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SmartPLAY to be Officially Launched on 9 November

Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD)'s new intelligent sports and recreation services booking and information system, SmartPLAY, will be officially launched at 7am on November 9 to replace the current Leisure Link Computerised Booking System which will stop operation from November 6 onward. Let's check out the following and get ready to use SmartPLAY! Registration and Identity Authentication All citizens, including existing Leisure Link users, must register with the new system and complete an identity authentication process before using the new system to enrol in programmes and book leisure facilities. The LCSD has set up 375 new Smart Self-service Stations at around 240 leisure venues (including District Leisure Services Offices in various districts) for members of the public to submit their registration, and complete identity authentication and account activation procedures. "SmartPLAY" Smart Way Workshops To assist members of the public to complete the registration of SmartPLAY user account and to familiarise themselves with facilities booking and programmes enrolment with the new system, a series of "SmartPLAY" Smart Way Workshops  organised by the LCSD are now open for application. Members of the public are welcome to join the workshops for free.   Enhanced Functions Apart from its core functions of facilities booking, the new system will provide more enhanced functions including increasing the capacity of the new system to accommodate 10 000 concurrent users, against around 1 000 at present, so as to enable a quick and more efficient login to the system. Moreover, users may enjoy a series of personalised services, like receiving e-notifications according to their own preferences, information on cancelled and released sessions available for booking, as well as checking balloting results and refund status, etc. Users may also receive notifications in case of urgent closure of leisure venues or cancellation of programmes due to inclement weather. The system also provides different means of e-payment. New Arrangement on Facility Bookng New Arrangement on Community Recreation and Sports Programmes Enrolment   From Leisure Link to SmartPLAY From 6 to 8 November, data transfer between the old system and the new one, report checking and online data verification, as well as re-inspections of all new system equipment including network security devices, will take place to ensure smooth operation of the new system. During these three days, the registration for SmartPLAY will also be suspended. To ensure a smooth transition, the LCSD will implement transitional arrangements from late-October to mid-November, please refer to the Annexes of this press release for details. Arrangements of balloting applications for hard-surface ball courts will be announced later.Meanwhile, starting from 1 November, the arrangements of reallocating the leisure facilities for individual users if such are not available for use will be cancelled. If the booked facilities are not available for use, users can apply for a refund through the existing mechanism or SmartPLAY system.   For more information on SmartPLAY, please visit the SmartPLAY website, or call the SmartPLAY hotline at 3954 5150.

Kayaking/Canoeing training courses provided by LCSD

Kayaking / Canoeing is a sport for all ages. It requires no complicated equipment. All you need is a paddle and a lifejacket / buoyancy aid and you will soon enjoy paddling with simple instructions. The water sports centres under the management of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) are equipped with a variety of kayaks / canoes, including single and double kayaks, rescue kayaks, sea kayaks, multi-purpose kayaks and racing kayaks (K-1). Added to these are a wide range of structured programmes and our experienced instructors. No matter being a beginner or a professional paddler, there are always programmes suitable for you. These are some examples of the training courses: For beginners  Kayak 1 Star Award Training (1-day course)A course specially designed for beginners. It is intended to get you started on sheltered waters and introduce the basic paddling strokes, whistle signals, personal gear, the relevance of lifejacket / buoyancy aid, raft-up as well as capsize training. After successful completion of the course, you may proceed to the 2-Star Award Training.  For intermediates  Kayak Proficiency Gold Award Training (Techniques & Sea Trip) (2-day course)This is the highest level of training for Proficiency Award. It introduces the skills and knowledge including sculling draw, sculling for support, low brace turn, map reading and use of compass, etc. In this course, you will undergo a 15-kilometre sea trip training. Participant completed the 2-day Kayak Proficiency Gold Award Training is eligible to apply for the Attendance Certificate from Hong Kong Canoe Union (HKCU). The Attendance Certificate Holder is eligible to apply for one day examination on both written and practical assessment organised by HKCU or its affiliated clubs. If participant successfully passes the assessments, Kayak Proficiency Certificate will be awarded by HKCU.  For professionals  Advanced Canoe Lifeguard Training (Techniques) (3-day course)This is a comprehensive canoe lifeguard course designed to prepare student with advanced knowledge, skills and ability to handle unexpected events on the water. The contents of the course include searching technique, accident case study, full rolling skill, swimming in canoe, single blade stroke, various towing techniques and first aid skills, etc. The course aims at helping participants to prepare for the Advanced Canoe Lifeguard Certificate Examination.For more details about the training course of Kayak/Canoe, please visit the website of LCSD. And please read the Entry Requirement before enrolment. >>Click here for LCSD's training courses of Kayak/Canoe Sea expeditions or adventuresThe Water Sports Centres of LCSD offer various thematic water sports activities in marine ecology and coastal geological features for nature lovers to admire the coastal scenery. Apart from physical training, the activities also help participants to improve self-confidence, give full play to their potential and foster team spirit while planning their sea expeditions. By taking part in thematic sea trips, participants can maneuver their own canoes to enjoy at close range the fascinating scenery at sea and appreciate the wonders of nature in remote and uninhabited islands. The programmes will not only help to foster a sense of environmental protection among participants but also enable them to enjoy life at leisure.After getting the specific certificate of Kayak/Canoe or LCSD Kayak 3 Star*, you can join the sea expeditions or adventures organised by the Water Sports Centres of LCSD, the programes are Marine Ecological Tours, Coastal Geological Tours, Coastal Scenery Tours, or other Coastal Tours etc. For the details of the sea expeditions or adventures, please visit the website of LCSD.*For novices in canoeing, the Water Sports Centres of LCSD will provide one-stop service including provision of elementary training courses in canoeing (i.e. Kayak 1-star to 3-star Award) and design of appropriate sea expeditions or adventures to participants who are interested in canoeing and able to swim 50 metres with clothes. Please contact the Water Sports Centres for details.

LCSD appeals to public to participate in Sport For All Day 2023

In order to continuously build a “Sport for All” culture in the community, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will organise the Sport For All Day 2023 on August 6 (Sunday). Most leisure facilities under the purview of LCSD will be open for free use and recreation and sports programmes will be held in designated sports centres across districts. Participants can also view the live webcast of sports demonstration. Members of the public are welcome to participate in the event.The focal sport of Sport For All Day this year is “Fitness Exercise for Wellness”. The LCSD will organise a series of physical fitness demonstrations and play-in sessions for public participation to encourage the public to pursue a healthy body-mind lifestyle through regular physical exercise. Free recreation and sports programmes and activity coupons distributionThe LCSD will hold diversified and free recreation and sports programmes from 2pm to 6pm on August 6 at designated sports centres in 18 districts. Health talks, fitness corners, sports activities for parents, children and adolescents, as well as sports demonstrations and fun games for the elderly and persons with disabilities, will be arranged. Activity coupons will be distributed from 8.30am on July 24 (Monday) at LCSD District Leisure Services Offices and designated venues in the 18 districts.Sports demonstrations will be featured in a live webcast via the event dedicated website and the "LCSD Plusss" Facebook page on the event day from 2pm. Members of the public can experience the vigour of sports demonstrations at home through online platforms. Free use of leisure facilities and booking arrangementsAt the same time, various LCSD leisure facilities will also be open for free use by the public on Sport For All Day 2023 to develop a habit of regular exercise. Booking for the free use of facilities on August 6 can be made at Leisure Link booking counters in various districts (except self-service kiosks) and via Internet booking start from 7am on July 31 (Monday) onwards, on a first-come, first-served basis (the Leisure Link booking counter services at Tuen Mun Recreation and Sports Centre will start from 7.45am and water sports centres; holiday camps and District Leisure Services Offices will start from 8.30am). Each person can only book one free session irrespective of the type of leisure facility. Due to the anticipated high use of online booking services by the public, it may take a longer time for users to log into the system for booking during peak hours in the morning. For details, please visit the event dedicated website.

User registration for SmartPLAY opens

The new intelligent sports and recreation services booking and information system of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), SmartPLAY, is open for user registration starting from today (July 3). All people, including existing Leisure Link patrons, must register and complete an identity authentication process beforehand in order to use the new system. A dedicated website and a mobile app (My SmartPLAY App) have been provided for user registration. If users complete their registration through "iAM Smart'', they can complete identity authentication and instant activation of their SmartPLAY account in one go. Besides, they can utilise 375 new Smart Self-service Stations at around 240 leisure venues (including the District Leisure Service Offices ((DLSOs)) in various districts) under the management of the LCSD. Other than performing registration, users can also complete identity authentication and account activation at the Smart Self-service Stations simultaneously. If users have yet to register with "iAM Smart'', they can fill in basic account information through the My SmartPLAY App or SmartPLAY website, and then upload a copy of their Hong Kong identity card (HKID). After verification, users are requested to perform identity authentication with the original copy of their HKID through Smart Self-service Stations at DLSOs/ leisure venues or self-check-in devices at the leisure venues in various districts, whereupon their SmartPLAY account can be activated. >>Click here for the tutorial videos on user registration and other subjects.For more information on SmartPLAY, please visit the SmartPLAY website, or call SmartPLAY hotline at 3954 5150.For details, please check out the Facebook Page "LCSDPlusss" and press release.

LCSD to launch new sports and recreation services booking and information system

SmartPLAY, a new intelligent sports and recreation services booking and information system will be launched for user registration starting from July 3.  Available in both website and mobile app format, SmartPLAY enables users to register personal accounts, and search and book/enrol for sports and recreation facilities or programmes anytime and anywhere.  All people (including the existing Leisure Link Patrons) must register as a user of SmartPLAY and complete the authentication process before using the new system. The new system will be launched by phases.  Members of the public can utilise the new system on or before October.  They can then utilise the new Smart Self-service Stations at around 240 leisure venues under the management of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) during opening hours easily and conveniently, including the District Leisure Service Offices in various districts, sports centres, swimming pools, sports grounds, holiday camps and water sports centres, etc.  The eye-catching design and user-friendly services will bring a new look and experience to our citizens. For details, please check out the Facebook of LCSDPlusss and press release.

LCSD's Urban Sports Programmes

To further strengthen the promotion of urban sports that have been introduced in the Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games, as well as to encourage greater public participation in sports activities, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will organise a series of urban sports programmes including 3-on-3 basketball, breaking, futsal, skateboarding and sport climbing.  Some of the events are conducted to cater for youths, with a view to spurring more participation by them and exploring their potential in sports. Wish to join the urban sports programmes? Scroll down and learn more! Schedule of Urban Sports Programmes 3-on-3 Basketball Breaking Futsal Skateboarding Sport Climbing   Enrolment Method and ProcedureThe enrolment method and procedure for various programmes may vary. Please refer to the codes for enrolment method and procedure annotated at the programme schedule, as well the the notes on enrolment. Notes on Enrolment   Facilities and Venues SearchApart from the mentioned programmes, LCSD facilities are also available for conducting urban sports. At present, there are 14 indoor and outdoor sport climbing facilities, 8 skateboard grounds, 5 skateparks, over 120 5-a-side soccer pitches, some 500 basketball courts and over 190 dance rooms/activity rooms available for conducting urban sports. Search for facilities available for conducting urban sports   LCSD Edutainment Channel Learning Sports3-on-3 Basketball Roller Sports Sport Climbing Free Promotional Fun Days Suitable for YouthsWith a view to bolstering the participation of youth, LCSD will launch a series of free promotional fun days with specific urban sports themes which are suitable for youths, such as Skateboarding Fun Day for Youth, Breaking Fun Day for Youth and 3-on-3 Basketball Fun Day for Youth. Relevant national sports associations will send qualified instructors to demonstrate the sports and teach participants basic skills on-site. Participants can also join a play-in session to experience the fun of urban sports and explore their sport potential. Stay tuned! Click here to visit LCSD's Urban Sports dedicated website.    

A Guide to Flower Appreciation 2023

1) Ngong Ping Cherry BlossomsThere is a recent trend to admire spring flowers and cherry trees in Hong Kong. The cherry blossoms in Ngong Ping thrived in the past four years and bloomed steadily after the adaptation period. It has become one of the cherry blossom viewing spots in Hong Kong. And a "blossom-seasons-tourism" has also been gradually developed on Lantau Island, allowing flower lovers and tourists to watch the beauty of blooming flowers and enjoy a leisurely journey. Details: https://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/topics-in-focus/index-id-28.html 2) Blossoms Around the TownLook around and enjoy the beautiful blossoms in the city all year round! (Follow the Hong Kong Flower Appreciation Map below and be surprised!)   More about "Blossoms Around Town", please visit the website of Leisure and Cultural Services Department. 3) Hong Kong Flower Show 2023Hong Kong Flower Show 2023 (the Show) was held from 10 to 19 March 2023 at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.  The Show this year takes as its theme “Bliss in Bloom”, featuring the gorgeously and uniquely grown hydrangea as its theme flower.  Long a darling of flower lovers, hydrangea is renowned for its glamorous large flowers and splendid colours in full bloom, definitely creating a captivating sense of bliss and romance in every corner of the Show. Details: https://www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2023/index.html 4) "LCSD Plusss" Flower ExpressLeisure and Cultural Services Department provides weekly updates on flowers and plants on the "LCSD Plusss" Facebook page. Details: https://www.fa.gov.hk/en/videos.html 5) 【LCSD Edutainment Channel - 101 Academy】Appreciation of Flowers 101 Details of "Appreciation of Flowers 101": https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/edutainment/en/academy/page_75.html6) 【Development Bureau Webpage - Flower in Bloom】Development Bureau archives and categorises flowers and plants according to months from January to December on the dedicated website.Details: https://www.greening.gov.hk/en/resource-centre/plant-species-knowledge/flower-in-bloom/index.html7) 【Development Bureau Webpage - Landscape Corner】Development Bureau introduces on the dedicated website the seasonal plants and flowers that are available in different regions and seasons for the public to enjoy. Details: https://www.greening.gov.hk/en/greening-landscape/landscape-corner/index.html

[LCSDPlusss] About the frontline workers in Hong Kong City Hall

This story is only available in Chinese. For more information on the subject, please visit the Leisure and Cultural Services Department Facebook Page.

