Nature spots in Hong Kong
We love Hong Kong for its cha chaan tengs, shopping hauls, and neon-lit streets. But other than the food and malls, the city is actually packed with nature spots that feel like you’ve hopped across multiple countries in one trip. You can easily find dramatic coastlines, autumn-coloured forests, stunning trails, and landscapes that look straight out of a dream travel moodboard.
You don’t need to zigzag across continents to get your wanderlust fix. Hong Kong delivers those multi-country vibes in a single destination – and with round-trip flights from around $270*, it’s a surprisingly easy win for travellers who want more bang for their buck.
*Prices are accurate at the time of writing, as per airfare listed on Scoot.
Table of Contents
1. High Island Geo Trail
Giving Lord of the Rings vibes
Image credit: @yukanta via Instagram
If you’ve ever dreamt of visiting Lord of the Rings filming locations, the High Island Geo Trail might just surprise you. Tucked within the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, this coastal trail delivers dramatic scenery with windswept landscapes that feel wildly un-Hong Kong at first glance.
The hike itself is refreshingly manageable even for casual hikers. It’s about 3.3km, taking roughly 3 hours at an easy pace. Along the way, you’ll find well-placed signboards that break down the geology in bite-sized bits. Expect to be awed by IG-friendly sights like towering cliff faces lined with hexagonal rock columns, sea stacks, and mysterious coastal caves. And here’s a cool fact: these formations date back 140 million years, when a supervolcano eruption shaped much of the area’s rugged terrain.
Image credit: Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark
Most routes start at the East Dam, marked by a blue, anchor-shaped monument. From here, the trail loops along the ocean-facing dam and breakwater, offering sweeping views of the water, concrete dolosse, and the striking Po Pin Chau sea stack that has now been separated from the mainland by erosion. Adventurous souls who are up for a slight climb can check out the optional 1km extension to Biu Tsim Kok, which offers gorgeous 360-degree views over the reservoir.
Don’t rush through the details either. Keep an eye out for the hexagonal rock columns, the lesser-known Fault Breccia Belt, and areas where the rock appears twisted and distorted by ancient geological movement. The trail wraps up near a sea cave, which you can reach via a wooden walkway.
2. Sweet Gum Woods, Tai Lam Country Park
Autumn colours, minus the crowds
Image credit: @tookkykayeemeeyak via Instagram
Sweet Gum Woods offers all the magic of an autumn foliage walk – minus the crowds. Come cooler months, this corner of Tai Lam Country Park transforms into a photographer’s dream, with sweet gum trees turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red.
Located in Tai Tong, the woods sit within Hong Kong’s second-largest country park, established in 1979 and spanning over 5,400 hectares. The main stretch of Sweet Gum Woods runs for about 400m along a gentle uphill path from the park entrance, making it an easy and accessible walk even if you’re not a hardcore hiker.
Image credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Along the way, you’ll spot shaded tables where you can stop for a picnic or simply admire the canopy of fiery leaves overhead. Keep going a little further and you’ll find smaller clusters of sweet gums about 150m down the road.
Image credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
But it’s not all just aesthetics – there’s a history to this trail, too. These paths once linked rural villages; today, they lead visitors to scenic lookouts over Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, also known as Thousand Island Lake. Here, rolling green hills and calm water stretch out in every direction.
When planning a visit to Sweet Gum Woods, timing matters, because the conditions are weather-dependent. The leaves typically peak in winter, and the trees are expected to show their strongest colour change between Christmas and New Year. During the season, a special shuttle runs between Sweet Gum Woods and Tai Tong to make getting there easier.
3. Sam Shing Hui Seafood Market, Tuen Mun
Bustling seaside town energy
Image credit: Irvin Cheung via Google Maps
To fuel up on some fresh nosh before and after conquering your hikes and nature trails, Sam Shing Hui Seafood Market brings you straight into the heart of a lively seaside town. Located along Sam Shing Street by Castle Peak Bay, this well-loved market traces its roots back to a traditional fishing village once home to Tanka boat people and Hakka residents.
Image credit: @stephen.yee via Instagram
It’s now evolved into a bustling local hotspot that’s especially loved by families. Walk around and you’ll find a dozen stalls displaying the day’s fresh catch like giant prawns, crabs, flatfish, and grass shrimps.
