In Sai Kung East Country Park, you’ll find long stretches of scenic trails that climb up and down rocky cliffs and beautiful blue water beaches. It’s certainly a different picture of Hong Kong than the usual (though still incredible) packed skyline you might see online, but being able to go from city to sea in less than an hour’s drive is probably my favorite part of living in Hong Kong.
Before summer arrives with full force heat and humidity, Peter and I wanted to make use of the tent we bought nearly a year ago and were sadly yet to use.
We packed up the motorcycle and hopped on for the ride to the Country Park entrance. Here you’ll find a small parking lot (often full for cars but you can usually still find motorcycle parking), restrooms and a small shop selling beach necessities and snacks before entering the park.
all packed up and ready to ride
From the Country Park entrance you’ll want to grab one of the green taxis (green now that you’re in the New Territories) lined up by the bus stop. Ask the taxi to take you in to the park to Sai Wan. No cars other than taxis are allowed to drive past the Country Park gates.
You can also walk from the entrance of the park to Sai Wan but this will take around an hour and there’s nothing to see, but pavement. Sai Wan is at the end the single long winding road and there’s a small pavilion across from the start of the trail.
How to Get To The Trail
- Drive to Sai Kung East Country Park Entrance/Visitors Centre, grab a green taxi into the park to Sai Wan
- Minibus 29R from Sai Kung town (bus stop is outside the McDonalds)
Once you’re on the trail you’ll be hiking along the MacLehouse Trail – Stage 2 and a few different beaches
- Beach 1: Sai Wan – (~40min from start of trail)
- There are a couple of beachside restaurants here where you can have a quick break along the hike, or you can rent camping gear and surfboards if you’d like to stay.
Coconut break for Baby P and me
- From here you can also take a boat back to Sai Kung if you don’t want to continue hiking
- Beach 2: Ham Tin – (~50-60 min from Sai Wan)
- The spot where we set up camp along with a few other groups
- 2 restaurants behind the beach where you can get food, rent camping gear (tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, kerosene, firewood, charcoal…it’s all here!) and other necessities
- In the trees behind the campsite (where the fire pit set ups are) you’ll find toilets and sinks with running water
- From here you can also hire a boat back to Sai Kung
- Beach 3: Tai Long Wan – (~10-15 min from Ham Tin)
- A quieter spot for campers and a really popular with surfers but still accessible to the restaurants and facilities at Ham Tin if needed
- From Ham Tin, cross the rickety bridge to the restaurant behind the beach. Continue walking through the restaurant, past the fridges stocked with drinks, and you’ll eventually find yourself passing a few homes before making your way on to the trail to Tai Long Wan
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Camping Tai Long Wan
Peter and I packed most of our own gear except for firewood, kerosene and meals. The latter three we purchased from the family run restaurant behind Ham Tin. Since we hiked from the start of the Sai Wan trail and back again the next day, we didn’t want to carry too much (and by we, I mean Peter).
Remove your shoes before entering the tent. Same rules apply for my apartment.
If I went again I would bring ingredients for s’mores (A fire with no s’mores? How could I let that happen?), an extra blanket (it’s surprisingly chilly at night), and an extra pillow for my bump (man do I miss being able to sleep on my back!).
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