[LCSDPlusss] The "Magic-hand" in the urban greening

This story is only available in Chinese. For more information on the subject, please visit the Leisure and Cultural Services Department Facebook Page.

Latest news for the red leaves in LCSD parks and gardens

Thereare over 1500 parks and gardens under the management of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) across Hong Kong. Featuring green canopies and seasonal blooms all year round, such parks and gardens draw crowds of flower viewers taking pictures during flowering seasons. Among an array of flowering plants, some species are in particular popular with visitors. To help members of the public to appreciate flowers timely, LCSD launched a brand-new-flower-viewing website to enable the public to keep abreast of the latest information on occasions and locations for flower appreciation. Latest news for the red leaves The debut plant of this new website is red leaves in Tsing Yi Park, North District Park, Jordan Valley Park and the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Members of the public can check the foliage changes in these parks and seize chances to enjoy the seasonal beauty. The flowering status of the remaining seven species will be updated in due course. Tsing Yi ParkThe Park’s ornamental lake is lined with 35 water pine trees and five bald cypress trees. During autumn and winter months, the foliage turns golden yellow and even crimson. Designed in the European style, the Park looks gorgeously scenic as the lake gleams gold from the reflection of the foliage colours under the sun. The viewing platform opposite the ornamental lake is a popular spot for viewing red leaves, allowing photography lovers to take pictures of such beautiful red leaves. (How to go) North District ParkLocated between Fanling and Sheung Shui, the North District Park features a landscape designed in a splendid Yangzhou style with distinctively unique pavilions. At the centre of the Park is a picturesque ornamental lake by the side of which 16 bald cypresses are grown. The reflections of the Jiangnan-style gardens in the rippling water of the lake present a stunning view of poetic beauty, leaving visitors spellbound. (How to go) Jordan Valley ParkAs the foliage of about 50 sweet gum trees in the Park turns crimson in winter, crowds of visitors are drawn to pay a visit, making the Park a popular urban spot for viewing red leaves. The Park features at its centre a large lawn rarely seen in urban areas, in addition to a children’s play area and a radio-controlled model car racing circuit. Flower viewers may picnic here while enjoying the red leaves, perfect for family outings. (How to go) Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical GardensLocated in the Mid-levels of Hong Kong Island, it is the first ever park built in Hong Kong with a history of 150 years. Flanked by 30 sweet gum trees, the Avenue of Sweet Gum next to the Fountain Terrace Garden appears like a tunnel of red leaves when the trees turn crimson in autumn and winter. The red foliage and the greenery nearby are a perfect match for each other, creating a poetic ambience around. (How to go)  

LCSD's barbecue sites to resume normal operation (includes the list of LCSD's barbecue sites)

In view of the relaxation of some social distancing measures announced by the Government, barbecue sites under The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) resume normal operation from 3 November gradually. Persons using the facilities of the barbecue sites are required to comply with the measures for the prevention of COVID-19 so as to reduce the chances of spreading the virus in the community. List of LCSD's barbecue sites (Open 24 hours daily) Big Wave Bay Beach (Big Wave Bay Road, Shek O, Hong Kong)Facilities: 20 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2809 4558 Big Wave Bay Picnic Area (Big Wave Bay Road, Shek O, Hong Kong)Facilities: 6 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2555 0103 Chung Hom Kok Beach (Chung Hom Kok Road, Hong Kong)Facilities: 25 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2813 0454 Chung Hom Kok Park (Chung Hom Kok Road, Hong Kong)Facilities: 3 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2555 0103 Deep Water Bay Beach (Island Road, Deep Water Bay, Hong Kong)Facilities: 33 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2812 0228 Hair Pin Beach (Stanley Beach Road, Stanley, Hong Kong)Facilities: 22 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2813 0217 Name of Venue: Middle Bay Beach (South Bay Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong)Facilities: 9 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2812 2546 Shek O Beach (Shek O Road, Shek O, Hong Kong)Facilities: 39 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2809 4557 Shek O Headland Picnic Area (Shek O Headland Road, Shek O, Hong Kong)Facilities: 3 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2555 0103 South Bay Beach (South Bay Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong)Facilities: 19 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2812 2468 St. Stephen's Beach (Wong Ma Kok Path, Stanley, Hong Kong)Facilities: 14 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2813 1872 Stanley Main Beach (Stanley Beach Road, Stanley, Hong Kong)Facilities: 15 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2813 0217 Turtle Cove Beach (Tai Tam Road, Stanley, Hong Kong)Facilities: 12 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2813 0386 Waterfall Bay Park (Waterfall Bay Road, Wah Fu Estate, Aberdeen, Hong Kong)Facilities: 10 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2555 0103 Lion Rock Park (Chuk Yuen Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon)Facilities: 26 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2337 4648 Cheung Po Chai Cave Picnic Area (Cheung Po Chai Road, Cheung Chau)Facilities: 6 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2852 4845 Hung Shing Yeh Beach (Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island)Facilities: 9 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2982 0352 Lo So Shing Beach (Lo So Shing Beach, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island)Facilities: 6 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2982 8252 Lo Tik Wan Barbecue Area (Lo Tik Wan, Lamma)Facilities: 2 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2852 4845 Po Chu Tam BBQ Area (Tai O, Lantau Island)Facilities: 3 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2852 4845 Pui O Beach (Pui O Beach, Lantau)Facilities: 6 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2984 7675 Silver Mine Bay Beach (Silver Mine Bay Beach, Lantau Island)Facilities: 24 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2984 8229 Tong Fuk Barbecue Area (Tong Fuk, Lantau Island)Facilities: 3 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2852 4845 Tung Wan Barbecue Area, Peng Chau (Tung Wa, Peng Chau)Facilities: 6 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2852 4845 Upper Cheung Sha Beach (Upper Cheung Sha Beach, Lautau Island.)Facilities: 7 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2980 2114 Clear Water Bay First Beach (Tai Wan Tau, Clear Water Bay Road)Facilities: 15 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2719 8308 Hap Mun Bay Beach (Hap Mun Bay, Sharp Island)Facilities: 22 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2796 6788 Kiu Tsui Beach (Kiu Tsui, Sharp Island)Facilities: 13 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2798 8171 Trio Beach (Trio (Hebehaven) Beach)Facilities: 20 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2792 3672 Kwei Tei Street Garden (Kwei Tei Street, Fo Tan, Sha Tin)Facilities: 2 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2634 0147 Lok Shun Path Barbecue Area (Lok Shun Path, Sha Tin)Facilities: 6 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2634 0147 Tai Mei Tuk Barbecue Area (Tai Po Tai Mei Tuk Road)Facilities: 40 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 3183 9020 Anglers' Beach (13 milestone, Castle Peak Road - Sham Tseng)Facilities: 7 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2491 1229 / 2212 9738 Approach Beach (10 1/2 milestone, Castle Peak Road - Ting Kau)Facilities: 2 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2491 1229 / 2212 9738 Gemini Beaches (12 milestone, Castle Peak Road - Sham Tseng)Facilities: 2 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2491 1229 / 2212 9738 Hoi Mei Wan Beach (11 3/4 milestone, Castle Peak Road - Ting Kau)Facilities: 3 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2491 1229 / 2212 9738 Butterfly Beach Park (Area 45, Lung Mun Road, Tuen Mun (Near Melody Garden))Facilities: 80 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2404 5979 Cafeteria Old Beach (18 3/4 milestone,Castle Peak Road)Facilities: 23 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2450 6306 Castle Peak Beach (19 milestone,Castle Peak Road)Facilities: 27 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2450 6326 Kadoorie Beach (18 3/4 milestone,Castle Peak Road)Facilities: 6 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2450 6336 Wang Toi Shan Playground (Wang Toi Shan, Fan Kam Road, Pat Heung, Yuen Long)Facilities: 4 barbecue pitsEnquiry No: 2478 4342 Please refer to the LCSD website for more details.

Summer Bucket List: LCSD Museums’ Exhibition in August

Visiting museums is one of the best activities in this scorching summer. You can obtain knowledge while cooping up yourself all day long in an air-conditioned place. More importantly, Museum Pass owners have unlimited admission to the permanent and special exhibitions (unless otherwise specified) of LCSD Museums mentioned below.   Science The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Big Eight – Dinosaur Revelation The Hong Kong Science Museum showcases eight of the most iconic creatures from the “Golden Age of Dinosaurs” together. The exhibition boasts an unrivalled amount of original fossil material, some of the most complete fossil skeletons in the world, world-class artwork, cutting-edge 3D renderings and the first scientifically accurate reconstructions of the world's largest predatory dinosaur and the world's largest flying creature to create an exhibition that will reveal entirely novel scientific insights. The exhibition will also inspire visitors to contemplate our own place in the grand story of evolution and the challenges threatening our future on this planet. Date: Until 16 November 2022 ; Close on Thursdays (except public holidays) Fee: Free * Online booking is required (The e-booking system will be updated at 10 am every Monday and bookings can be made for the upcoming week (excluding Thursday, the regular closing day). Updates will be made on a weekly basis.   Art The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Road to the Baroque — Masterpieces from the Capodimonte Museum Characterised by the dramatic contrast of light and dark, exaggerated movement and pronounced figures’ facial expressions, historians coined the term Baroque to define 17th century Italian art which focuses on high tension and realistic representations of emotions. Showcasing around 40 Neapolitan paintings from the Capodimonte Museum, its debut exhibition in Hong Kong includes works of 16th and 17th century masters, such as Titian, Annibale Carracci and Artemisia Gentileschi. Hong Kong Museum of Art, meanwhile, invites many artists to provide aural element and various creative media for a new art appreciation dimension. The audience thus able to enjoy an art experience that connects past and present. Click here for more details. Date: Until 2 November 2022 ; Close on Thursdays (except public holidays) Fee: Standard - $10, Museum Pass holders - Free   History and Culture The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Dunhuang: Enchanting Tales for Millennium Hong Kong Heritage Museum showcases artefacts, mural paintings, reproduction of paintings in silk and a replica of Yulin Cave 25. Visitors are invited to a feast of visual splendour with a series of art-tech display and multi-media programmes to experience and appreciate the worldly and heavenly aspirations of ancient forebears in their pursuit of the true, the good and the beautiful in the Buddhism realm of Dunhuang. Date: 24 August 2022 – 21 November 2022 ; Close on Tuesdays (except public holidays) Fee: Standard - $10, Museum Pass holders - Free In addition, there are more happenings in August:  Medialogue: So Close, Yet So Far Venue: Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, 7A Kennedy Road, Central   City Rhymes: The Melodious Venue: Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon   Hong Kong Pop 60+ Venue: Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, New Territories   Joyous Destiny: A Selection of Wedding Memorabilia from the Museum's Collections Venue: Hong Kong Museum of History, 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon   Please visit the website of LCSD’s Museums and LCSD Edutainment Channel for the latest visiting arrangements.

The Science Behind Dalgona Coffee

Coffee is one of the most common beverages. Then what is so special about the trendy Dalgona Coffee? Does the secret of the smooth and frothy foam lie in the caffeine of coffee? Let’s find out the answer from the video with Paulina, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Science Museum and Dr. Emily, Assistant Professor of Science Education, Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology!

【Literature 101】Stream of Consciousness

LCSD Edutainment Channel【Literature 101】【Literature 101】Stream of Consciousness Episode 1 (Content in Chinese only) 【Literature 101】Stream of Consciousness Episode 2 (Content in Chinese only) 【Literature 101】Stream of Consciousness Episode 3 (Content in Chinese only) For more details, please visit the LCSD Edutainment Channel,or the website of Hong Kong Public Libraries.

Latest arrangements on LCSD leisure venues and sports facilities (Updated on 4/5/2022)

