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Beyond the hustle and bustle and the bright lights of its city life, Hong Kong has a lesser-known asset that is no less alluring – its hidden gems of natural beauty. These sanctuaries of nature are hidden in and around the city and spread among Hong Kong’s island territories, waiting to be discovered.

For those who don’t know where to start, the Natural Kaleidoscope Programme, run by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, offers a good overview of the best natural highlights of Hong Kong. Designed to showcase the territory’s lesser-known natural beauty, the tours under the programme are conducted by local experts. The programme offers an interesting set of seven tours for the avid nature lover.

Hong Kong Wetland Park

One of the tours will take you to the territory’s latest attraction, an ecological gem in the form of the Hong Kong Wetland Park. The park demonstrates the diversity of Hong Kong’s wetland biodiversity through the Wetland Interactive World with its themed exhibition galleries, theatre, an indoor play area for children and a resource centre.

The 60-hectare Wetland Reserve offers an up close experience with some of its wildlife inhabitants, from birds to dragonflies, amphibians to reptiles. You might even chance upon some of the rare and endangered species on walks throughout the reserve.

Island hopping

Another not-to-be-missed tour of the Natural Kaleidoscope Programme features an island-hopping tour of the Northeast New Territories – the perfect day out for lovers of the great outdoors. The tour will take you through stunning landscapes of the New Territories, including the Yan Chau Marine Park. You will also visit heritage areas such as the Hakka village of Lo Chi Wo and the fishing villages of Kat O island.

The more adventurous can venture out on their own to some of Hong Kong’s more than 260 outlying islands that dot Hong Kong’s waters, many of them only a short ferry ride away from the city.

Lamma Island

Just a 30-minute ferry ride away from Central is Lamma island – Hong Kong’s third largest island.

Walking around the island on several of the trails that meander along the hills and coastline makes for a highly enjoyable experience, especially since there are no vehicular traffic and high-rise buildings to distract you.

The leisurely hike from Yung Shu Wang to Sok Kwu Wan will take you through quaint fishing villages, narrow streets seemingly frozen in time and fine bathing beaches.

Finish off the walk with a sumptuous dinner at one of the many seafood restaurants at Sok Kwu Wan before catching a ferry back to the city.

Lantau Island

Although Lantau Island is famed for the towering Giant Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery, there are plenty of natural wonders on the island for you to explore, too.

The Lantau Peak hiking trail takes you through a range of stunning landscapes – valleys, mountains, woodlands, and also through some of the historic cultural landscape of hillside monasteries and an old fort.

Don’t forget to make a date with some of the island’s much-loved residents – the endangered pink dolphins in their natural habitat in the waters off the island.

Cheung Chau Island

One of Hong Kong’s most popular islands for a day trip is Cheung Chau – which means “long island” in Cantonese. The picturesque island’s busy waterfront is dotted with butcher shops and vendors selling fresh fish, shellfish, fruits and vegetables, small local restaurants and food stalls.

Cheung Chau is famous for its week-long Bun Festival, held either in April or May each year.

The colourful Taoist festival – which is meant to appease ghosts and spirits – features opera performances, prayers, and climaxes in a procession.

The highlight of the festival is the climbing of bamboo bun-towers – during which participants would scamper up the towers and grab as many buns as possible. The buns would then be sold or distributed to those who did not join in the competition.

Lush nature can also be found smack in the bustling city, if you know where to look for it.

The Peak Walking Trail

For a breathtaking view of the cityscape, lush greenery and the magnificent Hong Kong harbour, The Peak is the perfect place to experience incredibly beautiful vistas.

Start the walk at Lugard Road, near the Peak Tower. En route to the Lugard Road Lookout are panels of information introducing the geology, climate, vegetation and insects found around the Peak.

On a fine day, the historic Pinewood Battery along Hatton Road gives visitors a panoramic view of the Tsing Ma Bridge and the outlying islands, including Lamma and Lantau islands.

Continue to University Drive where you can take a bus back to Central. Alternatively, you can walk along Conduit Road for another half an hour before reaching the Central-Mid Levels Escalator – the world’s longest covered escalator which takes you back to the city central.

Hong Kong Park

Right in the heart of the city is 10 hectares of lush green grounds known as the Hong Kong Park where tired shoppers and office workers often rest.

Framed by the surrounding skyscrapers, the Park features a huge aviary with a suspended bridge that allows visitors close contact with the colourful birds residing in the park.

If the visits to The Peak and Hong Kong Park have piqued your interest in uncovering more pockets of natural landscape, take a trip to Sai Kung, located northeast of the New Territories. Sai Kung, dubbed as the Back Garden of Hong Kong, is a mecca for lovers of water-sports, offering a gamut of activities that include wakeboarding, kayaking, a cruise around the surrounding beautiful shorelines and even squid fishing.

The Sai Kung Country Park offers more than 7,500 hectares of nature’s playground for hiking and camping. It is no wonder that many tourists and Hong Kong residents flock to Sai Kung for some time off far from the madding crowd.

For more information on how you can have a fascinating green holiday in Hong Kong, contact a travel agent, or log on to DiscoverHongKong.com.

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written by Chris