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Put nature and adventure on the agenda with a camping trip

Scarlet Ma

There are many ways to appreciate the natural beauty of Hong Kong, and camping is one of them. With cooler weather on the horizon, consider nurturing the adventurer within. There are 37 campsites dotted around Hong Kong's country parks. Here are some of the best.

Hok Tau Campsite

Location: Hok Tau, Pat Sin Leng Country Park, New Territories

Tent space: 40

Facilities: Barbecue pits, benches and tables, clothes lines, bathrooms, flushing toilets, sinks and pavilions.

Transport: Take minibus 52K from Fanling railway station and get off at Hok Tau Tsuen terminus. Stroll along Hok Tau Road towards Hok Tau Reservoir for 15 minutes.

Description: Adjacent to Hok Tau Reservoir, the site is surrounded by trees, birds and cool, freshwater streams. It is easily accessible and good for families and beginners new to outdoor adventuring.

Hok Tau Reservoir Family Walk is flat and well-paved, which makes it ideal for families. The one-hour walk leads to several streams and a forest.

The site features many walking routes connected with Sha Lo Tung or Lau Shui Heung Reservoir. Nearby ranges, such as Ping Fung Shan and Pat Sin Leng, pose more of a challenge.

Tung Lung Chau Campsite

Location: Tung Lung Chau

Tent space: 7

Facilities: Barbecue pits, benches and tables, dry toilet pits, information boards and pavilions.

Transport: Take the ferry from Sam Ka Tsuen at Lei Yue Mun or Sai Wan Ho ferry pier. It takes about 20 minutes. Ferries only run on weekends. Ferry services telephone inquiries: Sam Ka Tsuen (Coral Sea Ferry: 2513 1103); Sai Wan Ho ferry pier (Lam Kee Ferry: 2560 9929)

Description: This historical little island is where the Qing dynasty (1662-1722) Tung Lung Chau Fort is located. It was built to protect the island from pirates. Tung Lung Chau also has the largest ancient rock carving in Hong Kong (a complicated pattern resembling dragons) which measures 180cm by 240cm.

The campsite is about a 20-minute walk to the northwest from the pier. There are occasional rough waves along the coast near the campsite, and visitors intending to fish are advised to do so with care.

Tsin Yue Wan Campsite

Location: Tsin Yue Wan, Lantau South Country Park

Tent space: 8

Facilities: Barbecue pits, benches, dry toilet pits; no taps but a water supply from a stream.

Transport: 1) Take Bus 11 from Tung Chung Town or Bus 1 from Mui Wo towards Tai O. Get off at Shek Pik Reservoir's west station. Walk back up to stages 7 and 8 of the Lantau Trail to Tai O, for about two hours. 2) From Tung Chung Town, take Bus 11 or Bus 1 from Mui Wo to Tai O. Get off at Tai O bus terminus and turn to the Lantau Trail Stage 7 path. Walk in the direction of Shek Pik for about two hours.

Description: Situated to the southwest of Hong Kong, this location offers some of the most beautiful sunsets - comparable to sunrise from Lantau Peak.

The 'chicken wing peak' Kai Yet Kok is near the campsite. The island's protruding south arm and low north part gave the site its name. Fan Lau Sai Wan is 500 metres south of Tsin Yue Wan, which has clear water and fine sand.

The hills, seas and sky complete the tranquil scene.

There are two declared monuments nearby; Fan Lau Fort and Stone Circle, at Fan Lau. Fan Lau Fort dates back to 1729 during the Qing dynasty when Yongzheng was emperor. The Stone Circle is a circular arrangement of stones, which some people believe to be a structure of the New Stone Age or early Bronze Age, possibly built for ritualistic purposes.

Wan Tsai Peninsula South Campsite

Location: Wan Tsai Peninsula South, Sai Kung West Country Park

Tent space: 10

Facilities: Pavilions, barbecue pits, benches and tables, large-scale bathing and toilet facilities (also set up for the handicapped)

Transport: 1) From Sai Kung bus terminal take Bus 94 or Bus 96R at Diamond Hill MTR bus terminal on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Get off at the Wong Shek terminus. Then hop onto the Wan Tsai-bound ferry at Wong Shek Pier. From Wan Tsai Pier, a five-minute walk leads to the campsite; 2) From Sai Kung, take minibus 7 to Hoi Ha Village. Then follow the Tai Tan Country Trail and walk for about 45 minutes.

Description: Wan Tsai Peninsula campsites are designed with plenty of facilities. This one overlooks Hoi Ha Marine Park, which is a good viewing point to Tai Tan Hoi. It is also a good spot for fishing. If you know how to gather clams, they are in abundance here, ensuring a good seafood dinner.

The 2km Wan Tsai Nature Trail reveals the biological and geographical value of the area.

Walk 25 minutes south from the campsite to reach Hoi Ha, which has shops, restaurants and boats for hire.

Sam A Chung Campsite

Location: Sam A Chung, Plover Cove Country Park, New Territories

Tent space: 4

Facilities: Barbecue pits, benches and tables, dry toilet pits and clothes lines; no taps but a stream water supply

Transport: Take minibus 20C from Tai Po Market in Nam Shing Street to Wu Kau Tang or Bus 275R on Sundays and statutory holidays to Bride's Pool bus terminal. Walk along Bride's Pool Road towards Wu Kau Tang, then head towards Sam A Tsuen along the Wu Kau Tang country trail (about one hour).

Description: This site is situated on a small hill by a stream. It features a wide variety of landforms, such as rock cliffs and sand pits. Many fish and a variety of coral species can be found along the Sam A Wan coastline. Features of the coastal rocks are spectacular.

Lai Chi Wo village, right next to the campsite, is a traditional Hakka walled village built more than 300 years ago. In front of the village is a mangrove swamp.

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