The first impressions most tourists have of Hong Kong is that it’s a cosmopolitan country filled with busy streets, modern infrastructure, sky scrapers and lots of noise. However, visitors to Hong Kong will be pleasantly surprised by the beautiful countryside and luscious landscapes which are just an hour away from the city.
The Dragon’s Back trail is one such destination that is just outside of the city limits and offers a spectacular view of nature. The Dragon’s back is a unique hiking experience not only because of the name it has, but also due to the fact that the location is also extraordinary. In 2004, it was named ‘The Best Urban Hike in Asia’ because of the unique geographical features in the area. The journey begins when you step into a Hong Kong tram. The tram takes you across the Shau Kei Wan wet market, a beautiful bamboo forest and hills covered in rose myrtle and azaleas. When you step down for the hike at Dragon’s back, you will see a rugged path that winds, twists and turns its way around a mountain that is shaped like the back of a dragon.
Although it may look extremely difficult, the Dragon back hike is quite short. While trekking, there are so many spectacular views on display for you. To the east, you will see velvety green islands in the sea close to Hong Kong and the Clear Water Bay Peninsula. Towards the west, there is the Stanley Peninsula and the South China Sea. At the foot of the Dragon Back mountain is a popular surfing beach. The beach is part of the Shek O village where you could rest and dine in one of the many beach restaurants. Towards the end of the hike is a shady tunnel of tropical vegetation that is sure to cool you down in the hot weather.
The trail takes around 2 hours to complete, and there are some inclines which make it a challenging climb but it is not that difficult. There are a lot of stairs which will help you work out the calories you gained while on vacation. The best place to rest and relax is the Big Wave Bay. There are a lot of restaurants on the beach and you can always go for a swim or have a drink there.
When planning a trip to Hong Kong you shouldn’t miss out on the Dragon’s Back hike. The best way to arrange your trip is to stay at a Hong Kong hotel since the Dragon’s back is not too far off from the city. Check out a Wan Chai Hotel Hong Kong for great rooms and service. The Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong is definitely a place that can be recommended for visitors to Hong Kong.