Shek O
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Shek O

Shek O
Shek O
Shek O, meaning rocky bay, is characterised by two beaches and a 701-hectare country park, all of which are situated on the south eastern coast of Hong Kong Island. Its northern beach - Big Wave Bay - is popular with surfers and is home to a prehistoric rock carving depicting geometric designs and animals. The south beach, called Shek O, is popular with swimmers and water sport enthusiasts.
Visitors at the Po Pin Chau Viewing Platform during the holidays on December 27, 2025. Photo: Edmond So
Accidents and personal safety

Editorial | Tourists must put safety first in quest for the perfect photo

The tragic death of a visitor in Sai Kung and other fatal accidents should prompt caution among travellers.

Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong paraglider dies in crash after being swept into air by strong winds

Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong’s whale of a tale: famous skeleton at Shek O gets new lease of life

What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend October 3-5

Make Sanrio-themed crafts, head to a gelato festival, clean up a beach or watch Juno Mak’s new film – the choice is yours this weekend.

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This weekend, Sanrio fans can transform upcycled denim to make Hello Kitty keychains at the Mills in Tsuen Wan. Photo: The Mills Fabrica
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Privacy is paramount as Hong Kong deploys drones to enforce traffic laws

Efforts to improve road safety at accident hotspots are welcome, but public fears about being spied on should not be dismissed.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Editorial | Technology can help as Hong Kong’s rainy season poses threat of landslides

City has made advances to guard against dangerous slopes, but with climate change affecting weather patterns, vigilance remains paramount.

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Hong Kong society

Hong Kong officials say 80 slopes on remote road to Shek O must be checked, fixed

Civil Engineering and Development Department says first phase of works to start in 2027, but residents urge authorities to speed up timeline.

Shek O Road was forced to close for more than a day last September when record rainfall triggered two massive landslides along the route and cut off 200 residents living in the area. Photo: Antony Dickson
Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong slopes at crucial points to get priority for work to cut landslide risks

Government engineers say slopes near sole access points and busy roads will be singled out for remedial work to reduce landslide risk.

Accidents and personal safety

Editorial | Drownings in Hong Kong another heartbreak warning

Deaths of brother and sister at Hong Kong beauty spot underline tragic need for greater caution by those venturing off the beaten track.

Accidents and personal safety

Mainland siblings drown at Hong Kong ‘hidden gem’ as rescue bid ends in tragedy

Man, 55, dies in rescue attempt after he and brother dive into sea to try and save sister, 57.

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The brother who survived is taken to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan. Photo: Handout
John Lee policy address 2023

Hi-tech methods to be deployed in Hong Kong’s battle against weather crises

Big data and artificial intelligence to be mobilised by government to improve responses to natural disasters and climate change.

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Serious flooding in Chai Wan after September’s record-breaking rainfall. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong areas hard-hit by last big storm, record rainfall brace for typhoon

Shau Kei Wan and Shek O, still clearing up after Super Typhoon Saola and later record rainstorm, fear further damage as Koinu nears.

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Hong Kong weather

Traffic lane to Hong Kong’s Shek O reopens after landslides cut off area

Authorities reopen traffic lane at 9pm on Saturday to allow light vehicles to pass.

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Accidents and personal safety

Hong Kong emergency services rescue paraglider, 74, after crash on hillside

Paraglider was stranded for six hours near Dragon’s Back hiking trail, according to police.

A bird’s eye view from the Dragon’s Back, where a paraglider crashed on Friday. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong society

Lifeguards worked at only 18 of Hong Kong’s 42 beaches over weekend

Of city’s 42 public beaches 21 remained open without lifeguards and three have been temporarily closed.

Lifeguards on duty at the Repulse Bay Beach. Photo: Jelly Tse
Fashion

‘I love that element of surprise’: Indonesian fashion designer’s ecoprints

Looking to keep her creative juices flowing amid the pandemic, Hong Kong-based Indonesian fashion designer Ika Butoni turned to ecoprinting, a sustainable technique incorporating natural dyeing.

Hong Kong police

Police called to Hong Kong beach after sex doll mistaken for human body

Online footage shows police unwrapping object and finding ‘human-like plastic toy’.

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Apps

Letters | Hong Kong’s contact tracing app reinforces smart city goals

Readers discuss the decision to make the use of the Leave Home Safe app mandatory for entry to government buildings, the government’s zero-Covid strategy, the prohibition on surfing at a local beach, and Taiwan’s predicament.

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People use the Leave Home Safe app to enter Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Jordan on November 1, the day it became mandatory to use the app to enter government facilities. Photo: Felix Wong
Environment

The couple trying to clean Hong Kong’s polluted waters

With the backing of HSBC, non-profit organisation Clean Waterways Initiative has launched two zero-emissions boats to help keep the seas clean.

Hong Kong dining & recommendations

A pescatarian picks her go-to places to eat in Hong Kong

A lover of spicy Asian food, Hong Kong-born Kate Babington recalls a memorable meat-free meal in Yangon and tells us why Red Pepper is always the place to take visitors.

Climbing and mountaineering

Where to go outdoor bouldering in Hong Kong

Gym-goers are stuck for climbing spots as all facilities owing to coronavirus, but this might be the perfect time to transition outdoors.

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Shek O headland has accessible and varied options for boulders. Photo: SCMP
Accidents and personal safety

Shek O in rural Hong Kong hit by blackout from cable glitch

HK Electric is investigating matter and the company has arranged mobile generators for residents.

Residents in the dark amid the blackout in Shek O. Photo: Amanda Johnstone
Crime

More luxury homes burgled as police warn of manpower depleted by protests

Reports of burglaries have soared in the past three months in some districts with police resources devoted to anti-government protests.

Beauty

Art you can’t see in aromatherapist’s Hong Kong installation

Haley Alexander van Oosten has a background in fragrances, and her art installation reflects this. She has filled atomisers with scents from objects and plant matter collected after Typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong, which visitors can play with.

Hong Kong environmental issues

Big Wave Bay beach closed as flood damage leads to finger pointing

Trail of rocks and debris leaves residents dismayed, officials flummoxed. Local shopkeeper says, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this.’

Big Wave Bay beach in Shek O on Thursday. The river broke its banks during heavy rain on Tuesday and drove a stream of rocks and debris to the sea. Photo: Antony Dickson
Crime in Hong Kong

Opinion | Hate speech and tasteless messages are not art

Shek O, which means ‘rocky bay’, is surrounded by rugged granite and rocky volcanic cliffs, whose boulders have recently been spray-painted by mindless vandals

Some of the graffiti sprayed on Shek O’s rocks doesn’t even make sense. Photo: Kylie Knott
Typhoon Mangkhut

Selfish? Not Hongkongers, as post-typhoon clean-up efforts show

Typhoon Mangkhut

Sewage leaks into Hong Kong's ‘back garden’ after typhoon

Residents warned to avoid five beaches and environmentalists express serious concerns as officials say repairing the damage could take months.

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