In view of the relaxation of some social distancing measures announced by the Government, some leisure venues are reopened from April 21 (Thursday), and more venues reopened gradually by phases from May 5 (Thursday). Beaches and swimming pools to be reopenedThe gazetted beaches reopened on May 5, while the lifeguard services are provided at 15 gazetted beaches. All water sports centres also reopened from May 5. Please click here for details of the beaches concerned. Lifeguard services are provided daily at the 15 gazetted beaches from 9am to 6pm. Apart from the 15 gazetted beaches mentioned above, lifeguard services at other beaches remain suspended. The public should not swim at the beaches without lifeguard services to prevent accidents. To ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the water quality of its swimming pools and swimmers' safety, the LCSD is conducting the process of filtration and sterilisation and collecting water samples for testing. 38 public swimming pools will reopen gradually from May 12 to 16. Please click here for details of the reopening arrangement. Public are not required to wear mask when doing exerciseStarting from May 5, public are not required to wear mask when doing exercise at the LCSD's outdoor sports premises. In view of the second phase of relaxation of social distancing, the public is not required to wear mask when doing exercise within any indoor sports premises starting from May 19.Leisure venues and facilities to be reopenedFacilities to be reopened include indoor sports facilities such as sports centres (including children's play rooms), squash centres/stand-alone squash centres, table tennis centres, badminton centres, the Hong Kong Velodrome and the sports facilities of the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and outdoor sports facilities (including sports grounds, tennis courts, bowling greens, soccer pitches, hockey grounds, archery ranges, sports climbing facilities, golf driving ranges, basketball courts, volleyball courts, handball courts, netball courts, cricket grounds, baseball courts, rugby pitches, badminton courts, table tennis tables, roller hockey grounds, roller skating rinks, gateball courts, Shek O Obstacle Golf Course, cycling facilities, skateparks, skateboard grounds and the facilities of the Tuen Mun Recreation and Sports Centre). Other outdoor leisure facilities including model car play areas, model boat pools, boating parks, outdoor children's play facilities, fitness equipment, road safety towns, chess tables, pebble walking trails, amphitheatres (only for individual leisure use only) and wedding venues are reopened on the same day.Booking Service of Leisure LinkMembers of the public can book the above fee-charging facilities to be reopened via the Internet Booking Service of Leisure Link from April 16 (Saturday). The Booking Office of the District Leisure Services Offices (DLSOs) resumes operation from April 19 (Tuesday). Counter bookings and self-service kiosks at the above venues to be reopened resume operation on the same day of reopening (April 21). Regarding the booking of leisure facilities, the LCSD will adjust the quota of individual booking from a maximum of four hours play per day to a maximum of two hours play per day during non-peak hours for the same type of facility at individual venues. The quota of individual bookings per day during peak hours remains the same (a maximum of two hours play per day for the same type of facility). Moreover, the standby arrangement for non-fee charging land recreation and sports facilities also resume from May 20.On the other hand, applications from schools or organisations for use of amphitheatres and leisure venues for non-designated use/sales activities, and application from schools or organisations for road safety towns continue to be suspended until further notice. Refund arrangementsFor refund arrangements in relation to venue closures, the hirer may submit a completed refund application form together with the original booking permit to the DLSOs of the LCSD in person or by post, or to relevant leisure venues by post (the public can submit the application in person to relevant venues after the reopening), or make use of drop-in boxes located at the DLSOs. The refund application form can be downloaded from the LCSD website. Due to the closure of fee-charging facilities in relation to the situation of COVID-19, the number of refund cases will increase tremendously. The LCSD has adopted measures to handle these refund cases as soon as possible but a prolonged processing time for refunds is expected. Members of the public are advised to note the longer time required for refunds. The department apologises for any inconvenience caused.Take note of social distancingMembers of the public should take note of the latest requirements on mask wearing and the maximum number of players in related sports facilities as stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F). Each group of users must consist of no more than four persons. For team sports, the maximum number of players and referees to be allowed in each playing field/court at any time during competition or a training match should follow the rules and regulations of the respective sports competition. Special measuresVisitors to facilities of sports premises, public libraries, museums, performance venues and music centres will be subject to temperature checks and will need to use hand sanitiser before admission. They also need to wear their own masks. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures will be conducted at venues.The LCSD will pay close attention to the latest developments of the pandemic, as well as the requirements for scheduled premises as stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), and review or revise the above reopening arrangements in due course.  

Latest arrangements on cultural venues (Updated on 4/5/2022)

in view of the relaxation of some social distancing measures announced by the Government, some cultural venues are reopened from April 21 (Thursday), and more venues reopened gradually by phases from May 5 (Thursday).Public libraries and study rooms resume servicesAll public libraries resume services from April 21 and starting from May 19, the limit on the number of users in public libraries are suitably relaxed. Facilities to be reopened include the adult, young adult and children's libraries, the newspapers and periodicals areas, the Toy Library of Hong Kong Central Library and computer facilities. Students' study rooms are reopened on April 19 early with extended opening hours until May 31. All book drop services of public libraries and those located at MTR Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong Stations as well as the self-service library stations at Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Tsuen Nam Road, Tai Wai, will maintain services. The counting of overdue fines shall resume from May 5. Please visit the website of Hong Kong Public Libraries for details. Museums are reopenedAll museums (except the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence and the Sheung Yiu Folk Museum) are reopened on April 21. And starting from May 19, the limit on the number of users in museums are suitably relaxed. Public programmes will resume gradually. For public programmes to be held at museums, including the screeniing programmes of the Hong Kong Film Archive, the limit on the number of audiences/users and other arrangements are increased from 50 to 85 per cent of the original.Performance venues are reopenedAll performance venues (except for Tai Po Civic Centre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre and Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre) are reopened for performances or activities with live audiences from April 21 with special seating arrangements. The limit on the number of audiences/users in each facility of LCSD performance venues are relaxed starting from May 19, with capacity to be increased from 50 to 85 per cent of the original. Consecutive seats will be limited to eight. For details, please refer to the notifications of individual venues. Performers who are unable to wear masks during rehearsal or performance must take a government-recognised reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid test for COVID-19 and obtain a negative test result within seven days before their first entry to the performance venues, and undergo a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 every day before entry into the premises. For activities to be held in minor facilities of the performance venues such as music/dance studios and lecture/function/conference rooms, the number of users are limited to half of the original capacity in most cases. For the number of users, the number of participants in each cluster and other details, please refer to the notifications of individual venues. Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the hiring facilities. All hiring activities open to the public at outdoor facilities remain suspended.    URBTIXURBTIX maintains Internet and mobile app ticketing and hotline services. URBTIX outlets and ticket dispensing machines at LCSD performance venues resume operation together with the reopened venues from April 21 onwards. Ticket holders of cancelled events are advised to contact the respective event organisers or check their latest announcements on refund arrangements. For events for which organisers choose to arrange refunds at URBTIX outlets, details will be announced on the URBTIX webpage in due course.Music centres resume counter servicesAll music centres of the Music Office resume counter services from April 21. All instrumental music training classes, musicianship classes, and some outreach music courses organised by the Music Office will resume face-to-face classes on the same day. In light of public health considerations, both Chinese and Western wind instrumental classes will continue to be conducted online until further notice.Special measuresIn order to comply with the requirements stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, the LCSD will ensure necessary measures to be adopted at reopened venues. Users of sports premises, performance venues, museums and public libraries are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code before being allowed to enter for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. In accordance with the Prevention and Control of Disease (Vaccine Pass) Regulation (Cap. 599L) and relevant requirements of administrative instructions, all persons entering or remaining at sports premises or other indoor venues under the management of the LCSD must comply with the requirement of the Vaccine Pass. To expedite the process of admission, appeals are made to members of the public to download and install the "LeaveHomeSafe", "iAM Smart" or "eHealth" mobile app in advance and/or store the QR code of a COVID-19 vaccination record or COVID-19 vaccination medical exemption certificate in the app, or carry a paper copy of their COVID-19 vaccination record and/or COVID-19 vaccination medical exemption certificate printed with an encrypted QR code for scanning by the staff members of certain premises. Members of the public who opt for showing their COVID-19 vaccination record or exemption certificate printed without an encrypted QR code are reminded to arrive earlier to avoid delaying their visits as longer time is required for such registration.Visitors to facilities of sports premises, public libraries, museums, performance venues and music centres will be subject to temperature checks and will need to use hand sanitiser before admission. They also need to wear their own masks. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures will be conducted at venues.The LCSD will pay close attention to the latest developments of the pandemic, as well as the requirements for scheduled premises as stipulated in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F), and review or revise the above reopening arrangements in due course.

Zookeepers of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, where many people spend their leisure time, is the oldest and the most popular park in Hong Kong.The Gardens is a place with beautiful scenery and a wide variety of mammals and birds. These lovable animal stars, like yellow-casqued hornbill, great white pelican, American flamingo, white-faced saki and Asian small-clawed otter, grow healthily under the care of the zookeepers. Watch the video and learn more about the work of zookeepers from the sharing of Wah and Vincent. (The video is in Cantonese)

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Mainland Olympians delegation sports demonstrations and variety show

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Mainland Olympians delegation visited Hong Kong from 3 to 5 December, during which they gave sports demonstrations for members of the public and attended a variety show. Visits and activities details The delegation met the public and attended the "Sports Demonstrations by Mainland Olympians" from on 4 December. Two groups of athletes gave badminton, fencing, gymnastics and table tennis demonstrations at Queen Elizabeth Stadium and diving and swimming demonstrations at Victoria Park Swimming Pool. "Mainland Olympians Variety Show" was held at Queen Elizabeth Stadium on the same day, during which the public could see the athletes again. Revisit the sports demonstrations and variety show online Members of the public can revisit the programmes online via the Facebook fan page of Leisure and Cultural Services Department - LCSD Plusss (Videos are broadcast in Chinese): "Sports Demonstrations by Mainland Olympians" "Mainland Olympians Variety Show" For event rundowns and other arrangements, please visit the thematic webpage.

[Challenging!] Hiking Routes Recommendations (Difficulty: 4 to 5 stars ★★★★★)

