8 fantastic day trips from Hong Kong

With its gleaming skyscrapers, boat-thronged harbor, bustling shopping malls and millions and millions of people, densely populated Hong Kong is one of the world’s great urban playgrounds. But as any Hong Konger knows, there’s another, calmer side to the famously buzzing city.

Three-quarters of Hong Kong’s territory is green, with much preserved as parkland and dotted with hiking trails and secluded beaches. Dozens of outlying islands bob in the South China Sea, some just an easy ferry ride away. Indeed, excursions in nature might be more accessible in Hong Kong than in just about any other comparatively sized metropolis.

What’s more, one of the world’s busiest seaports is now connected to the mainland megacities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou by high-speed train, opening up further possibilities for wider exploration.

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The bottom line? Any visitor to Hong Kong Island should get excited about what lies just beyond it. As you plan your next trip, consider our list of the best day trips from Hong Kong.

1. Admire Hong Kong’s last remaining stilt houses at Tai O

Travel time: 1 hour 45 minutes
How to travel: By metro and bus, or by ferry and bus

Historically the home of the Tanka boat people, the fishing village of Tai O is an atmospheric maze of back alleys and street markets. Its big draw is a photogenic cluster of traditional stilt houses that teeter over the water, some with a history spanning back 200 years. To extend your trip, consider a night’s stay at the boutique-styled Tai O Heritage Hotel, housed in a converted police station built in 1902.

How to get to Tai O from Central: Ride the MTR from Hong Kong station to Tung Chung (33 minutes) and then take bus 11 to Tai O (one hour). Otherwise, take the ferry to Mui Wo and then change to bus 1.

2. Hang out on Lamma, Hong Kong’s hippie island

Travel time: 30 minutes
How to travel: By ferry

With its hidden beaches, car-free paths and countercultural vibes, laidback Lamma Island is the perfect antidote to Hong Kong’s clamor. Yung Shue Wan is the main village, where you’ll find cafes, vegetarian restaurants and new-age shops aplenty. Across the island at Sok Kwu Wan, take your pick from a string of seafood restaurants serving dishes like steamed whole grouper or fried clams with black bean sauce.

How to get to Lamma Island from Central: Take a ferry from Central’s Outlying Islands ferry terminal (pier 4) to either Yung Shue Wan pier or Sok Kwu Wan pier.

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3. Explore the Portuguese heritage of Macau

Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
How to travel: By high-speed ferry 

With its palatial casinos, Macau has developed a reputation as China’s Las Vegas. Yet even with the breakneck development of recent decades, the island retains traces of its 300-year history as a Portuguese colony. Admire the ruins of the Church of St Paul, a 17th-century cathedral, graze on Portuguese custard tarts in the old town center, then ride the cable car up to Guia Fortress, a historic military complex containing China's first lighthouse and a chapel built by Portuguese nuns. There’s no need to ante up to feel Macau’s magic.

How to get to Macau from Central: Take the MTR one stop to Sheung Wan, then catch a high-speed ferry from the Hong Kong–Macau Ferry Terminal to the Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal (1 hour).

4. Take a cable car to Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha

Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes
How to travel: By metro and cable car, or by ferry and bus

A pilgrimage to the serene Tian Tan Buddha in the lush hills of Lantau is one of Hong Kong’s most popular excursions. Clocking in at 34m high (podium included), this bronze icon faces the Po Lin Monastery, a sprawling Buddhist complex linked to Tung Chung (the main town on Lantau) by cable car. The scenic 5.7km journey offers sweeping views of Tung Chung Bay. Plane spotters in particular will love the bird’s-eye view of Hong Kong International Airport.

How to get to Po Lin Monastery from Central: Ride the MTR (metro) from Hong Kong station to Tung Chung (35 minutes), then take the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car for the final leg of the journey (25 minutes). You can also take the ferry to Mui Wo and then get bus 2.

5. Marvel at the otherworldly scenery of Hong Kong Global Geopark

Travel time: 2 hours
How to travel: By metro and bus

Hong Kong Global Geopark, a UNESCO-listed natural playground, abounds with stunning and surreal volcanic rock columns and sea caves. Tour operators run boat, kayak and SUP excursions into the Geopark; you can also take a trip to the High Island Reservoir East Dam and get up close without leaving dry land. The Volcano Discovery Center in Sai Kung advises on the best ways to explore.

How to get to Hong Kong Global Geopark from Central: Take the MTR to Choi Hung station (30 minutes) and then take Hong Kong Green Minibus 1 to Sai Kung Pier and the Geopark Volcano Discovery Center (35 minutes).

6. Go temple and beach hopping on Cheung Chau Island

Travel time: 1 hour
How to travel: By ferry

With its lovely beaches, charming villages and Taoist temples, Cheung Chau Island makes a delightful day trip from central Hong Kong. Be sure to hike or bike your way to the island’s southwestern corner to chill by the Reclining Rocks (picnic optional). The usually tranquil island fills up each year for the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, a spectacular extravaganza of parades, “floating children“ (kids standing on parade scaffolding carried through the streets) and a race up bamboo towers to snatch the sacred bun.

How to get to Cheung Chau from Central: Take a ferry from Central’s Outlying Islands ferry terminal (pier 5), either regular (1 hour) or fast (40 minutes).

7. Hike and swim in unspoiled Sai Kung

Travel time: 2 hours
How to travel: By metro, bus and taxi

One of Hong Kong’s last untouched natural areas, Sai Kung offers trails through pristine scenery to secluded coves and picture-perfect beaches. The Tai Long Wan Hiking Trail passes four gorgeous beaches with some steep climbs and beautiful views along the route. Things aren’t totally wild here, though: you’ll find dining spots at Sai Wan and Ham Tin beaches, and it’s even possible to camp on the sand. You can also head back to Sai Kung Town by speedboat and have dinner on the waterfront.

How to get to Sai Kung from Central: Ride the MTR to Choi Hung station (30 minutes) and then take Hong Kong Green Minibus 1 to Sai Kung Pier (35 minutes). Take a taxi to the High Island Reservoir East Dam (30 minutes) for the full hike, or get a taxi to Sai Wan Pavilion for a 1-hour hike to the beach.

8. Discover a new city in mainland China

Travel time: 45 minutes
How to travel: By high-speed train

The Chinese megacity of Shenzhen is just minutes away from Hong Kong by bullet train. Beyond the bragging rights of making it to the mainland, Shenzhen offers visitors dazzling modern architecture; a thriving arts, shopping and dining scene; and some deliciously retro theme parks. Best of all, you can pick up a temporary visa at the border crossing with minimal fuss. (If you need one, that is: China’s new visa-waiver program includes EU countries, the UK Canada, Australia and many other nationalities – though not the USA.) Note that the special visa will not allow you to travel beyond the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone.

How to get to Shenzhen from Central: If you already have a visa, take the MTR to West Kowloon station, go through immigration and then catch the high-speed train to Futian Station (14 minutes). If you need a visa, ride the MTR to the Luohu border crossing instead (1 hour) and get a 5-day visa on arrival (tourists from most countries are eligible) on the spot.