Sevens above! Seven adventures to go on in Hong Kong

Hiking on regular paths is so dry. Get wet and wild at Ping Nam Stream, one of Hong Kong’s most adrenaline-fuelled beauty spots, popular as a place to canyon and stream hike. You can spend time swimming at the stunning Hula Skirt Falls, or choose the six-kilometre hike along the rocky stream bed, which takes around four hours to complete. You’ll want a change of clothes, plenty of drinking water and hiking sandals with excellent grip. Never attempt to enter the stream after a period of heavy rainfall.

How to get there: Take the MTR to Fanling, then ride the 56K minibus until Nam Chung Road. Take a right at Luk Keng Road, then follow the signs for Wilson Trail Stage 10, until you spy a dam. Take the overgrown stairs on the right, rather than continuing to follow the main trail, until you arrive at the stream. Alternatively, arrange a guided canyoning trip via Wild Hong Kong or Klook. 

Hongkongers love hiking, and no trip would be complete without checking out one of the city’s many green trails. For a short and sharp hike that offers incredible views on a clear day, scramble up iconic Lion Rock, which juts over the Kowloon peninsula with its fierce feline profile. Wild monkeys abound, too, for a jungle-themed adventure. Alternatively, if you’ve overdone it at the Sevens, spend a slower day absorbing the atmosphere along the incredible Ping Shan Heritage Trail in Yuen Long. The easy 1.6km-long route is lined with centuries-old ancestral halls. Stop by the visitor centre at the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery (closed Mondays) to pick up a guide book before you set off. 

We ain’t afraid of no ghosts. The small Hakka island of Yim Tin Tsai (literally ‘Little Salt Field’) is a short boat ride from the bustling pier at Sai Kung. The island was a hub for salt panning as far back as the 1700s, with a population peak of around 1,000. But the local salt industry evaporated in the mid-20th century, and the indigenous population slowly moved away, leaving behind a catalogue of uninhabited buildings and deserted farms. There’s since been a push to reinstate the salt farms to promote ecotourism, and there are weekend tours and workshops held on sustainable living. Don’t miss the photogenic St Joseph’s Chapel, and the former village school; now a heritage centre. But a good nose around the eerie, abandoned village is what you’re really here for.

How to get there: On weekends there are hourly ferries to and from Yim Tin Tsai from Sai Kung public ferry pier. It’s a 20-minute ride. On weekdays, call 2791 6226 to arrange a ferry.

Hong Kong’s first (and only) Olympic gold medal win was for windsurfing. Get a first-hand taste of the SAR’s sporting successes at Stanley’s Hong Kong Aqua Bound Centre. Here you can rent wakeboards, kayaks and windsurfing gear, or arrange private lessons. Alternatively, sample the city’s surf scene at Big Wave Bay near Shek O, on the island’s southside. There’s board and locker rental available at stores along the beachfront, but head down early to beat the crowds. If you’re looking for something more zen, the serene Pui O beach on Lantau Island makes a great spot for stand-up paddle boarding. Rent a paddle board from Treasure Island and have a sundowner at board shack Mavericks afterwards. 

Tai Mei Tuk means “the end of the road” in Cantonese, and appropriately this small village is a great place to kick back after a day of pedaling. Start at Sha Tin by renting a bike at one of the many shops located near the MTR station – most have branches in Tai Mei Tuk for rental returns, but confirm before you hire. Then simply follow the blue signs that direct you along the popular and scenic Tolo Harbour Cycling Track to Tai Po. A 9km extension to the path takes you from Tai Po to Tai Mei Tuk, where you can light up at one of the many public barbeque pits, and enjoy watching the local kite fliers in action. Coal, drinks and basic snacks are available at stalls in Tai Mei Tuk, but stock up at the market in Tai Po for a better selection of meat and veg.

How to get there: Ride the MTR’s East Rail Line to get to Sha Tin station, and follow the blue cycle path signs from there. 

You might not have heard of Lee Jun-Fan, but you’ll know him by his screen name. Bruce Lee remains among the city’s most beloved sons, and he was responsible for creating a global and lasting association between Hong Kong and martial arts such as kung fu and wing chun. Take the chance to give one of them a try – there are plenty of schools that offer one-day lessons, or overnight stays if you’re feeling extra keen.

How to get there: Try a wushu camp at Shaolin Wushu Centre in Tai O on Lantau Island, or English-friendly wing chun classes at Wan Kam Leung in Yau Ma Tei. The Tourism Board also offers a full day excursion, including a one-hour wing chun lesson with a master, followed by dim sum and a tour of the ongoing Bruce Lee: Kung Fu. Art. Life. exhibition at Hong Kong’s Heritage Museum.