It’s time for a hike as autumn approaches! For hikers who are seeking further challenges, you may visit the “4-star to 5-star” hiking routes recommended by the dedicated website “Enjoy Hiking” of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and “Difficult” routes recommended by “Hiking Scheme” website of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Choose your preferred route and plan a hike with friends and family members! (★=Easy | ★★=Moderate | ★★★=Demanding | ★★★★=Difficult | ★★★★★=Very Difficult)     *Please choose>>> Hong Kong Island North New Territories West New Territories Central New Territories Sai Kung Lantau Jardine’s Lookout - Quarry Bay(Difficulty: ★★★★)Start at Mount Butler Road, walk along Sir Cecil’s Ride and proceed to Tai Tam Reservoir Road, Jardine’s Lookout and Siu Ma Shan. Continue along Quarry Bay Tree Walk to Greig Road, Quarry Bay. This route largely follows Section 2 of the Wilson Trail⋯⋯Read moreTo Tei Wan - Big Wave Bay (Difficulty: ★★★★)Start at To Tei Wan, Shek O Road, and walk uphill to Shek O Peak.  Then walk along the ridge between the peak and Wan Cham Shan, which resembles the back of a dragon and is well known as Dragon’s Back (Lung Chek).  Though a bit steep on both sides, the ridge offers stunning sea views on the east and west coasts and magnificent scenery along the path⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Wilson Trail (Section 8) Yuen Tun Ha to Cloudy Hill (Difficulty: ★★★★)Section 8 does not fall within the area of country parks and it starts at Sheung Wun Yiu, San Uk Ka. From there to King Law Ka Shuk, Tai Po Tau Tsuen, it is a cultural tour – as early as the Ming dynasty, the hills were once a kiln site because of its abundant water resources from Tai Mo Shan and rich deposits of porcelain clay in the soil⋯⋯Read more Wilson Trail (Section 9) Cloudy Hill to Pat Sin Leng (Difficulty: ★★★★)Section 9 starts from the summit of Cloudy Hill and ends at Hsien Ku Fung, traversing Hok Tau Reservoir, Ping Fung Shan, and Pat Sin Leng. Immersed in the peace and tranquility of the landscape at Hok Tau Reservoir before you take the footpath at the junction⋯⋯Read more Wilson Trail (Section 10) Pat Sin Leng to Nam Chung (Difficulty: ★★★★)The last section is a scenic route as well as an easy hike. After descending from Hsien Ku Fung, the stone stairs lead down to Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail. Along the trail, you will wend your way through the deserted ancient village of Wang Shan Keuk Ha Tsuen⋯⋯Read more Ma Mei Ha - Luk Keng (Difficulty: ★★★★)Ascend Ping Teng Au from Tan Chuk Hang, walk along Nam Chung Country Trail and head toward Nam Chung via Lo Lung Tin.  Take in the views of the north-eastern part of the New Territories and the boundary at Sha Tau Kok along the way⋯⋯Read more Wu Kau Tang - Luk Keng (Difficulty: ★★★★)Enter the ancient footpath of Lai Tau Shek from Wu Kau Tang and proceed to Lai Chi Wo.  On the way, visit the ancient temple and the Hakka village.  Take a close look of the old banyan, white-flowered derris, hollow tree, mangroves and the buttress roots of looking glass trees⋯⋯Read more Wu Tip Shan - Lam Tsuen (Difficulty: ★★★★)Start from the entrance to the cement-paved Wu Tip Shan Path and walk uphill. The route involves mainly uphill sections with hillside steps and downhill footpaths, so make sure you are physically fit for it. There is a viewing platform in the section between Wu Tip Shan and Kei Lak Tsai, where you can enjoy the magnificent scenery of New Territories North⋯⋯Read more Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★★★)Completed in 1968, Plover Cove Reservoir is the second largest reservoir in Hong Kong in terms of the area it covers.  The many undulating slopes and the lack of supplies on this long hiking trail that skirts around the reservoir make it a test of experience and fitness⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) MacLehose Trail (Section 10) Tin Fu Tsai to Tuen Mun (Difficulty: ★★★★)The last section of the MacLehose Trail is the lengthiest one, crossing almost half of Tai Lam Country Park and extending to Tuen Mun Town. Kat Hing Bridge is at the intersection of streams and was once the main access connecting Yuen Long to Tsuen Wan. There used to be seven small crossing bridges⋯⋯Read moreYuen Tsuen Ancient Trail Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★★)Ancient trails used to be a key route for villagers to communicate and do trade with the outside world in the old days.  Many of them, including Nam Hang Pai Ancient Trail, Kap Lung Ancient Trail, and Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail, lie inside Tai Lam Country Park, which also has the greatest number of country trails.  Linking Yuen Long with Tsuen Wan⋯⋯Read more Tsuen King Circuit - Sham Tseng (Difficulty: ★★★★)Enter the Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail from Pun Shan Tsuen in Chai Wan Kok and follow the path around Shek Lung Kung.  Cross Tin Tsing Bridge and walk past Tin Fu Tsai Campsite to reach Tsing Fai Tong.  Walk westward for about 1 km to a junction and continue down the path heading south to Sham Tseng Settlement Basin⋯⋯Read more Chuen Lung - Shing Mun Reservoir (Difficulty: ★★★★)Start at Chuen Lung minibus station at Route Twist. Upon reaching Choi Lung Restaurant, follow the driveway leading to Chuen Lung Management Centre. Continue along the Lung Mun Country Trail and proceed to the Shing Mun Forest Track (Reservoir Section). Take the path on the right leading to Pineapple Dam, where you may visit the Butterfly Paradise on the way. The trip ends at Shing Mun Road⋯⋯Read more Wong Nai Tun - Tai Tong (Difficulty: ★★★★)Visit Yeung Ka Tsuen Old House in Tai Tong, and the three ancient temples around Pak Fu Au.  Get spectacular views of the “Thousand-lsland Lake” in Tai Lam Chung Reservoir while walking along the MacLehose Trail in the reverse direction and enjoying the beautiful scenery on the way⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) MacLehose Trail (Section 8) Lead Mine Pass to Route Twisk (Difficulty: ★★★★)Hong Kong used to have many mine sites, one of which was Lead Mine Pass. There were mining activities in the east of the present day Shing Mun Country Park in as early as the 1930s. The mine sites have gone derelict since the 1960s as a result of the emergence of a large number of overseas large-scale mine sites and the plummeting price of ore⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) MacLehose Trail (Section 2) Long Ke to Pak Tam Au (Difficulty: ★★★★)MacLehose Trail Section 2 is one of the phenomenally popular hiking trails, and this is the best section for you to feel the beauty of the coast of Hong Kong.  At the start of MacLehose Trail Section 2 is the steep, 314-metre Sai Wan Shan; only after descending from this mountain can you reach Sai Wan beach, otherwise known as “the Maldives of Hong Kong”⋯⋯Read moreMacLehose Trail (Section 3) Pak Tam Au to Kei Ling Ha (Difficulty: ★★★★)Featuring undulating mountains with a steep gradient, the third section of the MacLehose Trail is definitely one of the top three in terms of difficulty. With the trail traversing Ngam Tau Shan, Wa Mei Shan, Lui Ta Shek and Kai Kun Shan, their dazzling heights at around 400 metres above sea level can offer you distinct appearances of the rolling mountains from different angles⋯⋯⋯Read moreMacLehose Trail (Section 4) Kei Ling Ha to Tate's Cairn (Difficulty: ★★★★)The fourth section of the MacLehose Trail is another gateway to even more breath-taking scenery, as the saying “Perfection knows no limits” goes. Go through Wong Chuk Yeung Village from Shui Long Wo, and then climb up to the 555-metre high Ma On Shan ridge. Although by no means an easy section, it commands Yim Tin Tsai and Kau Sai Chau from a height – the higher you are, the farther you can see⋯⋯Read moreTai Long Wan Hiking Trail (Difficulty: ★★★★)Starting at Sai Wan Pavilion, this immensely popular hiking trail first traverses Sai Wan and then Ham Tin Wan, both of which face the Pacific Ocean. It never ceases to amaze visitors with such landforms as streams and estuaries as well as turquoise water and fine sand⋯⋯⋯Read moreLau Shui Heung - Tai Po Tau (Difficulty: ★★★★)Start at Lau Shui Heung Reservoir and take the country trail on the right.  After passing Lau Shui Bridge, cross Lung Shan Bridge and walk through Kat Tsai Shan Au.  Walk slowly up Cloudy Hill (Kau Lung Hang Shan) located on the western boundary of Pat Sin Leng Country Park and enjoy a spectacular view of Tolo Harbour and Tai Po lying at the foot of the mountains in the north-eastern part of New Territories.  Continue along Section 8 of the Wilson Trail in the reverse direction to reach Tai Po Tau, where dining and entertainment options are conveniently available⋯⋯Read moreTai Au Mun - Hang Hau (Difficulty: ★★★★)Start at Tai Au Mun, walk slowly up the south-facing slope of High Junk Peak (Tiu Yue Yung), which is one of the three steepest climbs in Sai Kung with an elevation of 344 metres.  Carry on along the north side of the ridge toward Sheung Yeung Shan.  Visit Mang Kung Uk by the hillside and walk down the slope to Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O through Wo Tong Gong⋯⋯Read moreUk Tau - Wong Shek - Hoi Ha (Difficulty: ★★★★)Visit the coastal mangroves at Uk Tau, Sai Kung before taking the Wong Shek Family Walk to Tai Tan.  Enter the Tai Tan Country Trail and enjoy the magnificent scenery of Tap Mun and Ko Lau Wan.  Follow the path around Lan Lo Au until you reach Hoi Ha Wan, visit the “Drumming Rock” and enjoy a spectacular view of Hoi Ha Wan⋯⋯⋯Read moreHau Tong Kai - Pak Tam Au (Difficulty: ★★★★)Walk into the tranquil woods from Hau Tong Kai, Sai Kung.  Climb slowly up the path leading to the mountain village Cheung Sheung and proceed to Au Mun to explore the views of Jacob’s Ladder, Yung Shue O Village and Kei Ling Ha Hoi.  In the afternoon, climb Ngau Yee Shek Shan (440m) and walk along Section 3 of the MacLehose Trail down to Pak Tam Au⋯⋯⋯Read moreChui Tung Au – Pak Tam Au (Difficulty: ★★★★)Start at Sai Wan Pavilion to Chui Tung Au and walk downhill to Sai Wan and Ham Tin Wan, where you can explore the beautiful beaches with powdery sand and clear water. Walk up to Tai Long Au and head toward Pak Tam Au via Chek Keng on the return leg. This is a rather long route with uphill and downhill sections offering splendid scenery but no breakaway points⋯⋯Read morePak Sha O - Shui Long Wo(Difficulty: ★★★★)Enter a concrete path after reaching the road sign for Pak Sha O on Hoi Ha Road. Walk to She Shek Au via Ha Yeung and Nam Shan Tung.  Go downhill, walk past an old church and proceed to Sham Chung, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of a vast area of grassland.  Walk along the coastal path which leads to Yung Shue O through an area of mangroves.  Then walk along the catchwatch to Shui Long Wo while taking in the wonderful sunset views over Three Fathoms Cove⋯⋯Read more Devil's Peak - Tseng Lan Shue (Difficulty: ★★★★)Start at W020 of Wilson Trail and walk slowly up to the relics on Devil’s Peak (Pau Toi Shan) (Note: the path leading to the wartime ruins is rather rugged).  Get a panoramic view of the eastern part of Hong Kong Island and Yau Tong.  Continue up the path to a morning walker garden on Black Hill (304m) and have a bird’s eye view of the much changed Tseung Kwan O⋯⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Chi Ma Wan Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★★)Chi Ma Wan Country Trail, with a total length of 18.5 kilometres, starts and ends at Shap Long Campsite.  The trail almost circumnavigates Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, offering hikers vistas of Pui O Bay, Ham Tin Village and Cheung Sha⋯⋯Read more Lantau Trail (Section 2) Nam Shan to Pak Kung Au (Difficulty: ★★★★)Adorned with a seemingly limitless sea of silvergrass at an elevation of 869 metres and 749 metres respectively, Sunset Peak and Yi Tung Shan have not only been a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, but also a magnet for photography aficionados.  You can reach them by walking along the stone steps from the barbecue site at Nam Shan Au, the start point of Section Two of the Lantau Trail⋯⋯Read more Lantau Trail (Section 3) Pak Kung Au to Ngong Ping (Difficulty: ★★★★)Before Hong Kong became a city and a trading port, Lantau Peak had always been referred to as ‘Lan Tau’, which is the romanisation of the words ‘broken head’ in Chinese, by local villagers because the outline of its summit looks broken apart.  In the 19th century when the British came to Hong Kong, the whole island was called the same name; this is how Lantau Island got its name⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) (The information are provided by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Leisure and Cultural Services Department)

[Intermediate!] Hiking Routes Recommendations (Difficulty: 2 to 3 stars ★★★)

