Asia

[Visited: July 2024]

On a previous visit to the city, I was on my way to hike up Lion Rock, but it started to rain heavily and I decided to leave it for later. Today, again, rain is falling on the city, but I see a possibility that it will stop. I travel to Sha Tan station, and visit the Hong Kong Heritage museum first. It gives me an unexpected insight into Hong Kong culture, and when I am back outside, the rain has indeed stopped falling. I can now also see the outline of Lion Rock, where before it was hiding in the clouds. I decide to give it a try. According to my navigation app, there are trails up to the main Lion Rock trail from the north. I walk along the main road, and at a bus stop, turn left. Within a minute, I cannot hear the traffic anymore. I am in Sha Tin Tau village, a group of houses in a valley with lush vegetation. It is very quiet, and there is not a single person around. There are signs warning against landslides, and that squatter dwellings have been recommended for clearance. I do see laundry hanging from lines, which I take as a sign that there must be people living here.
I walk a little too far, and end up on a muddy trail. Suddenly, I find myself face to face with a few wild boar. I realize that I need to backtrack, and then find the right way. A muddy trail goes steeply uphill, and I start sweating heavily in the humid and hot conditions. I reach higher grounds, and am rewarded with my first views. The mountain on which is the 10.000 Buddha temple which I visited before is lower than where I am now. I keep on pushing, and the trail is easier now. There are even stairs at times. Then, instead of taking a longer and easier trail, I decide to take the shortcut. It turns out to be steep at first, and then the trail gets overgrown by vegetation. Even though it doesn't rain, my shorts and shoes get wet now. Soaking wet. I reach viewpoints, and see skyscrapers above the crest of hills in the distance. It reminds me that I am actually in the metropole of Hong Kong. Yet I only hear birds and as soon as I leave the viewpoints behind, I am surrounded by deep green vegetation.
I start seeing rock formations. Lion Rock is, after all, a 140 million year old mountain of granite which must be just below my feet. Then, I reach the main trail on the south side of Lion Rock, making my hiking so much easier. There are even several boards explaining the historical significance of this area where the British defended their positions. After a while, I take a left turn. From here, I walk straight up stairs through the forest, and they lead me right to the Lion Rock. I suddenly step out into the open, and under my feet, I see the mighty city of Hong Kong. There, the former airport Kai Tak, jutting out into the bay. Kowloon, and behind it, Hong Kong Island. I take off my backpack, and walk a slab of granite where I enjoy the reward of my efforts. This is Lion Rock, at 495 metres above sea level. From here, I follow a trail with rocks which follows the crest of the hill. More to the west, I reach more viewpoints, and then, I see signs saying "Danger", and "Do not enter". I have read that this is considered on the most dangerous hikes in Hong Kong, and people have fallen to their death from the steep cliffs. I scramble up the rocks, and reach the top of Lion Head. This is one of the injustices of life: while I have worked my way all the way up, I cannot see why this is called Lion Head. This can only be seen from various points in the city below. I stay here for a while, soaking up the views. I must come back here for sunset one day. When I start descending, it is already getting dark. I hear monkeys in the trees above my head, and again do not see a single soul. Am I really in this legendary city? Then, I walk through a neighbourhood to the Kowloon Tong subway station, and before I know it, I am back in the bustle of Hong Kong Island.

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Lion Rock (Hong Kong)

Lion Rock > Hong Kong > Asia

[Visited: July 2024]

Around the World in 80 Clicks