Lantau Trail

Winding around the entire island of Lantau is an extensive 70 km network of hiking trails collectively known as the Lantau Trail. Heading out from Ngong Ping begins the first section known as the ‘Wisdom Path’ where a forest of tall wooden pillars with Chinese proverbs written on them, covers the hill side. From there the low traffic trail ascending Lantau peak begins.

The views on the way up into the green valleys of the island and the distant Buddha propped upon its peak makes for a pleasant walk. Soon however the morning mist becomes thick clouds and visibility becomes restricted to only a few meters ahead as the brisk winds sweep over the island. The silence and tranquility on the mountain is indescribable especially considering that somewhere below the clouds is one of the busiest port cities in the world.

From the clouds above the silence and solitude was broken only once, when unexpectedly I began to hear music. As it got nearer I could make out the song ‘everybody was kung fu fighting’ as an old man appeared carrying an old radio on his shoulder descending the mountain and singing along. It was the most peculiar thing and I couldn’t help but start hysterically laughing out loud all the way to the summit.

The descent to the beach on the other side of the island is equally impressive as the clouds begin to give way to the sight of a winding stone path through golden fields. The extensiveness of the trails became apparent as it branches into many directions and with no one around to ask for directions getting lost was imminent. When I at last emerged it was in the most bizarre of places, the entrance to the Tong Fuk Correctional Facility where I had to sit and wait for a bus amid a herd of cattle. A most obscure end to an interesting day.