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About Tai Mo Shan

Although Hong Kong is in the tropics, frost and icicles occasionally appear on the upper slopes of Tai Mo Shan, the city’s highest peak and an extinct volcano. This mighty mountain at the heart of the New Territories surpasses all other peaks in the city for its altitude and magnitude, and it’s noticeably cooler up there. Sometimes you’ll find yourself briefly surrounded by quick-moving clouds, or even see them filling valleys far below. Follow this trail for some of the most striking views Hong Kong has to offer. It is also one of the best places to catch the sunrise in Hong Kong.

Recommended Hiking Route — Tai Mo Shan

Refuel

There is a kiosk at Rotary Park, where you can relax and refuel before starting your hike.

Rotary Park

Head up the steps from the car park and you’ll find a sundial set in the centre of a garden. In springtime, you can take Instagram-worthy photos of colourful blossoms on the Taiwan cherry trees here. Walk across to the Rotary Park viewing point, from which, through a parting in the forest, you can see the Victoria Harbour and even as far as Hong Kong Island. If you venture a few minutes down the trails from here, you’ll reach beautifully decorated Chinese-style pavilions shaded by leafy boughs.

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Before you set out, check the weather forecast with the Hong Kong Observatory’s Hiking Trail Weather Service. Weather conditions can change quickly in mountainous areas. Bring suitable clothing, enough water, a hat and sunscreen.

Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre

Return to Tai Mo Shan Road, a little further up the hill stands the Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre. Take some time to view the exhibitions of local wildlife, weather trends and environmental issues, as it will enhance your understanding of the places you are about to see.

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Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre is open from 9:30am to 4:30pm on Monday and Wednesday to Sunday. It’s closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and the first two days of the Chinese New Year.​

Tai Mo Shan Lookout

You can now leave the road behind, and start hiking on MacLehose Trail Section 8. It leads up from the Visitor Centre, hugging the hillside until it brings you to the Tai Mo Shan Lookout — an exposed, windy spot with stunning panoramic views. When the weather is favourable, you have a dramatic view out across the Yuen Long plain — and the sunrise here is incomparable. At other times, the altitude can cause the Lookout to be enveloped in clouds; but they may disperse as quickly as they descended.

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Weather Radar Station

Instead of trees, tall silvergrass grows on the upper slopes of Tai Mo Shan. The grass blades wave gently in the breeze and catch the sunlight as you hike higher up the mountain. When you see the huge golf-ball dome of the Hong Kong Observatory’s weather radar station, you know you are approaching the 957 m summit — another great photo spot. From this airy vantage point you’re treated to expansive views of mountain ridges extending in all directions, as well as the urban areas and sea channels. On a clear day, almost the entirety of Hong Kong — mountains, city, islands and harbour — can be seen in one sweeping 360-degree panorama.

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Dining Option:​ Chuen Lung

From Rotary Park, a trail leads downhill for half an hour through pretty woodland to Chuen Lung village. This long-established settlement is known for the watercress which is grown here in fields fed by mountain streams. The village has old-fashioned tea houses serving dim sum during the day — think har gau (shrimp dumpling), siu mai (pork dumpling), char siu bao (honey-glazed roast pork bun) and other traditional favourites.

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Taiwan Cherry at  Rotary Park

Rotary Park

Head up the steps from the car park and you’ll find a sundial set in the centre of a garden. In springtime, you can take Instagram-worthy photos of colourful blossoms on the Taiwan cherry trees here. Walk across to the Rotary Park viewing point, from which, through a parting in the forest, you can see the Victoria Harbour and even as far as Hong Kong Island. If you venture a few minutes down the trails from here, you’ll reach beautifully decorated Chinese-style pavilions shaded by leafy boughs.

Next: Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre
Grassland and Kiosk

Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre

Return to Tai Mo Shan Road, a little further up the hill stands the Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre. Take some time to view the exhibitions of local wildlife, weather trends and environmental issues, as it will enhance your understanding of the places you are about to see.

Next: Tai Mo Shan Lookout
Hiking Trail Under Sunset

Tai Mo Shan Lookout

You can now leave the road behind, and start hiking on MacLehose Trail Section 8. It leads up from the Visitor Centre, hugging the hillside until it brings you to the Tai Mo Shan Lookout — an exposed, windy spot with stunning panoramic views. When the weather is favourable, you have a dramatic view out across the Yuen Long plain — and the sunrise here is incomparable. At other times, the altitude can cause the Lookout to be enveloped in clouds; but they may disperse as quickly as they descended.

Next: Weather Radar Station
Close Arial shot of the Weather radar

Weather Radar Station

Instead of trees, tall silvergrass grows on the upper slopes of Tai Mo Shan. The grass blades wave gently in the breeze and catch the sunlight as you hike higher up the mountain. When you see the huge golf-ball dome of the Hong Kong Observatory’s weather radar station, you know you are approaching the 957 m summit — another great photo spot. From this airy vantage point you’re treated to expansive views of mountain ridges extending in all directions, as well as the urban areas and sea channels. On a clear day, almost the entirety of Hong Kong — mountains, city, islands and harbour — can be seen in one sweeping 360-degree panorama.

Dining Option:​ Chuen Lung
Phoenix claws with Sparerib Rice

Dining Option:​ Chuen Lung

From Rotary Park, a trail leads downhill for half an hour through pretty woodland to Chuen Lung village. This long-established settlement is known for the watercress which is grown here in fields fed by mountain streams. The village has old-fashioned tea houses serving dim sum during the day — think har gau (shrimp dumpling), siu mai (pork dumpling), char siu bao (honey-glazed roast pork bun) and other traditional favourites.

Start again

Transport

Getting to Rotary Park

Leaving from Weather Radar Station

Take bus 51 from Nina Mall, near MTR Tsuen Wan West Station. Alight at Tai Mo Shan Country Park Bus Stop. Walk back along the road and then turn left to follow the path leading up to Rotary Park.
Walk back downhill the way you came. From Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre, the MacLehose Trail leads back down to Route Twisk and emerges beside a bus stop. There, you can take bus 51 back to Tsuen Wan. The bus also stops at Chuen Lung if you choose to leave from there.

Getting to Rotary Park

Take bus 51 from Nina Mall, near MTR Tsuen Wan West Station. Alight at Tai Mo Shan Country Park Bus Stop. Walk back along the road and then turn left to follow the path leading up to Rotary Park.

Leaving from Weather Radar Station

Walk back downhill the way you came. From Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre, the Maclehose Trail leads back down to Route Twisk and emerges beside a bus stop. There, you can take bus 51 back to Tsuen Wan. The bus also stops at Chuen Lung if you choose to leave from there.

Feature stories

Explore Hong Kong with insider tips

Feature stories

Explore Hong Kong with insider tips

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