Where is this place?

Scotland? No! South America - way off! I know: Africa. Still wrong....

Believe it or not! It's Hong Kong. And you thought it was just an island bristling high-rise, didn't you!

Hong Kong may be known as a modern and cosmopolitan city, famous for its myriad skyscrapers, shopping options and dining hotspots, but the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is aiming to shed light on a different side with the launch of their latest campaign Hong Kong’s Great Outdoors.  

To show visitors what they are missing out on, the HKTB has recruited a handful of top local photographers, including: landscape photographer and a Hong Kong National Geographic 2013 photography winner, Will Cho; veteran outdoor sports photographer, Elvis Mo; a Nature Conservancy 2017 photography winner, Jessica Li; and renowned photographer, Romain Jacquet Lagreze, best-known for his “Vertical Horizon” photo series, showcasing the geometric lines of Hong Kong. 

This group of talented photographers have captured these off-the-radar landscapes through their lens, highlighting the impressive views people can experience firsthand by following a series of self-guided trails listed in HKTB’s newly published guidebook “Your Guide to Hiking & Cycling in Hong Kong”.

The guidebook is available from visitor centres around the city or as an e-version and is divided into three different themes: Hiking in Heritage; Picture-Perfect Vistas; and Geological Wonders, with each section detailing suggested trails, along with the estimated time required and difficulty levels.

Visitors are now free to escape the hustle and bustle of the city at their own leisure and discover the surrounding beauty whether it be spectacular cityscapes, remote beaches, rustic villages, serene islands, or historical and cultural landmarks. The guidebook also features cycling trails for those who are keen to explore at a slightly faster speed. 

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FYI: "Your Guide to Hiking & Cycling in Hong Kong" is divided into three different themes. 

The Hiking in Heritage section includes the Land of Legend trail, which takes hikers through Plover Cove Country Park, from a hauntingly beautiful stream and waterfall network known as Bride’s Pool to traditional Hakka villages, like Sam A and Wu Kau Tang. The trails educate visitors on the rich history and culture of rural Hong Kong, while they admire the surrounding landscape. 

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In the Picture-Perfect Vistas section, photography lovers will be wowed by routes like the Magnificent Landscapes trail, which takes them up the 869-metre Sunset Peak (so-named for its glorious views of the setting sun) and the remote and romantic Silvermine Bay Beach, through plenty of breath-taking scenery along the way. 

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The Geological Wonders section includes protected UNESCO heritage sites. For example, the Geological Treasure Hunt takes hikers around Hong Kong’s easternmost island, Tung Ping Chau, with views of its otherworldly multi-layered rock formations and abundant wildlife.

More details.....