It’s time for a hike as autumn approaches! For intermediary level hikers, you may visit the “2-star to 3-star” hiking routes recommended by the dedicated website “Enjoy Hiking” of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and “Moderate” routes recommended by the “Hiking Scheme” website of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Choose your preferred route and plan a hike with friends and family members! (★=Easy | ★★=Moderate | ★★★=Demanding | ★★★★=Difficult | ★★★★★=Very Difficult)     *Please choose>>> Hong Kong Island North New Territories West New Territories Central New Territories Sai Kung Lantau Hong Kong Trail (Section 1) The Peak to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road (Difficulty: ★★)The bird’s eye view of Victoria Harbour from Victoria Peak is unquestionably Hong Kong’s most iconic view.  Apart from the pavilion scene often featured on postcards, an even more sweeping vista is offered⋯⋯Read moreHong Kong Trail (Section 2) Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road to Peel Rise (Difficulty: ★★)The second leg of the Hong Kong Trail starts at Pok Fu Lam Reservoir, the first reservoir in Hong Kong, which was completed in 1863 and extended in 1877 to meet the needs of the residents on Hong Kong Island⋯⋯Read more Hong Kong Trail (Section 3) Peel Rise to Wan Chai Gap (Difficulty: ★★)Street names in Hong Kong provide a window into the history of our city.  One such example is Peel Rise, which was named after the 18th Governor of Hong Kong.  Section 3 of the Hong Kong Trail starts here and begins with a brief ascent⋯⋯Read moreHong Kong Trail (Section 4) Wan Chai Gap to Wong Nai Chung Gap (Difficulty: ★★)If there is a place to learn all about the flora and the history of Hong Kong, it has to be its countryside.  Section 4 of the Hong Kong Trail starts at Lady Clementi’s Ride, which was named after the wife of the 17th Governor of Hong Kong Sir Cecil Clementi⋯⋯Read moreHong Kong Trail (Section 6) Mount Parker Road to Tai Tam Road (Difficulty: ★★)Section 6 of the Hong Kong Trail starts at Quarry Gap at an elevation of over 300 metres.  The towering trees by the sides of Mount Parker Road form a canopy of leaves that spreads all the way to the road⋯⋯Read moreHong Kong Trail (Section 7) Tai Tam Road to To Tei Wan (Difficulty: ★★)Section 7 is one of the easiest sections of the entire Hong Kong Trail.  The beginning part of the trail is surrounded with trees, but further down the trail the vista is gradually less unobstructed.  Follow the Tai Tam East catchwater at the start point and you will be greeted with the delightful scenery of Tai Tam Bay and Red Hill Peninsula⋯⋯Read moreHong Pak Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Situated around Quarry Bay and Tai Koo Shing, Hong Pak Country Trail brings you not only green vistas of the surrounding mountain ranges and scenes of birds chirping and flowers blooming, but also interesting looking rocks scattering along the path⋯⋯Read morePeak Trail (High West Section) (Difficulty: ★★)Legend has it that early inhabitants of Hong Kong Island found a red incense burner that drifted ashore, believing that it was a gift from Tin Hau and the highest summit on the island ‘Lo Fung’⋯⋯Read morePeak Trail (Pinewood Battery Section) (Difficulty: ★★)Legend has it that early inhabitants of Hong Kong Island found a red incense burner that drifted ashore, believing that it was a gift from Tin Hau and the highest summit on the island ‘Lo Fung’⋯⋯Read morePottinger Peak Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)If you are looking for a level route that can be accessed easily, there is no better place than Pottinger Peak Country Trail, the starting point of which is very close to the heart of Chai Wan.  Embarking at Ma Tong Au of Shek O, you will be greeted with broad views when you go past the catchment⋯⋯Read more Shek O - Siu Sai Wan (Difficulty: ★★★)Walk up Tai Tau Chau from Shek O Headland to watch the waves.  Cross the Lover’s Bridge and then return to Shek O Country Club and Golf Course.  Continue along the driveway leading to Big Wave Bay and pay a visit to the Ancient Rock Carving.  Then walk up Pottinger Peak and cross Cape Collinson Road on the way down to Siu Sai Wan Promenade⋯⋯Read more Jardine’s Lookout - Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir (Difficulty: ★★★)Follow Sir Cecil’s Ride until you arrive at Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park.  Then enter Tze Lo Lan Shan Path, which leads to Tsin Shui Wan Au, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay on the way.  Proceed to Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir via a meandering path and visit the century-old British style masonry bridges⋯⋯Read more Wan Chai Gap - Aberdeen Reservoirs (Difficulty: ★★★)The Southern District on Hong Kong Island offers splendid natural scenery, especially the areas in the vicinity of Aberdeen Upper and Lower Reservoirs.  Meandering between the two reservoirs is Lady Clementi’s Ride, which was an important military post during the Second World War.  Follow the catchwater and the footpath on the hillside, walk past the reservoirs and proceed to Reel Rise along the footpath⋯⋯Read more Wan Chai Gap - Jardine’s Lookout (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at Wan Chai Gap, walk along Middle Gap Road and then take the footpath at the end of the road to Middle Gap.  Head east along Black’s Link to Wong Nai Chung Gap.  Take Sir Cecil’s Ride, walk past Sir Cecil’s Garden and proceed to Mount Butler Road⋯⋯Read more Braemar Hill - Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at Braemar Hill Road Playground and proceed to Sir Cecil’s Ride and Tai Fung Au via a footpath behind the stairs on the left side of St. Joan of Arc Secondary School. Then visit Tai Lam Reservoirs and enjoy the scenery along the way with a stopover at the century-old British style masonry arch bridge⋯⋯Read more Hong Kong Trail (Section 5) Wong Nai Chung Gap to Mount Parker Road (Difficulty: ★★★)Section 5 of the trail begins at Wong Nai Chung Reservoir.  The construction of the reservoir was one of the measures to improve water supply resources in the wake of the outbreak of plague in 1894. Completed in 1899, the reservoir was originally an ancillary water source to the Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs⋯⋯Read more Hong Kong Trail (Section 8) To Tei Wan to Tai Long Wan (Difficulty: ★★★)Hong Kong Island is surrounded by sea, so stretches of coastline come into full view when you gaze in the distance from high ground.  The last as well as the longest section of the Hong Kong Trail is popular among hikers as it spans Dragon’s Back, which was hailed by international magazines as Asia’s best urban hike⋯⋯Read more Tai Tam Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)Not only does Tai Tam Country Trail offer a getaway from the hustle and bustle, it is also a place to learn about the history of Hong Kong⋯⋯Read more Wilson Trail (Section 1) Stanley Gap Road to Wong Nai Chung Reservoir (Difficulty: ★★★)The uphill slopes on the Wilson Trail are too many to count, making it a trail to be reckoned with. Soon after the first section of the trail starts, hikers have to climb over a thousand stone steps to scale the South Twins, which is 386 metres above sea level, and the North Twins, which is 363 metres above sea level.⋯⋯Read more Wilson Trail (Section 2) Wong Nai Chung Reservoir to Lam Tin (Difficulty: ★★★)The hiking trail starts from Hong Kong Parkview and is next to Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, which was completed in 1899 and is one of the six reservoirs built before the war. You can then amble away from the serenity of the Southern District into the mountains of the Eastern District. We, when in Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, may not be aware that the city is surrounded by mountains⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Ping Chau Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Situated at the northeasternmost side of Hong Kong, Ping Chau is composed of sedimentary rocks.  The island generously showcases the ancient skeleton of the Earth in a way that it serves like a geological museum⋯⋯Read moreTai Po Kau Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★★)If you want to explore the rich biodiversity of forests, there is no better place than Tai Po Kau Nature Trail. Located inside Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, the trail is a home to more than a hundred species of trees⋯⋯Read moreWu Kau Tang Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Feng Shui and numerology play an important part in Chinese culture.  Legend has it that Wu Kau Tang, initially named ‘Wu Kwai Tin’, which literally means ‘Tortoise Field’, was renamed so because of the negative connotation attached to tortoises; villagers in the New Territories replaced ‘Kwai’ with ‘Kau’, taking the auspicious meaning of the dragon and phoenix⋯⋯Read morePat Sin Leng Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Pat Sin Leng, an important mountain range in North East New Territories, is a popular destination for hikers because of its history and scenery⋯⋯Read moreKat O Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Kat O was formed as a result of violent volcanic eruptions. In the region there are also other spectacular geological landforms, like Monk Viewing the Sea, which was formed by weathering, and Kai Kung Tau⋯⋯Read moreHok Tau Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Offering a rare but pastoral scene with many farmhouses and farms that produce a type of local cabbages, Hok Tau is a great place for family weekend trips.  The entrance of Hok Tau Country Trail is an area of neatly arranged area of plantations⋯⋯Read more Wu Kau Tang - Wu Kau Tang (Difficulty: ★★★)Visit the villages in Wu Kau Tang in the northeastern part of the New Territories and get a good view of Tiu Tang Lung.  Walk down the ancient footpath of Lai Tau Shek to explore the magnificent scenery of Sam A Wan and Sam A Chung.  Taste some Hakka snacks at Sam A Tsuen, visit Miu Sam Stream and walk along the ancient stone path of Miu Sam before heading back to Wu Kau Tang⋯⋯Read more Fu Tei Au - Wo Keng Shan (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at Fu Tei Au, Sheung Shui and proceed to Wa Shan, which resembles the Great Wall.  Walk up to Tai Ling Stele and take a look at the stone tablet erected during the Daoguang reign of Qing Dynasty.  Get a view of San Wai/Tai Ling Firing Range from afar and continue along the ridge.  The trip ends when you arrive at a rock nicknamed “Ta Tung Tung Shek” in Wo Keng Shan⋯⋯Read more Hok Tau - Fung Yuen (Difficulty: ★★★)Follow Hok Tau Road and walk past Hok Tau Campsite to reach Hok Tau Reservoir.  Proceed to Cheung Uk via the ancient path and visit Sha Lo Tung Valley before walking downhill to Ting Kok Road through a vehicular access or via Fung Yuen.  The route covers ancient stone paths, hillside footpaths and vehicular access⋯⋯Read more Double Haven Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)Some people say the history of Hong Kong is all about migration; in particular, Hakka culture plays a major role in it.  Located on the northeastern shore of Plover Cove Country Park, Lai Chi Wo is home to a well-preserved Hakka walled village with a history of more than 400 years⋯⋯Read more Lau Shui Heung Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)Lau Shui Heung, a feast for the eyes and ears, certainly lives up to its name. The start point Lau Shui Heung Reservoir, which is called ‘the Mirror of the Sky in the Forest’ among hikers, is a fairyland – in the morning it is cloaked in mist⋯⋯Read more Nam Chung Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)Situated close to the north eastern border, Nam Chung does not have precipitous cliffs or turbulent streams. But what it does have among the abandoned fishponds and fields is the nostalgic scenery of rural Hong Kong, with natural landscape of mangroves, freshwater marshes⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) MacLehose Trail (Section 9)Route Twisk to Tin Fu Tsai (Difficulty: ★★)There is an observation deck soon after the trail starts. To the south, Tsuen Wan and Stonecutters Bridge are in view, while to the north is Ho Pui Irrigation Reservoir, which is encircled by forests⋯⋯Read moreFu Tei Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)For the many places whose historical side has been swallowed up by towering skyscrapers, names are all that is left.  One such example is Fu Tei, Tuen Mun, where, according to legend, tigers could be spotted.  The pity of it is that the truth of it will always remain a mystery⋯⋯Read more Kap Lung Ancient Trail Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)With its name originating from Kap Lung Village, Kap Lung Ancient Trail is one of those old trails with a long history. Kap Lung Village, which is only home to 2 households currently, has a span of history of more than 2 centuries. Bridging Kap Lung and Tsuen Kam Au⋯⋯Read moreTai Tong Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★★)It would be no exaggeration to say that Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods is where Hong Kong people’s craze for sweet gum trees started. In winter, the leaves of sweet gum trees turn red and can be seen in the nearby Tai Tong Nature Trail, which is not lined with sweet gum trees though⋯⋯Read more Tsuen Kam Au - Fu Yung Shan (Difficulty: ★★★)Walk along the Hiking Practice Trail in Tai Mo Shan before entering the Rotary Park Nature Trail.  Walk down the trail until you reach the watercress fields at Chuen Lung Village.  Then take the tranquil path in the south of Tai Mo Shan and visit the 4-faced Buddha statue at Chuk Lam Sim Yuen, Fu Yung Shan, before proceeding to Tsuen Wan⋯⋯Read more Ma On Kong - Tsing Lung Tau (Difficulty: ★★★)Tai Lam Country Park is a popular outing destination renowned for its beautiful forest plantation and the picturesque Tai Lam Reservoir.   Tai Lam Country Park has a well-developed network of footpaths with 12 named hiking routes, ranking first among country parks in Hong Kong in terms of the number of routes⋯⋯Read more Tai Tong - Ho Pui (Difficulty: ★★★)Visit the sweet gum woods in Tai Tong and stroll along the tree-lined path, which gives you a feeling of walking in a European-style garden. In winter, the woods become a popular attraction in Hong Kong when the leaves of the sweet gum trees turn red. Visit Kat Hing Bridge, take the forest track and the footpath on the right leading to Ho Pui Reservoir⋯⋯Read more Lung Mun Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)Every hike at Lung Mun Country Trail starts with "eating", as Yum Cha in the morning in Chuen Lung has been seen as "the launching ceremony" here.  Situated around the mid slope of Tai Mo Shan, this Hakka village⋯⋯Read more Tai Lam Chung Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)To enjoy the scenic beauty of Yuen Long, the best way is to walk in the mountains.  Tai Lam Chung Country Trail begins at Ma On Kong Warden Post, which is in close vicinity of Tai Lam Tunnel⋯⋯Read more Tai Lam Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)Having the longest span among all other nature trails in country parks in Hong Kong and featuring many undulating sections, Tai Lam Nature Trail is only suitable for the fit and experienced⋯⋯Read more Yuen Tun Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)The Hakka form an integral part of indigenous residents of Hong Kong.  Nowadays, if you like to have a taste of the culture, Yuen Tun Country Trail is definitely the right place for you⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Ma On Shan Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)With rich deposits of magnetite and haematite in the granite of Ma On Shan, mining activities were recorded between 1906 and 1976 and ores can still be found with a magnet today⋯⋯Read more MacLehose Trail (Section 6) Tai Po Road to Shing Mun (Difficulty: ★★)The sixth section is the shortest and easiest section of the MacLehose Trail.  