our full guide on how to hike to Lau Shui Heung Reservoir.

How to get there:

  1. Take the East Rail line to Fanling station (Exit A).
  2. Catch minibus 52B to Hok Tau and alight at the Pat Sing Leng Country Park roundabout.
  3. Walk along Hok Tau Road to the reservoir.
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Beverly Ngai

Editor

A wanderer, chronic overthinker, and baking enthusiast, Beverly spent much of her childhood in the United States before moving to Hong Kong at age 11 and making the sparkling city her home. In her natural habitat, she can be found baking up a storm in her kitchen, journalling at a café, or scrolling through OpenRice deciding on her next meal.

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