Tung Chung to Tai O (Photo-essay)

Two Fridays ago was one of Hong Kong's seventeen public holidays. Even better was it being one of the twelve designated statutory holidays. Traditionally, Chung Yeung is the day in autumn when Hong Kongers go and visit the graves of their ancestors. These days, however, it's not only that but a very popular day for hiking. So... guess what I did on that day?

This time around, I opted to go hiking with an international group of friends (one each from Hong Kong, Germany and Singapore) along the northwest coast of Hong Kong's largest island, Lantau. At a little bit more than 5 hours, this excursion turned out to be the longest I've been on on foot in Hong Kong. At the same time though, it was by no means the most exhausting as Tung Chung to Tai O turned out to be more of a leisurely walk -- along relatively flat as well as largely paved trails -- than a hike.

Still, as can be seen below, it's not as though I didn't get many opportunities to 'exercise' my camera along the way. So I was happy. And this especially as there was good food at the end of the hike over in the village of Tai O and good company to enjoy throughout the day... :)

The walking trail officially started
near this Hau Wong Temple in Tung Chung

I took advantage of the Taoist temple
being among the few in Hong Kong
whose exterior I was freely allowed to photograph

Part of the walk brings one directly under
the path of the currently stationary
Ngong Ping 360 cable car service

Old, abandoned village houses in the foreground
and a partial view of what looks to have been
its direct replacement in the background

View across the bay
to a reclaimed portion of Lantau
on which Hong Kong International Airport sits

See how easy (and popular) this walk is? :b

Still, it's not like we were entirely
far from nature and greenery though!

Ending this photo-essay midway through the hike
-- and on a cultural note --
with another photo of a small Taoist temple
(this one dedicated to the three emperors of the mountains)