It is, therefore, quite popular among novice hikers. Leaving from Tai Po Road for Shing Mun Reservoir via Kowloon Reservoir⋯⋯Read more Wilson Trail (Section 5) Sha Tin Pass to Tai Po Road (Difficulty: ★★)If you are a rookie hiker or looking for a family-friendly hike, this section, which enjoys views of much of Sha Tin, Tai Wai, Tolo Harbour, and as far as Ma On Shan, has you covered⋯⋯Read moreWilson Trail (Section 6) Tai Po Road to Shing Mun Reservoir (Difficulty: ★★)Traversing Kowloon Reservoir and Shing Mun Reservoir, Section 6 of the Wilson Trail offers a stunning spectacle not to be missed, with azure blue water and luxuriant trees complementing each other⋯⋯Read more Shing Mun Reservoir - Pai Tau Village (Difficulty: ★★★)Shing Mun Country Park, located south east of Tai Mo Shan, is full of intersecting footpaths and lyrical scenery.  The Shing Mun Reservoir lying amid lush hills, reservoir walks, Tai Shing Stream, woodlands of paperbark trees and the arboretum are the major attractions.  Walk along the woodland paths around the reservoir and head for Sha Tin via To Fung Shan after crossing the pass between Grassy and Needle Hills⋯⋯Read more Ma On Shan - Ngong Ping - Tai Shui Hang (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at Ma On Shan Country Park Management Centre and walk along the Ma On Shan Country Trail to the viewing platform at Ngong Ping Campsite.  Then, walk downhill via Mau Ping to Chevalier Garden.  This route comprises an uphill section and a downhill section with easy footpaths and vehicular access⋯⋯Read more Wong Nai Tau - Pak Sha Wan (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at Wong Nai Tau, Sha Tin, walk slowly up Shek Nga Pui, and take the path around West Buffalo Hill and Buffalo Hill.  Then cross Buffalo Pass (Ta She Yau Au) to reach Pak Sha Wan.  The route is slightly rugged with uphill and downhill sections⋯⋯Read more Tai Mei Tuk - Luk Keng (Difficulty: ★★★)Walk to Spring Breeze Pavilion from the Plover Cove Country Park Tai Mei Tuk Management Centre under Monkey Cliff and Hsien Ku Fung.  Carry on along the Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail and enjoy the views of Plover Cove Reservoir from afar.  Pass through Wang Shan Keuk Ha Tsuen and Sheung Tsuen to reach the rolling hillside⋯⋯Read more Wong Nai Tau - Pak Kong (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at Wong Nai Tau, Sha Tin, pass Nui Po Au and follow the ancient path to Mui Tsz Lam Village.  Continue along the ancient stone-paved footpath to Mau Ping. The pavilion at the lush lawn is the former site of a village school.  Walk down the ancient path leading to Pak Kong, Sai Kung to end the trip⋯⋯Read more Tsung Tsai Yuen - Wun Yiu (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at Tsung Tsai Yuen and walk past the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve to Lead Mine Pass.  Continue along the tranquil downhill path to Wun Yiu and visit the historical Fan Sin Temple.  The route is quite long and comprises mainly restricted  access⋯⋯Read more Shui Chuen O - Monkey Hill (Difficulty: ★★★)Take the path between Girl Guides Association Pok Hong Campsite and Shui Chuen O Estate, Sha Tin to Sha Tin Pass.  Continue along Unicorn Ridge and the path on the north side of the Lion Rock.  Proceed to Kowloon Pass and Beacon Hill before arriving at Tai Po Road via the Eagle’s Nest Nature Trail⋯⋯Read more Monkey Hill - Shing Mun Reservoir (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at Kowloon Reservoir and walk northward along Golden Hill Road.  Follow the sign and continue along Section 6 of the MacLehose Trail. Climb the steps on the right and enter a gentle uphill footpath, which offers close-up views of the buildings at the bottom of the slope and distant views of Tai Mo Shan and the neighbouring ridges⋯⋯Read more Kong Ha Au - Luk Keng (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at Kong Ha Au on Bride’s Pool Road, proceed to A Ma Wat and take a look at the stele in Fan Shui Au.  Walk downhill along an ancient path to get a view of the old banyan tree at Kuk Po.  Walk toward Luk Keng via Kai Kuk Shue Ha and enjoy the coastal scenery on the way⋯⋯Read more MacLehose Trail (Section 5) Tate's Cairn to Tai Po Road (Difficulty: ★★★)The MacLehose Trail spreads over many mountains, with its fifth section being the closest to the urban ares and a relatively easier section. You might come across a lot of relics of World War II, such as grounds holes and trenches⋯⋯Read more MacLehose Trail (Section 7) Shing Mun to Lead Mine Pass (Difficulty: ★★★)Shing Mun Reservoir was built in 1937. Its main dam, steel bridge, valve tower and bellmouth overflow have been graded as Grade I historic buildings, making the reservoir one of the most popular hiking spots among Hong Kong people⋯⋯Read more War Relics Trail (Lion Rock and Ma On Shan) (Difficulty: ★★★)Some 80 years ago, Hong Kong witnessed the Battle of Hong Kong. In the 1930s, before the outbreak of the Second World War, the British military authorities constructed a defence line known as ‘the Gin Drinker’s Line’ along with such military installations⋯⋯Read more Wilson Trail (Section 4) Tseng Lan Shue to Sha Tin Pass (Difficulty: ★★★)Victoria Peak is known as one of the best spots to enjoy the Hong Kong cityscape at night. However, not many people know Section 4 of the Wilson Trail offers comparable views, as you can watch the sun bid the city good evening and illuminate the entire Kowloon East from Tung Shan Pavilion⋯⋯Read more Wilson Trail (Section 7) Shing Mun Reservoir to Yuen Tun Ha (Difficulty: ★★★)Boasting majestic mountain scenery paired with magnificent reservoir views while being safe from the threat of tidal waves, reservoirs in Hong Kong have always been ideal for locals who want a weekend getaway⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Cheung Sheung Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Cheung Sheung, surrounded by steep spurs, is one of those rare marshes situated on a plateau.  The word ‘Cheung’ and the uniquely magnificent views stem from the surrounding layers of mountains⋯⋯Read moreHigh Island Geo Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Geological wonders are not necessarily situated on remote outlying islands. Some world-class landforms lie at the High Island Reservoir east dam, which is just a 40-minute drive from Sai Kung town centre⋯⋯Read moreLung Ha Wan Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Lung Ha Wan Country Trail is well equipped with recreational facilities such as a barbecue site and a refreshment kiosk at the start point Tai Hang Tun Park as well as a kite-flying site not far from the entrance.  With a lot to offer, the route is easy to plan and very suitable for citizens with a hectic urban life and hiking beginners⋯⋯Read moreSheung Yiu Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Merging with Pak Tam Chung Nature Trail, Sheung Yiu Country Trail has its starting point situated near Sheung Yiu Folk Museum, which is reconstructed from a 100-year-old Hakka village, and a lime kiln, which was the site for producing lime from coral skeletons.  Through visiting the museum and lime kiln, hikers will get a glimpse of the life of indigenous residents of Sai Kung⋯⋯Read moreTai Tan Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Hong Kong, surrounded by water on three sides, possesses clear and beautiful coastlines.  Offering unique and varying vistas of the coasts in Sai Kung, the rocky Tai Tan Country Trail consists of shady hiking trail, footpaths near streams, and gravel paths⋯⋯Read more Shui Long Wo – Pak Tam Chung (Difficulty: ★★★)Starting from Shui Long Wo, the walk takes you along the coast and catchwater before continuing to Yung Shue O, giving you unparalleled vistas of Three Fathoms Cove (Kei Ling Ha Hoi). Then walk up to Pak Tam along the path via Yung Pak Corridor and pass through the farmland and villages of the Christian New Being Fellowship before ending the walk at Pak Tam Chung⋯⋯Read more Pak Tam Chung - Tai Mong Tsai (Difficulty: ★★★)Walk along Pak Tam Chung Family Walk and proceed to Pak Tam.  Continue along Yung Pak Corridor before entering Section 3 of the MacLehose Trail.  Then head for Tai Mong Tsai via Lui Ta Shek and Shek Hang.  This tranquil route is well-shaded by trees with sound of chirping birds and buzzing insects along the way.   You can enjoy a close-up view of Kai Kung Shan and Lui Ta Shek after passing through the forest, and a panoramic view of Plover Cove Reservoir and Pat Sin Leng is visible from a distance⋯⋯Read more Tai Au Mun - Tai Hang Tun (Difficulty: ★★★)Walk toward Cham Shan Monastery along Lung Ha Wan Road and visit the ancient rock carving at Lung Ha Wan.  Ascend Tai Leng Tung (291 m) to get a bird’s eye view of “East Sea” (i.e. Sai Kung Hoi).  Then walk down to the popular outing spot in Tai Hang Tun and watch the colourful kites flying in the sky⋯⋯Read more Tai Au Mun - Tai Miu Au (Difficulty: ★★★)Walk slowly up High Junk Peak from Tai Au Mun and proceed to Tin Ha Shan (273 m).  Get a good view of Tai Miu Wan (Fat Tong Mun) and the ancient landscape of Tung Lung Chau.  Visit the Tin Hau Temple (Tai Miu) and rock carving at Tai Miu Wan⋯⋯Read more High Junk Peak Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)Soaring at an altitude of 344 metres with pointed edges, High Junk Peak, the highest summit in Clearwater Bay Peninsula, is crowned the title of one of the three steepest climbs in Sai Kung along with Sharp Peak and Tai Yue Ngam Teng in Sai Kung East Country Park⋯⋯Read more Luk Wu Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)It is not uncommon to think of trails near the water during summer. Along Luk Wu Country Trail, hiking enthusiasts can enjoy extensive views of High Island Reservoir on the south and Tai Long Wan on the east. Also, they can have the chance to walk past Sheung Luk Stream, which is hailed as one of the nine famous streams locally, and receive a cool break for their eyes⋯⋯Read more MacLehose Trail (Section 1)Pak Tam Chung to Long Ke (Difficulty: ★★★)Many people are envious of the beaches overseas, which are as crystal-clear as glass. Sai Kung, in fact, also has a glassy reservoir awaiting your visit. The section between Pak Tam Chung and Long Ke, albeit quite long, has a gentle slope and is therefore a somewhat comfortable start to a hike⋯⋯Read more Pak Tam Chung to Biu Tsim Kok Hiking Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)The section between Pak Tam Chung and the East Dam at High Island Reservoir, albeit quite long, has a gentle slope and is therefore a somewhat comfortable start to a hike. Commanding the best view in this section is unequivocally the clear and blue High Island Reservoir⋯⋯Read more Wilson Trail (Section 3) Lam Tin to Tseng Lan Shue (Difficulty: ★★★)The Wilson Trail spans Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, with the second section and the third being separated by Victoria Harbour. As the start point of Kowloon sections, the third section guides you through several war relics⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Lantau Trail (Section 4) Ngong Ping to Sham Wat Road (Difficulty: ★★)Section 4 begins at Ngong Ping, where the Wisdom Path, a landscaped installation of 38 massive wooden pillars arranged in the pattern of the infinity symbol, is seen not far away.  The wooden pillars, inscribed with the original calligraphy by the world-renowned sinologist Professor Jao Tsung-I featuring the Heart Sutra⋯⋯Read moreLantau Trail (Section 6) Man Cheung Po to Tai O (Difficulty: ★★)Hailed as the Venice of Hong Kong, Tai O is a fishing port situated at the Pearl River Estuary.  According to the inscriptions in Kwan Tai Temple, many years ago there used to be three types of fishing vessels⋯⋯Read moreLantau Trail (Section 8) Kau Ling Chung to Shek Pik (Difficulty: ★★)The picturesque Kau Ling Chung Campsite marks the start point of this section.  Kau Ling Chung features a viewing point up on a hilltop at the east overlooking the most southwesterly waters of Hong Kong and the century-old South Lantau Obelisk⋯⋯Read moreLantau Trail (Section 9) Shek Pik to Shui Hau (Difficulty: ★★)The local countryside is defined by a mixture of half artificially built and the other half naturally formed reservoirs. As the main source of fresh water supply, they can be found along many footpaths. Section 9 starts at the dam of Shek Pik Reservoir⋯⋯Read moreLantau Trail (Section 10) Shui Hau to Old Tung Chung Road (Difficulty: ★★)If you are like any city dwellers who always want a weekend getaway from the concrete jungle, then Section Ten is the place. A number of bays can be seen, this section, full of holiday-makers at weekends⋯⋯Read moreLantau Trail (Section 11) Old Tung Chung Road to Pui O (Difficulty: ★★)As the easiest section of the Lantau Trail, Section 11 begins at a vehicular road that leads to the shaded footpath. Beyond the shaded path is a wide view of the bay⋯⋯Read moreLo Fu Tau Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)‘Get rid of fleas on a tiger’s head’ is a Cantonese proverb that means provoking somebody cruel or powerful.  Hikers that opt for Lo Fu Tau Country Trail totally take the bull by the horns despite challenges of getting to the top of the mountain⋯⋯Read moreNei Lak Shan Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★)Nei Lak Shan Country Trail, a level circular path, starts at the entrance of Dong Shan Fa Mun.  In contrast with the breathtaking Lantau Peak, the is like a flat path surrounding the tummy of Maitreya Buddha⋯⋯Read more Tung Chung - Tai O (Difficulty: ★★★)Start at MTR Tung Chung Station, take the concrete path along Tung Chung Bay and head toward Hau Wong Temple to get a distant view of the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok.  Pass through Sha Lo Wan San Tsuen and Sham Shek Tsuen to reach Sham Wat, where you can enjoy the picturesque vista of Sham Wat Wan.  Continue along the path to find the North Lantau Stone Obelisk and proceed to Po Chue Tam.  The sight of Yeung Hau Temple marks your arrival at Tai O⋯⋯Read more Keung Shan Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)Keung Shan Country Trail starts at Kau Ling Chung Catchwater and goes down south at Fan Shui Au .  The entire footpath, paved with mountain rocks, is full of natural characteristics⋯⋯Read more Lantau Trail (Section 5) Sham Wat Road to Man Cheung Po (Difficulty: ★★★)Start your hike at the trail behind the pavilion at the junction of Sham Wat Road and Keung Shan Road.  Follow the signs and pay a visit to ‘Knee-cap Peak’ (Kwun Yam Shan), whose outline resembles the shape of a knee for a sweeping panoramic view of the Shek Pik Reservoir⋯⋯Read more Lantau Trail (Section 7) Tai O to Kau Ling Chung (Difficulty: ★★★)The longest of all of the Lantau Trail, this section begins at Nam Chung Village after leading out of the mountains of the Lantau Country Parks.  As it passes through the most southwesterly waters of Hong Kong, it marks the start of the second half of the Lantau Trail⋯⋯Read more Lantau Trail (Section 12) Pui O to Mui Wo (Difficulty: ★★★)The end of the trip to the seaside from Section 7 to Section 11 marks the beginning of the last leg of the Lantau Trail.  It takes you through the jungle and up the mountain to admire the beauty of the bay of Lantau Island from another angle⋯⋯Read more Shek Pik Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)The country trail begins at Wisdom Path, Ngong Ping, a landscaped installation of 38 massive wooden pillars inscribed with world-renowned sinologist Professor Jao Tsung-I’s Heart Sutra⋯⋯Read more South Lantau Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)South Lantau Country Trail begins in Nam Shan and its hillside commands the full vista of the south part of Lantau Island.  The well-shaded and scenic path is a popular destination in summer⋯⋯Read more Wong Lung Hang Country Trail (Difficulty: ★★★)To embark on the journey, hikers set off in Tung Chung and pass through Chek Lap Kok New Village.  The village and Tin Hau Temple, which was built in the third year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (i.e. AD 1822), were relocated to the current location following the construction work of the Hong Kong International Airport in Chek Lap Kok.  The statues, doors, and incense burners, made of granite⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) (The information are provided by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Leisure and Cultural Services Department)