Image adapted from: @stephen.yee via Instagram
Here’s the fun part: you can pick your live seafood straight from the tanks here. Then, bring it to nearby restaurants or stalls to be cooked to your liking. Most of the seafood you see here is caught earlier in the day and eaten by evening – it doesn’t get fresher than that.
Plus, many of the stalls offer casual seating with bay views, giving the whole experience a relaxed, coastal-town feel you’d normally associate with seaside destinations.
4. Tung Ping Chau
Unique volcanic geology
Image credit: @carrenkeng via Instagram
Mention “Hong Kong” and the usual skyline and harbour scenes might come to mind. So, Tung Ping Chau is about as unexpected as it gets. Often described as one of Hong Kong’s most remote islands, this quiet outpost sits in Mirs Bay near the mainland border. The bay itself has recently received recognition as an “Outstanding Example of Beautiful Bays” by mainland China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), so you know it’s legit.
Your first glimpse of the island’s unusual landscape usually comes at A Ma Wan, just as the ferry approaches the public pier. Instead of the rugged volcanic cliffs seen elsewhere in Hong Kong, the rocks here are finely layered and almost silky in texture – formed from ancient mud and silt deposits laid down millions of years ago. Look closer and you’ll spot white coral fragments scattered across the sand, a reminder of the rich marine life just offshore.
Image credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
As you walk further along the coast, you’ll hit Kang Lau Shek, the island’s easternmost headland. This also happens to be a favourite among geology nerds. Broad, slanted rock slabs stack neatly like pages in a giant book, while 2 tower-like formations rise dramatically by the sea. Look closer and you’ll spot tidal pools alive with fish, crabs, and other marine creatures quietly doing their thing.
After which, check out Lung Lok Shui, characterised by pale, zigzagging seams that slice across flat stone platforms before slipping into the water. A forest-lined detour then brings you to Cham Keng Chau, where centuries of wind and waves have carved a narrow corridor through fractured rock, opening up sea views on both sides.
Tung Ping Chau is best visited with a bit of planning – tides and weather matter, and facilities are minimal – but that’s part of the appeal.
5. Lamma Island
Car-free island with seaside restaurants
Image credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Lamma Island is another one that should be on your radar. This car-free island swaps steep climbs for easy coastal walks and delicious seafood lunches. Plus, it’s super easy to get to – just a 30-minute ferry ride from Central Pier 4.
A popular way to experience the island is via the Lamma Island Family Trail, a leisurely 5km route linking the island’s 2 main villages: Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan. It’s suitable for almost anyone, with minimal climbing and well-marked paths, making it a great option if you’re travelling with parents or children.
Image credit: @see_by_lucia via Instagram
Along the way, you’ll pass through peaceful coastal stretches, pockets of old feng shui woods, and viewpoints overlooking busy shipping lanes in the South China Sea. There are also unexpected historical touches, including a World War II cave; as well as quiet temples dedicated to Tin Hau, the Goddess of the Sea.
Image adapted from: @terracottalamma via Instagram
Naturally, food is part of the experience. Lamma Island is famous for its open-air seafood restaurants, where you can settle in for lunch with views of fish farms bobbing gently in the bay. For something more atas, refuel at Terracotta, a seaside restaurant serving up Mediterranean-inspired eats. We heard the charcoal-grilled octopus (HKD$230, ~$37.95) is a must, paired with roasted potatoes with a rich tomato and fennel broth.
Those looking for a halal option can visit Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant. It’s actually one of the first seafood restaurants in Hong Kong to get halal certified, and they even provide ferry services from Hong Kong and Kowloon so you can get a breezy ride straight into feasting.
6. Ex‑Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir, Bishop Hill
Century-old Romanesque underground reservoir
Image credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
You’d never expect to find a place like Ex‑Sham Shui Po Service Reservoir in Hong Kong. It is reminiscent of ancient cisterns in Italy or Turkiye, like the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul. But here’s an important caveat: this isn’t a Roman ruin, but a century-old piece of Hong Kong history.
