How to hike Tai Long Wan

Tai Long Wan is perhaps the most beautiful place in Hong Kong. Despite its remote location, it is a perennial favourite for hikers for its clear water, distinctive hills and, primarily, four lovely beaches that stretch along the east coast of Sai Kung Country Park: Sai Wan, Ham Tin Wan, Tai Wan and Tung Wan. With waves rolling in uninterrupted from the South China Sea, no wonder surfers like it so much. This hike takes several hours and involves some fairly steep climbs, but the views are unbeatable.

Read more: Best hikes in Sai Kung

Getting there

The hike starts at the East Dam of High Island Reservoir on Stage One of the MacLehose Trail. There is no public transport to the East Dam of High Island Reservoir, so your only option is to take a taxi. From Sai Kung pier, the journey takes about 30 minutes to reach the East Dam. Alternatively, you can walk in from the country park gate at Pak Tam Chung, but be aware this will turn this into a seven to eight hour hike, covering 20 kilometres in distance.

Read more: How to hike High Island

Start at East Dam of High Island Reservoir

Pick up the path behind the pavilion and warm up by climbing a moderate set of steps, with the reservoir on the left and soon with a view of South China Sea on the right. Steps over, it’s a short walk along the hillside trail with the soft white sand of Long Ke Beach beckoning ahead.

There’s a popular government campsite just behind Long Ke beach, with barbecue pits, toilets and picnic tables. From Long Ke, you enter stage two of the MacLehose Trail. Walk behind the silky beach and get ready for a long uphill climb. There’s a pavilion after about a kilometre, where hikers can take a break before tackling the next set of steps.

Take in the view at Sai Wan Shan

The climb ends at a pavilion on Sai Wan Shan, the highest point of the hike at 313 metres. The descent offers great views of High Island Reservoir and its turquoise water, and then perhaps – the highlight of the hike – a breathtaking panorama of Tai Long Wan’s four beaches and Sharp Peak.

The path descends to a crossroads. Turn right, following the MacLehose Trail and head steeply downhill to Sai Wan. From Sai Wan follow the sandy path that runs parallel to the beach, past the helipad and the campsite. Take the bridge over Sheung Luk stream – famed for its upstream pools and cliff jumpers – and follow the path and steps up and over the headland.

Arrive at Tai Long Wan

Just before the path begins its descent, the view opens up onto Ham Tin Wan and Snoopy Island. At the end of the steps, diverge from the MacLehose Trail and walk onto the beach, crossing the narrow wooden bridge. There will be a couple of small restaurants offering simple meals and drinks. You’ve finally reached the sandy crown jewels of Sai Kung.

Getting back

To leave the area, catch the speedboat back to either Wong Shek Pier or Sai Kung. If you haven’t organised one already, the shop owners often have boats travelling back and forth. Alternatively, retrace your steps to Sai Wan and walk back to the trailhead at Sai Wan Pavilion, and catch the village bus 29R for the 30-minute journey to Sai Kung town.

Images courtesy of Eric Ho (Chopsticks on the Loose) unless otherwise stated.