Hiking in Hong Kong: Cheung Chau Island Loop Hike

Among Hong Kong's outlying islands, Cheung Chau is one of the most popular, with a vibrant atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and easy accessibility, making it a great place for a relaxing getaway. Cheung Chau is also a great island for hiking. My loop hike followed this route: Ferry Pier (turn left)—Sai Kwai Wan—Tai Kwai Wan—Tai Kwai Wan Garden—Cheung Chau Peak (return)—Rolex Path—Pak Kok Tsui (return)—Cheung Chau Family Walk—Pak Shek Kok (return)—North Lookout Pavilion—Pak Tai Temple—Ferry Pier—Chung Hing Street Tin Hau Temple—Cheung Chau Park—Sai Wan—Cheung Po Tsai Cave—Five Elements Stones—Angel's Wing (return)—Nam Tam Tin Hau Temple—Sze Ko Road—Mini Great Wall (Jade Seal Stone—Kwun Yum Temple)—Kwun Yum Wan Beach—Tung Wan—Ferry Pier. The total length is 18.6 km. Although the mountains on Cheung Chau Island are not high, none exceeding 100m, the constant ups and downs result in a cumulative elevation gain of 1,100m. Cheung Chau Peak is a Civil Aviation Navigation Station (Figure 2) and is inaccessible. A distant view of Pak Shek Kok and the North Lookout Pavilion from the Rolex Path (Figure 3). Tung Wan Tsai Beach is very secluded (Figure 4). The distant view of Pak Kok Tsui from Pak Shek Kok (Figure 5) is also beautiful. The sports field in front of Pak Tai Temple (Figure 7) is already being prepared for the annual "Bun Scrambling Competition" (Figure 8). The view of Cheung Chau Bay from Sai Wan is extremely beautiful (Figure 9). Cheung Po Tsai Cave is a cave on a cliff with very hidden entrances and exits. It is pitch black inside, requiring a flashlight or headlamp, and navigating it requires using both hands and feet, making it quite challenging (Figure 10). The path from Cheung Po Tsai Cave to the Five Elements Stones, passing by Bok Yu Wan, is quite difficult (Figure 11). Getting to Angel's Wing (Torch Stone/Fish Fin Stone) (Figure 1) requires passing through a cemetery, climbing over a fence, descending along ropes (Figure 12), and scrambling down rocks using both hands and feet, which is very dangerous. There are three Tin Hau Temples on Cheung Chau Island: Chung Hing Street Tin Hau Temple, Sai Wan Tin Hau Temple, and Nam Tam Tin Hau Temple (Figure 13, bottom right is Kwun Yum Temple). Flowers are blooming in this season, and spring is in the air (Figure 14). The island is full of interestingly shaped, jagged rocks in various forms.