After 10 years in Hong Kong, Shek O has become my favorite place.
Shek O (石澳, formerly known as "石凹") , is home to Asia's most picturesque hiking trail:
Dragon's Back is the most breathtaking trail on Hong Kong Island, culminating at Cape D'Aguilar within Shek O Country Park.
Shek O comprises both of the original and authentic Shek O fishing village as well as the enigmatic luxury residential section along Shek O Road.
The journey from Chai Wan to Shek O is the first step for all hikers in Hong Kong. It is simple and suitable for individuals of all ages. Despite being a beginner-friendly path, the scenery is stunning, offering multiple treasures throughout the way.
Catch a bus at Siu Sai Wan Park where you might find a wild boar residing due to the nearby small temple where people offer food for worship during festivals. This wild boar has been feasting and getting fatter for a while, making it the most robust one I've encountered in Hong Kong. Proceed up the stairs (red route) from Dragon Leap Trail and head to Cape Collinson Road。 Then turn left and ten meters away you will discover a modest tea shop (marked by a black dot on the map).
From here, proceed along the main road (purple route) to reach the well-known spot: Former Cape Collinson Battery. this ruin place have a mysterious atmophere. There is a rocky road in the middle to enter.
When it comes to this photo, it's subjective. But when I whatched it the first time, it felt like I was a local ghost emerging from the sea.
Return to the tea shop and ascend the mountain via the adjacent stairs (blue route), go all the way until you reach Big Wave Bay. This journey encapsulates the full essence of Hong Kong trails and offers unparalleled scenery.
It is said that Dragon's Back is the entry level hiking trail in Hong Kong. In fact, this path to Big Wave Bay, and the scenery before reaching it is similar. But I personally think that it is easier to walk there and has an even better view than Dragon's Back itself.
I loved it so much that I once had the urge to come here to take wedding photos, but when I tried it out, I was afraid that my complexion would not be very good that day. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to do these wedding pictures later on.
The only thing to note here is to cherish the scenery and take photos quickly. I thought the view would be wider when turning the next corner, but suddenly faced Big Wave Bay.
Stretching from Big Wave Bay to Shek O Beach is the famous Shek O Road, home to 22 super luxury houses. Each are identified solely by numbers. The same is true for their bus stops. It feels like "Next stop, 13 Shek O Road" is announced privetely to someone "Next stop, XXX's house".
It is commonly believed that purchasing a property in this area necessitates the approval of neighbors. Factors such as finances, education, family background, social standing, and more are taken into consideration. Only when neighbors unanimously agree, can a person settle in. The presence of newly wealthy individuals might bring down the overall intelligence level of the neighborhood.
The luxurious mansions in this area are nestled amidst the dense forests, between the mountains and the sea, barely discernible to the naked eye. They appear to be a heavenly rich oasis on earth.
The Shek O Village located at the road's end consists mainly of small three-story houses painted in various colors. While it could have been considered as charming small luxury residences, the presence of numerous ultra-luxurious houses along the route made it appear somewhat quaint and dilapidated.
Shek O Beach is a well-known filming spot for numerous movies and TV dramas. Several of Stephen Chow’s films, like The King of Comedy, were shot at this location. The Lover’s Bridge, previously damaged by a typhoon, has now been reconstructed. However will the separated lovers reunite too?
Afterwards, catch bus number 9 from Shek O to Hok Tsui, a fantastic spot for observing the sunset. You can investigate crab and shrimp holes there. Additionally, you can find whale bone fossils on the beach, which I used to mistake for dinosaur skeletons. A friend informed me that dinosaur fossils are extremely precious and are only found in a few museums.
Whether it is your first time visiting Hong Kong or you are about to depart Hong Kong, I believe that there is no place more suitable and mesmerizing for a day walk than Shek O. This is my favorite in Hong Kong and it holds a special place in my heart.
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