City hikes
Don't let August's heat and humidity keep you from going outdoors. It's the month for sun and fun, so why not combine sightseeing with walking to keep fit?
You should walk about 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy, according to Stephen Ma Hok-chun, who runs health education events and programmes at the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Group's Youth S.P.O.T.
Every 5,000 steps you take will burn up about 150 calories.
'We typically walk about 5,000 steps during our journey from home to school or the office. That means we need to spend another 30 minutes strolling every day to stay healthy.'
Walking is not an intensive exercise, but there are some precautions you should take.
Don't go strolling on a full stomach, advised Ma. 'You should only be about 70 to 80 per cent full. Otherwise you may become nauseous or reduce the benefits of walking.'
Also drink water constantly, as you will sweat heavily in the summer heat. Ma suggested about 100-200 millilitres of water every 15 minutes.
'When you feel thirsty, it means your body is sending you warning signals. By then, you are already dehydrated,' he explained.
Here are SYP's three favourite city trails, so fill up your water bottle and get walking:
The Hong Kong Park Route - Meet your friends at Pacific Place in Admiralty. Walk through Hong Kong Park - where the city's oldest surviving colonial building, Flagstaff House (now the Museum of Tea Ware) is located - to Kennedy Road. Go uphill along Tramway Path to MacDonnell Road where you will come across the First Church of Christ and St Paul's Co-educational College. Cross Garden Road to the final destination: the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, which has been open to the public since 1862.
The Central Police Station Route - Starting at Central Market, take the Mid-Levels escalator to Hollywood Road. From the Central Police Station, walk along Hollywood Road and you will come across a series of sites marked by the Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail, such as the Daoji Mission House and the Furen Literary Society in nearby Pak Tsz Lane. Stroll past Man Mo Temple, which was built in 1847, and walk upwards to Blake Garden on Tai Ping Shan Street. This area was a seedy place in the 1800s, with gambling houses and opium dens. It was the city's worst-affected area during the Bubonic Plague of 1894. Its narrowness is typical of early Hong Kong streets. Walk downhill to the final stop: Sheung Wan Civic Centre.
The Mongkok Trail - Start your journey at Waterloo Road near Yau Ma Tei MTR. Walk past Tung Wah Heritage Museum before turning into Yim Po Fong Street where the All Saints' Church and Mongkok Kwun Yum Temple are located. Walk through Tung Choi Street (aka Ladies' Market) and Goldfish Market before reaching the Flower Market and Yuen Po Street Bird Garden in Prince Edward. This area covers some of Hong Kong's trendiest shopping places, so you can stop at any point for refreshments and entertainment.
