Review | The 25 Best Day Walks in Hong Kong, from the Dragon’s Back to Lion Rock – book review
- Williams’ book is a colourful, 160-page guide to the city’s best hiking trails, which will appeal to those new to exploring Hong Kong’s wilds
- Its thoughtfully designed size means it can fit into the pocket of a backpack
The 25 Best Day Walks in Hong Kong by Martin Williams, pub. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd. 3.5 stars
Hong Kong might be famed internationally for its urban cityscape, but few tourists to the city are prepared for the sheer range and diversity of the hikes on offer.
Photographer and conservationist Martin Williams has attempted to condense Hong Kong’s finest trails into the guidebook The 25 Best Day Walks in Hong Kong, touted on the cover as “One book to hike them all!”
The city might not offer the volcanic adventures of Mordor, but Hong Kong is home to some impressive and deceptively challenging mountains hikes, including Ma On Shan, Tai Mo Shan and Lantau Peak, which Williams helps readers traverse through detailed descriptions mixed with historical context and wildlife trivia.
With a modern, colourful and thoughtfully designed layout and sized to fit into the pocket of a backpack, the 160-page guide will appeal to those new to exploring Hong Kong’s wilds and who are looking for a trusty companion on the city’s tried-and-tested walks.
Generously featured throughout the book, Williams’ excellent photographs show the city at its most vibrant, celebrating all manner of creatures and plants, and bringing life to his equally vivid writing.