One of the best things about Hong Kong is how easy it is to get out of the bustling up and about city to go and experience its nature. As a landscape photography enthusiast, hiking in Hong Kong is how I kill time around, especially finding nice spots for the sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong.
There are a number of trails for hiking in Hong Kong and each one offering its unique view. Personally, I enjoy seeing the sunrise or the sunset from different vantage points. There’s just something about seeing those golden rays piercing through landscapes that get me. This is a list of the different views that I’ve captured for the sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong. Hopefully, this post will keep evolving as I hike and explore more spots for sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong.
Table of Contents
Victoria Peak
This location is a common recommendation for tourists. However, I usually see generic guides of how to hike Victoria Peak, but seldom showcase the best time for hiking. On one occasion, I went to the Peak to capture the Super Blood Moon of 2018 (i.e. the longest lunar eclipse of the century) and was able to capture the view at different times. People usually go to the Peak for both sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong, but definitely it is perfect for the latter. Probably the best sunrise view from this location would be the one on Lugard Road, around a 10-15mins walk from the main square at the Peak.
Hiking is not a requirement to see the views above as Victoria Peak is easily accessible by transportation such as the Peak Tram, bus, and taxi.
Tai Mo Shan – Highest peak for both sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong!
Probably one of the best sunsets I’ve captured when hiking in Hong Kong is from its highest peak, Tai Mo Shan. I was lucky since the day started out really really cloudy, but cleared up at the perfect time. The route I took was to take Bus 51 from Exit A of Tsuen Wan MTR station and alighted at Country Park station.
As the highest peak in Hong Kong, this is also amazing for sunrise! I actually “cheated” as I did not hike for the sunrise, but took a cab to the highest point. Well worth it!
Make your way to the top and conquer the highest mountain by witnessing how amazing sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong can be!
Sharp Peak
The name is appropriate as this one is the steepest incline you can get out of hiking in Hong Kong. I took on this challenge as I wanted to discover new and less crowded trails around. Hiking Sharp Peak is no easy feat that may require you to go on all fours. The route I took started along MacLehose Trail Stage 2, in Pak Tam Au. Continue along the trail and you will reach Chek Keng village. From there, carry forward and there will be a turn that takes you to the trail of Sharp Peak. It takes about another hour from that point to the peak.
Sharp Peak gives you a 360 degree open view, which makes it a perfect to see the sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong. I was extremely lucky with the sunset there.
Sunset Peak
The view from this trail eluded me the most in my years of living and hiking in Hong Kong. I’ve hiked this trail more than thrice already, but I haven’t really seen the best it could offer.
Despite that, it is still one of the hikes in Hong Kong that I wanted to try again (the first impression from 2016 was really good!) . The fastest route is by taking a bus from Tung Chung terminus and stop at Pak Kung Au. The bus stop will be directly in front of the starting point (also for Lantau trail!). It takes around 2-3 hours uphill to the peak, but on a good day there are views along the way already.
I did the hike once more to start things off in 2019. Although the day started out hazy (when is it not hazy in Hong Kong?), it cleared up in the afternoon. Talk about lucky! Do consider the position of the sun as this sunset view wasn’t captured from the peak, but midway through the hike. The spot where I took this photo was probably just around 1.5hours in.
After sunset, it gets dark really fast, so do not forget to bring a flashlight or a torch. I stayed behind with my friends saw many stars visible there already. No wonder people camp at the peak! I don’t have the best equipment to do astrophotography, but just sharing what I captured that night. I have another reason to go back to this trail! Or to make a Hong Kong camping post.
An interesting idea is to hike Sunset Peak and then camp at night. Afterwards, go down and make your way to catch the sunrise in Lantau Peak. Making the best of the sunset and sunrise view in Hong Kong!
Lantau Peak
2020 update: I finally captured the sunrise in Lantau Peak! Lantau Peak is the 2nd highest mountain in Hong Kong. The starting point I took is exactly the same as Sunset Peak, in Pak Kung Au, just headed the opposite side of the bus stop. Taking about 2.5hours to climb up from there, it definitely lies on the challenging and longer hikes on this list.
The view is definitely worth getting up in the wee hours and the effort because, well, look at that view. However, I must warn everyone that some luck is needed as this part of Lantau somehow defies weather forecasts. The situation can get really foggy, very fast, which is why it took me multiple tries in either Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak before I managed to get a decent photo.
My approach was what I said about that “interesting idea” for Sunset Peak. Go for the sunset, wait there until midnight to see a clear night sky (I wasn’t lucky), and then hike down continuing all the way to Lantau Peak for sunrise. This is long and not for everyone, but it does make for a great adventure. The scene below captures the twilight before sunrise at the peak.
Kam Kui Shek Teng: Epic Drone Shot for Sunset in Hong Kong
This hike needed a bit more research (I haven’t heard of it very often maybe because I am not local and the trail name is in Cantonese haha). However, after seeing the amazing photos of the views, I just had to go here and shoot! Because of the 360 degree vantage point, this spot will be a nice spot for the sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong. I opted to go there for the sunset (can’t bother to wake me up before sunrise hehe). Thankfully, I added a drone to my gear and was able to shoot the best perspective of this location.
Oh, do check out my vlog on this hike as well!
Braemar Hill
Hiking in Hong Kong is not always difficult, but lower difficulty does not mean the view is sacrificed. There are definitely quick wins around, but this 1-hour hike along Braemar Hill is my most notable. It is probably the easiest hike with the best view! If you do not have the time to go on a 3-4 hour hike, this trail is perfect to experience what hiking in Hong Kong has to offer. It is also very accessible by bus or minibus. I took Bus 25 along the Island side and it directly goes to the base of Braemar Hill.
Do check out my friend’s Airbnb experience which covers this trail every weekend. Reach out to her on Instagram (@marianne0109) as well!
Devil’s Peak
Another short and easy hike is Devil’s Peak. It is slightly more challenging than Braemar Hill, but the trail can still be finished in 40mins. The trail can be accessed by MTR to Yau Tong Exit A and just walk towards Lei Yue Mun Estate.
MacLehose Stage 1 – High Island Reservoir East Dam & Long Ke Beach
The MacLehose Trail is a 100-kilometre hiking trail that is probably one of the most sought after challenge hikers in Hong Kong have. The trail passes through a variety of natural scenery including beaches and mountains and is divided into 10 stages. The first stage begins in Pak Tam Chung and ends in Long Ke Beach through the High Island Reservoir East Dam. It is a very easy hiking path, mostly flat and a paved road throughout. The path is around a 10km stretch, so if you get tired, take a cab. My suggestion is to hike High Island Reservoir East Dam for sunset, and then camp in Long Ke for the sunrise. Perfect for seeing the sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong!
The High Island Reservoir East Dam is one of the special hikes in Hong Kong as it is part of UNESCO’s Global Geoparks. You see open views of the reservoir, touch hexagonal rock columns, and meet with buffaloes (lol). You may learn more about the reservoir through their website. I absolutely loved watching the sunset there.
After East Dam, make your way to Long Ke Beach by hiking further down the trail for about 15minutes. This is an official camping site, so you can bring a tent and spend the night here for sunrise and beach activities.
What do you think of these trails? I look forward to hiking and seeing more views of the sunset and sunrise in Hong Kong. Such as those other notable hikes mentioned earlier but not yet on this list. Let me know if you have other suggestions for future hikes around in capturing the sun moments! Hiking in Hong Kong is also one of my instagram-worthy things to do in Hong Kong. Check out what I have to say about it!