[Starters] Hiking Routes Recommendations (Difficulty: 1 star★)

It’s time for a hike as autumn approaches! For elementary level hikers, you may visit the “1-star” hiking routes recommended by the dedicated website “Enjoy Hiking” of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and “easy” routes recommended by the “Hiking Scheme” website of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Choose your preferred route and plan a hike with friends and family members! (★=Easy | ★★=Moderate | ★★★=Demanding | ★★★★=Difficult | ★★★★★=Very Difficult)     *Please choose>>> Hong Kong Island North New Territories West New Territories Central New Territories Sai Kung Lantau Aberdeen Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)The first leg of Aberdeen Nature Trail skirts along Lower Aberdeen Reservoir on a level path. Once privately owned by a papermill, the reservoir was surrendered to the government⋯⋯Read moreAberdeen Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Aberdeen Tree Walk lies near the urban area and takes about 10 minutes' walk from Aberdeen's downtown area. To nearby residents, the green haven is a cherished “Backyard Garden of Hong Kong Island⋯⋯Read more Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail (Difficulty: ★)Located inside Lung Fu Shan Country Park, the Pinewood Battery Heritage Trail features some batteries that have been standing for as many as a hundred years within a span of 400 metres⋯⋯Read morePok Fu Lam Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)How far is the countryside from the city? In the case of Pok Fu Lam Family Walk, the only family walk on Hong Kong Island, it is only a 5-minute walk away. Although undulating⋯⋯Read morePok Fu Lam Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Pok Fu Lam Tree Walk is the first Hong Kong tree walk featuring native plant species. This route winds along Lugard Road by the Peak Galleria. While admiring the beauty of nature⋯⋯Read moreQuarry Bay Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Quarry Bay Tree Walk is a comfortable and peaceful route, connecting Mount Parker Road and Kornhill Garden. It also overlaps with Stage 2 of Wilson Trail and part of the Eastern Na⋯⋯Read more Wong Nai Chung Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Wong Nai Chung Tree Walk is in essence the sections of Sir Cecil’s Ride between Wong Nai Chung Gap Road and Mount Butler. The Tree Walk is 2.2km in length, flat and smooth, and it takes about one hour to complete⋯⋯Read more Tai Tam Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Hiking trails in Hong Kong are oases of serenity in the urban jungle. Among them is Tai Tam Family Walk, one of the best places to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The family walk is easily accessible by public transport⋯⋯Read moreTai Tam Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Tai Tam Tree Walk, about 70m in length, is the shortest tree walk in Hong Kong’s country parks. With 12 information plates installed along the Tree Walk introducing trees including⋯⋯Read more Pok Fu Lam Reservoir - Hong Kong University (Difficulty: ★)Start at Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road and walk along the Peak Trail in a reverse direction.  Enter Lugard Road at the Peak to take in the spectacular views of Victoria Harbour on the path skirting around the Peak⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Ap Chau Geosite (Difficulty: ★)Located to the east of Sha Tau Kok, Ap Chau, which literally means ‘duck island’, got its name because it looks like a duck on water. Composed of red breccia, which is rare in Hong Kong⋯⋯Read moreBride's Pool Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)Located at the northwestern corner of Plover Cove Country Park, Bride’s Pool Nature Trail meanders along the valley and skirts along cascades. The trail is easy to walk⋯⋯Read more Chung Pui Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Chung Pui Tree Walk is a circular route 0.25km in length, spanning along Brides’ Pool Road. Fourteen species of trees are introduced along the Tree Walk⋯⋯Read more Fung Hang Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Visitors are a rarity in many border regions, but it is these areas that provide a habitat for a wealth of wildlife. The same is true of Hong Kong. During spring and summer, Sha Tau Kok Hoi, in which the famous egretry in A Chau is situated⋯⋯Read more Hok Tau Reservoir Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Located inside Pat Sin Leng Country Park, Hok Tau Reservoir was once an area of streams and marshes with abundant water supply. Therefore an irrigation reservoir was built there in 1968⋯⋯Read more Lai Chi Wo Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)Located in the Double Haven Geo-Area, Lai Chi Wo Nature Trail passes through an old Hakka village. It is the best place to get close to wildlife in Lai Chi Wo, and explore Hakka culture and history⋯⋯Read more Tai Mei Tuk Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Tai Mei Tuk is located on a promontory of Plover Cove, which is encircled on three sides by mountains. In the 1960s the then Director of Water Supplies Department T.O. Morgan proposed linking Pak Sha Tau and Tai Mei Tuk with a 2-kilometre dam to cut off the cove from the sea⋯⋯Read more Ma Shi Chau Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)Ma Shi Chau Nature Trail is located in the Ma Shi Chau Special Area, which is fairly close to Yim Tin Tsai. Formed as a result of deposition of fine particles that gradually turn into sandspits, a tombolo emerges⋯⋯Read more Lok Ma Chau - Ho Sheung Heung (Difficulty: ★)Start at Lok Ma Chau Path and proceed to Lok Ma Chau Garden.  There is a viewing platform in the garden, where you can overlook the vast area of fish ponds near Shenzhen River.  Then take the concrete path leading to the villages which have been excluded from the closed area since 2013⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Chuen Lung Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Situated on a hill in Tsuen Wan, Chuen Lung is an ancient Hakka village, as well as a resting place for hikers to enjoy Dim Sum⋯⋯Read more Ho Pui Reservoir Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Located inside Tai Lam Country Park, Ho Pui Reservoir is an irrigation reservoir in Pat Heung, Yuen Long that feeds the fields in northwest New Territories. Compared to other large reservoirs, Ho Pui Reservoir bears a closer resemblance to a small lake in the woods⋯⋯Read more Rotary Park Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)The Rotary Park Nature Trail is the perfect place for children to get close to nature. With barbecue sites at the start point, the trail is easily accessible and suitable for families⋯⋯Read more Tai Tong Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Adjacent to Tai Tong BBQ Site No.1 in Tai Lam Country Park, Tai Tong Tree Walk is only 650m in length with 9 information plates erected⋯⋯Read more Twisk Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)If you look at photos taken in the 19th century, you will discover that mountains in Hong Kong were not covered in the lush green vegetation we see today. In fact, the government started large scale afforestation work only after the Second World War⋯⋯Read more Tai Mo Shan Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Located inside Rotary Park, Tai Mo Shan Family Walk is a circular walk that skirts along a forest. The stone-paved path is easy and short, taking no more than half an hour to finish⋯⋯Read more Tuen Mun-Lam Tei Reservoir - Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery (Difficulty: ★)Start at Wah Fat Playground, climb up the stone steps and continue along Tuen Mun Fitness Trail (Section 10 of the MacLehose Trail).  Then make a turn to Tuen Mun Trail. Proceed to Lam Tei Reservoir via Fu Tei.  This gentle half earth half concrete path offers an open view⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Eagle's Nest Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)Eagle’s Nest, also known as Tsim Shan, is located inside Lion Rock Country Park and is near Shek Lei Pui Reservoir. On Eagle’s Nest, black kites, raptors commonly seen⋯⋯Read more Hung Mui Kuk Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)Between spring and summer, visitors to Hung Mui Kuk are bound to fall into a fanciful reverie when strawberry trees scatter all over the mountain and the valley. This is how Hung Mui Kuk got its name⋯⋯Read moreKam Shan Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Monkeys in Hong Kong do not live in Water Curtain Cave as depicted in fairy tales; most of them are found in Kam Shan, or commonly known as Monkey Hill. Starting at Kowloon Reservoir and Shek Lei Pui Reservoir, Kam Shan Family Walk is⋯⋯ Read moreKam Shan Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Kam Shan Tree Walk is located in Kam Shan Country Park, with the entrance set at Kowloon Reservoir. The Tree Walk links to Stage 6 of MacLehose Trail at Golden Hill Road. The adjoining Kowloon Byewash Reservoir greets visitors with a beautiful scenery⋯⋯Read more Ma On Shan Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Ma On Shan Family Walk is located on the hillside of Ma On Shan, Hong Kong’s fourth tallest peak at an elevation of 702 metres. The family walk starts and ends inside large barbecue sites, making it an ideal place to have a barbecue, relax and exercise⋯⋯Read moreNai Chung Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Nai Chung Tree Walk is located in the Nai Chung Barbecue Site of Ma On Shan Country Park. Despite a length of only 270m, the Tree Walk enables people to learn more about trees while strolling along it⋯⋯Read more Pineapple Dam Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)Hong Kong’s iconic delicacy pineapple bun contains no pineapples, but Pineapple Dam Nature Trail definitely has an intimate relationship with pineapples⋯⋯Read more War Relics Trail (Shing Mun) (Difficulty: ★)Many military relics of the Second World War in Hong Kong have survived into the present. The 250-metre war relics trail located on the slope of Smuggler’s Ridge of Shing Mun and Kam Shan Country Parks⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Clear Water Bay Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Clear Water Bay Tree Walk is cutting across dense woodlands in the mid slopes of Tai Hang Tun in Clear Water Bay Country Park. There is a viewing platform and a visitor centre at the start of the Tree Walk. Looking southeast from the platform, you will see the magnificent scene of waves patting Tsing Chau and Nine Pin Group⋯⋯Read moreKei Ling Ha Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Kei Ling Ha Tree Walk is located in Ma On Shan Country Park and starts at Shui Long Wo, Sai Sha Road. This tree walk is 0.65km in length⋯⋯Read moreLai Chi Chong Geosite (Difficulty: ★)Roaming the countryside has become an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city for many city-dwellers. Lai Chi Chong, located on the southeastern shore of Tolo Channel, is an arcadia popular among hikers⋯⋯Read morePak Tam Chung Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Located at the entrance of Sai Kung Country Park, Pak Tam Chung easily evokes the childhood memories of many Hong Kong people, as it is a popular site for school picnics in spring and autumn⋯⋯Read morePak Tam Chung Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)Pak Tam Chung Nature Trail is built along the river, offering the scenery of fresh and sea water converging to create unique habitats. At low tide, fiddler crabs and mudskippers appear on the muddy surface of mangroves⋯⋯Read morePak Tam Chung Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Located in Sai Kung West Country Park, Pak Tam Chung Tree Walk is 580m in length and a part of it overlaps Pak Tam Chung Hiking Practice Trail⋯⋯Read morePak Tam Country Trail (Difficulty: ★)Started as an ancient village path connecting Pak Tam Au and Pak Tam Chung in the past, Pak Tam Country Trail is an easy route with muddy paths and stone trails through weeds, exuding a sense of antique elegance⋯⋯Read moreSharp Island Geo Trail (Difficulty: ★)Located in Port Shelter, Sai Kung, Sharp Island is connected with a small island called Kiu Tau by a tombolo, which is accessible when the tide is low. Remember to check tidal information before crossing the tombolo⋯⋯Read moreSheung Yiu Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Sheung Yiu Family Walk is an attractive place where everything is packed into one – here visitors can have a barbecue, go on a hike, and learn about natural habitats and Hong Kong folklore⋯⋯Read moreTai Tan Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Tai Tan Tree Walk is a circular route with a length of 230m. It starts from Pak Tam Road and is adjacent to Wong Shek Tree Walk. The Tree Walk encircles a barbecue site and an outing site, with a campsite nearby⋯⋯Read more Tsiu Hang Nature Trail (Difficulty: ★)Located inside the AFCD Lions Nature Education Centre, Tsiu Hang Nature Trail is an easy walk. You will be fascinated by the natural habitats comprising mosses, fungi (e.g. mushrooms), and the decomposing logs by the roadside⋯⋯Read moreWong Shek Family Walk (Difficulty: ★)Hailed as the ‘backyard of Hong Kong’, Sai Kung is a place of scenic beauty that can be fully appreciated along Wong Shek Family Walk. Located next to Wong Shek Pier, the family walk is gently undulating with long benches along the way and thus not physically demanding at all⋯⋯Read more Wong Shek Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Wong Shek Tree Walk is located in Sai Kung East Country Park, with a full length of 410m. It joins Wong Shek Family Walk and Pak Tam Road and is adjacent to Tai Tan Tree Walk⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) Tei Tong Tsai Country Trail (Difficulty: ★)Has the question of the location of the lesser-known Po Lam Monastery ever come to your lips? Po Lam Monastery, situated at the ending point of Tei Tong Tsai Country Trail, is not accessible by vehicles.  Visitors can only get a view of the hidden and tranquil monastery after completing the trail on foot⋯⋯Read more Fan Lau Country Trail (Difficulty: ★)The multicultural facet of Hong Kong could be manifested in Fan Lau Country Trail. Situated in the southernmost area of Lantau Island, Fan Lau Country Trail exhibits a blend of historical characteristics⋯⋯Read more Lantau Trail (Section 1) Mui Wo to Nam Shan (Difficulty: ★)The first leg of the Lantau Trail runs parallel to South Lantau Road.  Along the way, the footpath overlooks several villages, namely Luk Tei Tong Village, Tai Tei Tong, Pak Ngan Heung, Mui Wo Kau Tsuen, and Chung Hau⋯⋯Read more Nam Shan Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Nam Shan Tree Walk is 440m in length, passing through the Section 2 of Lantau Trail, with one end joining South Lantau Road. Nam Shan Tree Walk is a wooded path⋯⋯Read moreNgong Ping Tree Walk (Difficulty: ★)Ngong Ping Plateau is humid and foggy all year round. Its fertile soil nourishes a great variety of wild plants. There are 15 information plates installed along Ngong Ping Tree Walk to showcase native plants⋯⋯Read more Shek Mun Kap - Ngong Ping (Difficulty: ★)Start at Shek Mun Kap and walk up to Ngong Ping via Tei Tong Tsai.  This section comprises mainly uphill paths and steps.  There are a number of old temples along the way.  After going through Dongshan Famen, you may visit Wisdom Path, Po Lin Monastery, Tian Tan Buddha Statue and Ngong Ping Village⋯⋯Read more (Back to Top) (The information are provided by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Leisure and Cultural Services Department)

Sports Recommendation: Judo

The first impression people usually have about Judo is that it is a competition between two people in white robes with black belts tangling together. Some people even think that Judo is just about lifting people up and throwing them onto the ground. In fact, Judo is a sport that emerged in modern times and yet with well-established competition rules. It was not until 1964 that Judo was listed as an official event in the Tokyo Olympics and gradually became one of the popular sports. There are many players participating in international sports events.Characteristics of Judo“Maximum efficiency with minimum effort” and “mutual welfare and benefit” are the mottos of Judo athletes as well as the fundamental principles of Judo. The goal is to train and educate the body and mind rather than simply focusing on competing and trying to win. “Maximum efficiency with minimum effort” refers to using one’s strength in the best way, that is, to overcome force with softness; “mutual welfare and benefit” refers to growing with fellow partners and learning from each other. During practice, in addition to pursuing the improvement of their own techniques, Judo athletes also need to grow with their team members to achieve the goal of training the body and improving spiritual cultivation. Etiquette is highly valued in Judo, with “beginning with etiquette and ending with etiquette” being the two requirements. Judo students must salute before entering the dojo, when they see their teacher, and to one another before practice. Judo techniques and Kata (forms)Judo techniques can be divided into three categories: throwing techniques, grappling techniques and body-striking techniques.  Throwing techniques are used to cause the opponent to fall down; grappling techniques are used to press the opponent on the ground and attack them with joint techniques or strangulation techniques; body-striking techniques are direct blows with fists and feet.  Defence against weapons is also part of Judo, but it is only allowed to be used in Kata (forms) training due to its dangerous nature.  In competitive Judo (such as the Olympic Games), Judo events only allow the use of throwing techniques; and pinning techniques, strangulation techniques and joint techniques of the grappling techniques. In Judo competitions, both contestants will use Judo techniques at will and there are no fixed moves.  However, Judo itself has a set of strictly prescribed practice methods called “Kata”, which are like martial arts routines. Kata illustrates the understanding and theory of Judo and is practised in pairs. Kata is mandatorily assessed in rank examinations.  Judo is very particular about the practice of Kata.  During practice, the two parties are divided into the tori (taker or the one who performs the technique) and the uke (receiver or the one to whom the technique is performed).  The moves, order and etiquette of both parties are subject to meticulous and rigorous rules to allow athletes to learn Judo techniques in a clear order.  Judo attaches great importance to the cultivation of Kata, and each dan has a different assessment range for Kata.  Athletes must be familiar with both roles as the taker and the receiver when using various techniques. The benefits of JudoJudo is a sport that trains strength, speed, physical fitness and body coordination.  The various movements of Judo involve multiple sets of muscles of the body. These movements do not only increase muscle strength but also improve the elasticity of bones, ligaments and joints and have certain benefits for maintaining bone health.  On the other hand, Judo focuses on etiquette and decent character which can cultivate good behaviour such as athletes’ willpower, endurance and respect for others in the long run.Development and promotion of Judo in Hong KongJudo is originated in Japan, which means that most of the participants were Japanese nationals in the early days of its development in Hong Kong.  In the 1960s, various Judo training classes were launched.  In 1966, the Judo master Mr Takeo Iwami set up a Judo dojo in Hong Kong, becoming the first Japanese master to establish a Judo dojo in the territory.  Judo has blossomed in Hong Kong since then with the establishment of various Judo associations that jointly promote Judo and establish systematic training plans.The progressive learning method of Judo has resulted in a clear advancement model and has transformed traditional Japanese Jujutsu into a modern sport with a fair and just referee system.  The Judo Association of Hong Kong, China mainly assists in the promotion of Judo in the community and takes athletes to the international arena.  It also organises various competitions, provides a competitive platform for athletes to continuously engage in exchanges to improve their skills, and enhances the level of local Judo athletes.

