Hong Kong Photo Gallery - Tung Lung Chau

Tung Lung Chau is an easy escape from the city. Just a half hour ferry ride away, you can still see the skyline yet are surrounded by greenery and emptiness.

Weekend ferries leave from either Shau Kei Wan on the Island side or Lei Yue Mun in Kowloon.

With the residential towers of Chai Wan and Tseung Kwan O just behind you, the ferry docks on the north side of the island. Your return ticket already has a set departure time back to the city, although you can stand-by for an earlier ferry and hope a space opens up.

Head up the stairs from the pier and there are a few simple restaurants serving the typical hiking fare - French toast, sandwiches, and noodles. After filling up, consider how you will do the 1 circular route around the island. There is a stretch of dirt trail along the slopes. If you want to go downhill on that section, hike anti-clockwise.

It would be a relatively easy walk on paved paths to the first attraction, the rock carvings.

The new town of Tseung Kwan O is just across the water with plenty of land to expand.

A long staircase down to the water level leads to a rock carving, which was already mentioned in 1819 records saying it looks like a dragon. At 1.8m x 2.4m, it is the largest rock carving found in the city.

After a tiring roundtrip staircase run, the next 2km or so would be much more flat and scenic.

Nam Tong Mei juts out at the southern end of the island with commanding views of the sea. It is worth making a detour out to this part.

From hereon, it is a long uphill climb to the top of the hills.

Across the water is a golf course and Sai Kung's hidden bays and beaches lie beyond.

To the east are the Ninepin Islands, which has interesting geological features.

Skirt around the fence of this facility and look for ribbons for the dirt path down.

Back along the coast, Tung Lung Fort was believed to be built in the 1700s. Armed with 8 cannons, the fort was manned until the early 19th century when it became difficult to supply this remote location.

It would be a relatively flat walk with short inclines back to the ferry pier for the journey back to the city.

Hong Kong Gallery Main Page