Completed as early as 1904, the reservoir – formerly known as the Kowloon Tong Service Reservoir – was once part of the old Kowloon Waterworks Gravitation Scheme. Its role was to supply fresh drinking water to residents in Kowloon. While the reservoir was retired in 1970, it was rediscovered during land works in 2020 before being officially recognised as a Grade I historical monument just 1 year later.
Image adapted from: @apeapeape via Instagram
Step inside today and you’ll find a striking Romanesque-style underground chamber, supported by 100 brick pillars, with old water pipes still running overhead. The symmetry, arches, and filtered light make it feel eerily similar to the famous cisterns of the Mediterranean.
The site is now open to visitors without prior appointment during opening hours, with self-service audio guides available via QR codes to help you understand what you’re looking at. Guided tours are also conducted on Saturday mornings, although these require advance booking on the Water Supplies Department’s official website.
Bishop Hill is located in Sham Shui Po, and getting there involves about a 15-minute uphill walk along narrow paths and stairs from Berwick Street. If you’re visiting with parents or elderly family members, it’s worth assessing comfort levels and planning accordingly.
7. Lantau Island South Coast
Clear waters & sunset hikes
Image credit: Lantau Island South Coast
If you think Lantau Island is just about the airport and the Big Buddha, its southern coast will happily prove you wrong. Here, you can expect sweeping beaches, rolling hills, and old-school village energy within Lantau Island South Coast.
Pui O Beach is a good place to start if you’re craving space and quiet, tucked between lush hills and wetlands.
Cheung Sha Beach.
Image credit: Hong Kong Tourism Board
Another beach is Cheung Sha Beach, located just an 8-minute drive away. It has one of Hong Kong’s longest stretches of white sand. With clear waters and forested hills framing the coast, it’s easy to forget you’re still in Hong Kong. Split into Upper and Lower Cheung Sha, there’s plenty to do here depending on your mood: taking easy strolls along the beach, hanging out at a beachfront cafe, tucking into seafood, or trying out some water sports.
Image credit: @caroline7chen via Instagram
For a completely different perspective, head uphill to Sunset Peak, also called Tai Tung Shan. As the island’s third-highest peak, it’s known for its silvergrass fields that glow at golden hour, especially in autumn and winter. The hike isn’t technical, but it is rewarding. You’ll be 869m above sea level with open views across the southern coastline.
8. Park Nature Hillside Glamping
Moon-landing vibes, minus the astronaut training
Image credit: Klook
For something out of this world, check out Park Nature Hillside Glamping. Tucked away in Ta Kwu Ling near the Heung Yuen Wai/Liantang Port, this hillside escape looks less like a campsite and more like a moon base with room service.
Image credit: Klook
The star of the show is the Ultimate Luxury Starship LX, a futuristic caravan-style stay that genuinely feels like you’ve landed on another planet. Think floor-to-ceiling glass panels with privacy curtains, a comfy bed, and all the comforts you’d expect from a hotel room. Prices start from HKD 3,295 (~S$544.24) for 2 to 4 people, which adds up to about S$136.06/person. And don’t worry, this isn’t the kind of “camping” where you’re secretly suffering.
Star Pods.
Image credit: Park Nature Hillside Glamping
The entire grounds spans about 9,300sqm and includes 18 space RVs, transparent igloos, a bar, a convenience store, and even a balance car track for those who like their nature trips with a side of novelty. If you’re travelling on a tighter budget, there are also Star Pods that start from around HKD 1,400 (~S$231.24), offering the same cosmic energy without the premium price tag.
Why Hong Kong is the ultimate multi-vibe getaway
Hong Kong is far more than just dim sum and shopping malls. It’s a destination where you can chase picturesque landscapes in the morning, wander through romantic foliage by afternoon, and end the day by the sea as if you’re in an island paradise. And you can experience it all without having to empty your bank account on multiple flights.
If you’ve been craving a trip that feels rich in experiences without busting your budget, this is your sign. With round-trip flights from around $270 currently spotted on platforms like Trip.com, Hong Kong is a value-for-money destination for Singaporean travellers – especially if you’re someone who likes more variety.
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This article was brought to you by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
Cover image adapted from: Hong Kong Tourism Board, @caroline7chen via Instagram