Hong Kong Photo Gallery - Castle Peak Hike

Castle Peak is a lovely place to see 3 skylines on a clear day - Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Macau. Yes, you read right. But getting there is a challenge as you will go from sea level to over 584m even though the horizontal distance is only about 2.2km. I took about 70 minutes to climb up.

From Tsing Wun light rail station, head south and turn right on Hing Choi Street. You will spot the transmission station at the top of the mountain, the destination. At the end of the street, turn left and notice signs to Tsing Shan Monastery on your right. This first section is a paved steep slope up to the monastery.

In 1922, Sir Robert Ho Tung and Lady Clara Ho Tung came hiking and were exhausted part way. Robert decided to build a rest spot here, and Yup Hiu Pavilion was completed in 1932.

I've seen hikers go up the paved road by taxi to almost the monastery, saving your energy for the more challenging parts ahead.
Just before the monastery, a staircase emerges on your left. The stair section is long and is quite exhausting. Pass behind the first pavilion and keep going.

At this junction, take the right stairs and you will pass the second pavilion. The stairs will keep going for quite a long while after and get steeper so pace yourselves.

The stairs will give way to rocks, then very steep rocks that zig-zag their way up. The section to the top is the most challenging and exhausting.

With good weather, I could see all the way to Tin Shui Wai, the next suburb. Noticing the dirt path on the neighbouring ridges, it is also possible to hike along that side and descend into the public housing estates beyond, but that part is very challenging so I opted to return the way I came.

Shenzhen is in the background on the other side of the water.

You're also far above all the other buildings in Tuen Mun.

A power line rises with you to the transmission station.

This gruelling path ends at yet another pavilion, a fairly odd sight at these stretches. Turn right and head towards the radio transmitting station first. Looking northeast towards Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, and Yuen Long far beyond.

Keep going and the view opens up to the northwest with the barren ridges and aquaculture farms beyond.

Returning back to the pavilion, it is another short steep staircase up to the transmitting station.

Below, you can see the extended coastline jutting out into the sea. That is the entry point for the newly-inaugurated Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Tunnel that will shorten travel time to the airport on the other side.

Reclamation for the third runway is taking shape.

Towards the east, I could see ICC and even Hong Kong Island beyond.

This is a good hike to do in the afternoon as the sun is descending behind you and sunset would be quite spectacular at this height.


Castle Peak is a lovely place to see 3 skylines on a clear day - Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Macau. Yes, you read right. But getting there is a challenge as you will go from sea level to over 584m even though the horizontal distance is only about 2.2km. I took about 70 minutes to climb up. From Tsing Wun light rail station, head south and turn right on Hing Choi Street. You will spot the transmission station at the top of the mountain, the destination. At the end of the street, turn left and notice signs to Tsing Shan Monastery on your right. This first section is a paved steep slope up to the monastery. In 1922, Sir Robert Ho Tung and Lady Clara Ho Tung came hiking and were exhausted part way. Robert decided to build a rest spot here, and Yup Hiu Pavilion was completed in 1932. I've seen hikers go up the paved road by taxi to almost the monastery, saving your energy for the more challenging parts ahead. Just before the monastery, a staircase emerges on your left. The stair section is long and is quite exhausting. Pass behind the first pavilion and keep going. At this junction, take the right stairs and you will pass the second pavilion. The stairs will keep going for quite a long while after and get steeper so pace yourselves. The stairs will give way to rocks, then very steep rocks that zig-zag their way up. The section to the top is the most challenging and exhausting. With good weather, I could see all the way to Tin Shui Wai, the next suburb. Noticing the dirt path on the neighbouring ridges, it is also possible to hike along that side and descend into the public housing estates beyond, but that part is very challenging so I opted to return the way I came. Shenzhen is in the background on the other side of the water. You're also far above all the other buildings in Tuen Mun. A power line rises with you to the transmission station. This gruelling path ends at yet another pavilion, a fairly odd sight at these stretches. Turn right and head towards the radio transmitting station first. Looking northeast towards Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, and Yuen Long far beyond. Keep going and the view opens up to the northwest with the barren ridges and aquaculture farms beyond. Returning back to the pavilion, it is another short steep staircase up to the transmitting station. Below, you can see the extended coastline jutting out into the sea. That is the entry point for the newly-inaugurated Tuen Mun - Chek Lap Kok Tunnel that will shorten travel time to the airport on the other side. Reclamation for the third runway is taking shape. Towards the east, I could see ICC and even Hong Kong Island beyond. This is a good hike to do in the afternoon as the sun is descending behind you and sunset would be quite spectacular at this height.

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