[Intangible Cultural Heritage] 360° video on Mid-Autumn Festival - The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance

Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotional Videos ProjectThe Intangible Cultural Heritage Office and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong co-organised the “Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotional Videos Project” in 2019. Through this project, students have produced 7 sets 360-degree virtual reality videos and documentaries for introducing local intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items. Under the guidance of instructors, students seized the opportunity to have close contact with local ICH items, interact directly with ICH bearers, as well as conduct video recordings of the activities by themselves, whereby deepening their understanding of each of the ICH items. Let’s enjoy their works together! Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance The event has been held for more than 100 years. Tai Hang was originally a Hakka village. The folk story has it that a plague broke out in Tai Hang in 1880. To dispel the disaster and ward off the disease, villagers crafted a dragon and inserted joss sticks all over it. On the evening of the 14th, 15th and 16th of the eighth lunar month, villagers paraded with the fire dragon around the village and let off firecrackers. The plague ended soon afterwards. Since then, villagers have performed the three-day fire dragon dance every year to pray for peace in Tai Hang. Tai Hang fire dragon dance was inscribed onto the third national list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011. For more about Tai Hang fire dragon dance, please visit the website of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office.

Roving Exhibition – Exploring Traditional Music of Japan

Japan is one of the most popular locales among holiday travellers. Television drama series, electronic games and manga from Japan have numerous fans around the world, while Japanese cuisine is also highly welcome globally. Japan is a unique country, where flourishing popular cultures also develop side by side with traditional performing arts that have been preserved and transmitted for centuries. "Roving Exhibition – Exploring Traditional Music of Japan" presented by the Music Office offers an extraordinary travel experience and enables you to understand Japanese culture from a different perspective. For more details of Traditional Japanese Music, please visit the website of the Music Office.

Olympic Trend: Fencing

Whenever fencing is mentioned recently, there would be a direct association with the Hong Kong "Fencing God" Cheung Ka Long, the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist of Men's Individual Foil. And yet, how much do you know about the types and rules of this elegant game? Types of fencingAfter several centuries of development, fencing has become a codified sport, and it is categorised into three types according to the weapon.FoilThe foil is the lightest sword of the three and is most often used by beginners for practise. To score, fencers target their opponent’s torso, which is the area below the neck and above the thigh, with the tip of the sword. If both fencers hit their opponents simultaneously, the fencer on offence, that is, the fencer who advanced first and had the priority or the "right of way", scores a point. The fencer on defence has to make a valid defensive movement, a parry, before launching an offence to score.ÉpéeThe Épée is the heaviest of the three. A fencer can score with the tip of the blade on all parts of the opponent’s body, and therefore it has the largest attack range. In a game of Épée, when both fencers hit each other simultaneously, both fencers would receive a point. Thus, it is equally important to attack and parry as there is no priority of “right of way” or the advantage of being on the offensive side.SabreThe biggest difference between the sabre and the other two is that fencers can also score with the sides of the blade, which is why fencers need good protection for their fingers. As a result, the movements and attacks are swifter and more intense. The target area for a game of Sabre is the torso above the waist, the mask and the arms. The rule of “right of way” also applies to a game of Sabre. Thus, when fencers hit each other simultaneously, the referee would award the point to the fencer who launched the attack first. Watch the video below to know more about how to play fencing. FencingFencing is an intense and thrilling game. You will have a more engaging experience viewing the game if you know the basic rules and regulations!RulesIndividual events begin with pool games with 5 to 7 fencers in each group, and they will each try to score 5 points in 3 minutes. Then it will proceed to direct elimination based on the rankings. Each game is divided into 3 periods of 3 minutes each with a 1-minute break in between periods. The winner will be the fencer who scores 15 points first or has scored more hits than the opponent within the game time.If there is a tie when the game time is finished, there will be 1 minute extra time under the rule of sudden death, where the first fencer to hit the opponent and score would win the game. Before the extra time, both sides will draw lots to decide who the winner of the game will be if both sides fail to score during the extra time For team events, the winner will be decided by direct elimination. Both teams consist of 3 fencers and 1 substitute fencer. Each game has 9 periods of 3 minutes or 5 hits. The three fencers will each take their turn to play and the team that scores 45 points first will win.These rules also apply to wheelchair fencing, which also has games of Foil, Épée and Sabre. In the case of wheelchair fencing, since the fencers’ wheelchairs are fixed to the floor, the fencers can only freely move their upper bodies. Electronic scoringAdvanced electronic equipment is used to judge in fencing games: one fencer is equipped with a red light sensor and the other a green one. When the fencer hits the opponent, the electronic devices will judge whether the hit is a valid or invalid attack. If the attack is valid, the equipment will signal with the light of the respective side. If the attack is invalid, the equipment will signal with a white light. Development and promotion of fencing in Hong KongWith the steady development of fencing in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong fencing team also obtained excellent results in international games. The team won 2 silver medals and 5 bronze medals in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and 8 bronze medals in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Watch the interview with Hong Kong's lead female fencer Vivian Kong Man Wai. (The video is in Cantonese) And the video about the Olympic Gold Medalist Cheung Ka Long (The video is in Cantonese) Fencing requires good physical fitness, quick reflexes, technique, fast reaction times and a high degree of concentration. It is also immensely helpful in training one’s balance, hand-eye coordination and responsiveness. The Hong Kong Fencing Association (HKFA) is dedicated to promoting the development of fencing in Hong Kong. With the sponsorship of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the HKFA established community sports clubs and holds regular fencing classes to give the public a chance to try fencing.If you are interested in joining a fencing course, please consult the webpage of the Hong Kong Fencing Association or contact their staff at 2504 8106 for more details.For more details about fencing, please visit the website of LCSD or search in Youth.gov.hk website.

The Free Virtual Tour of "Gilded Glory: Chaozhou Woodcarving" Exhibition

Is it possible to tour the exhibition of the Hong Kong Museum of History while at home? Sure it is! A 360-degree virtual tour of the exhibition "Gilded Glory: Chaozhou Woodcarving" jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangdong Province, and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Guangdong Museum, is now on-line. The exhibition will reveal the practical uses and artistic qualities of Chaozhou woodcarving, while also giving the audience a taste of the customs and humanistic spirit of the Chaoshan region.>>>Click here to join the virtual tour!<<<

Sports Recommendation: Race Walking

Race walking is one of the athletics events.  Athletes of race walking put their power, strength, endurance and skills to the test. Not only one’s body but also his/her willpower can be strengthened through race walk.   Various major races are held every year and attract a lot of participants. Origin of race walkingRace Walking, evolving from common walking, originated in the United Kingdom in the 19th Century. The first race walking event was held in 1866,  organised by the Amateur Athletic Club, and was a 7-mile race. At the end of the 19th Century, “race walking trips” were popular in some European countries, and people walked from one city to another. Race walking was then passed on to all countries in Europe, America and Asia.Rules of race walkingRace walking in the early days had simple rules and allowed athletes to adopt the manner of the common way of walking or arbitrary way of walking. There were no strict requirements for skills. As for contemporary race walking, very strict requirements are set on the skills and the strides: athletes must continuously walk forward while their foot soles should keep contacting with the ground surface without any space left between each sole and the ground surface; the leading leg must keep straight during the period when the foot hits on the ground and then is raised up and the athlete’s knee cannot bend; the stride must be large and the motion needs to be in a natural and coordinated manner. In a race walking competition, six to nine judges are in post for monitoring the athletes. According to the rules of race walking, judges have to make a judgment of athletes’ motion, without the aid of any equipment but with naked eyes only, on whether it violates any rule. If the judges believe that something is wrong with the athletes’ motion, they will show a yellow paddle; if rules are violated (including space between the sole and the ground or a bending knee), a red card will be shown. Should an athlete receive red cards from three referees, he/she is disqualified and must leave the track or course immediately.Benefits of race walkingWhen compared to other athletics events, race walking is an aerobic sport involving medium to low strength and can help strengthen the muscular power of one’s legs, shoulder, back, abdomen and waist and improve the cardio-pulmonary function. Besides, the workout can help strengthen the body and willpower. Practice of race walking can be carried out at all times, unrestricted by climate, site or equipment. The distance and speed can be easily adjusted. Race walking is an outdoors sport suitable for all seasons and all people regardless of age and gender.The Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association (HKAAA) is founded in 1951 and is a statuary organisation representing all athletics sports in Hong Kong.  Since its founding, HKAAA has been dedicated to actively promoting the sport of race walk and organising various events and training courses so that Hong Kong people can enjoy the joy of race walking. Please browse the website of HKAAA for details of training courses and events, or call 2504 8218 for enquiries.

[Intangible Cultural Heritage] 360° video on Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade

Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotional Videos ProjectThe Intangible Cultural Heritage Office and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong co-organised the “Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotional Videos Project” in 2019. Through this project, students have produced 7 sets 360-degree virtual reality videos and documentaries for introducing local intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items. Under the guidance of instructors, students seized the opportunity to have close contact with local ICH items, interact directly with ICH bearers, as well as conduct video recordings of the activities by themselves, whereby deepening their understanding of each of the ICH items. Let’s enjoy their works together! Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade During the annual Dragon Boat Festival, three fishermen's associations in Tai O, namely Pa Teng Hong, Sin Yu Hong and Hap Sim Tong, organise a religious activity known as the dragon boat water parade. On the morning of the day before the festival, members of the associations row their dragon boats to visit four temples in Tai O, where they receive statues of the folk deities Yeung Hou, Tin Hau, Kwan Tei and Hung Shing. They carry the deity statues back to their associations’ hall for worship. On the day of the festival, the deity statues are put on sacred sampans towed by the associations’ dragon boats to parade through Tai O’s waters. After the ritual, the deity statues are returned to the respective temples in the afternoon. This unique religious activity has been inherited for more than a century. Tai O dragon boat water parade was inscribed onto the third national list of ICH in 2011. For more about Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade, please visit the website of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office.

The Virtual Tour of "The Rise of the Celestial Empire: Consolidation and Cultural Exchange during the Han Dynasty" exhibition

Is it possible to tour the exhibition of the Hong Kong Museum of History while at home? Sure it is! A 360-degree virtual tour of the exhibition  "The Rise of the Celestial Empire: Consolidation and Cultural Exchange during the Han Dynasty" co-presented by the Hong Kong Museum of History and Art Exhibitions China is now on-line. You can explore the stunning and rarely seen cultural relics and know more about the history, art and culture of the Han dynasty at your own pace comfortably from home.>>>Click here to join the virtual tour!<<<

【Art Appreciation 101】Street Calligraphy in Hong Kong

Speaking of iconic Hong Kong’s urban streetscapes, you cannot miss the shop signs above the crowded streets. It is easy to find handwritten signs in our city, but can you identify their script styles? In addition to giving a unique look and feel, different scripts are written sensibly to match with the function, users and space of a building.In the video “Street Calligraphy in Hong Kong” below, , Raymond Tang, curator of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, will explore aesthetic calligraphy above and below the ground with us.

LCSD introduces new measures to curb touting activities and abuse of concessionary rates

With effect from May 1 (Saturday), new measures will be introduced by Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to curb suspected touting activities and abuse of concessionary arrangements in booking and use of recreation and sports facilities."No-show record" When a hirer is unable to take up a booked session for any fee-charging recreation and sports facility, cancellation must be made at least one day prior to the day of use. Vacant sessions (after cancellation of booking) will be announced on the LCSD website at 1am the following day, and will be available for public booking on a first-come, first-served basis through the Leisure Link System from 7.30am on the same day. A no-show record will be filed on the hirer when he or she fails to take up a session as booked without on-time completion of the cancellation procedure. Two no-show records within 30 consecutive days will incur suspension of a person's rights to book any of the LCSD's fee-charging recreation and sports facilities starting from the third day subsequent to his or her second no-show record for 90 days.New measure to curb the abuse of concessionary rates Currently, hirers and all accompanying users are required to be eligible for the concessionary rates in making bookings for recreation and sports facilities through concessionary rates. Concessionary rates for bookings cannot be applied when any one of the users is not eligible for those rates, and hirers are required to top up the shortfall between the concessionary rate and the normal rate before they check in at the booked facilities. For example, a student who is eligible for a concessionary rate has to pay the normal booking rate if he or she is going to use a badminton court with an adult. A new penalty clause that booking rights for fee-charging recreation and sports facilities will be suspended for 90 days is being added if the hirers do not top up the shortfall before they check in at the booked facilities. The new measure will not affect persons with disabilities who continue to use facilities with an accompanying carer at concessionary rates.For details, please visit the LCSD website.

[Intangible Cultural Heritage] 360° video on Bamboo Theatre Building Technique

Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotional Videos ProjectThe Intangible Cultural Heritage Office and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong co-organised the “Hong Kong Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotional Videos Project” in 2019. Through this project, students have produced 7 sets 360-degree virtual reality videos and documentaries for introducing local intangible cultural heritage (ICH) items. Under the guidance of instructors, students seized the opportunity to have close contact with local ICH items, interact directly with ICH bearers, as well as to conduct video recordings of the activities by themselves, so as to deepen their understanding of each of the ICH items. Let’s enjoy their works together! For more about Intangible Cultural Heritage, please visit the website of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office.

"Viva! River" 360° Virtual Tour

To give new art inspiration to the vibrant development of Tuen Mun, a district with long history and significant local characteristics, the Art Promotion Office has launched "Viva! River" featuring local artists/artist duos Adonian Chan, Kay Chan, Ken Lo, Ricci Wong, Cold Ears Factory (Eastman Cheng and Joey Leung) and La Belle Époque (Billie Ng and Mary Cheung). Six sets of artwork including sculptures, urban furniture, a community weaving piece, and even an interactive installation with music elements have all been installed along the Tuen Mun River — an artistic journey begins here! The participating artists have visited different places, such as schools, malls, parks and housing estates. Various kinds of collaboration have also taken place in the communities, where the public and artists exchange ideas to envision a more vital public space from the perspective of art and design.Wish to stay at home to have a view of the artworks and attractions in riverside? Don‘t miss the "Viva! River" Virtual Tour which offers an interactive 360-degree experience! .Please swipe the screen to experience the 360° virtual tour .For a better experience, you may change the video quality to 1080s or above (The video is boardcasted in Cantonese) For the details if the "Viva! River" project, please visit the Art Promotion Office website.