Beyond
its big city vibe and bustling shopping and marketplaces, it hides a wealth of
nature spots and soulful activities.
Growing
up in an era a couple of decades away from the advent of low-budget airlines, I
saw our rich neighbors jet off to Hong Kong for shopping trips. At the start of
every school year, I would listen to a couple of classmates telling stories of
high-rise buildings and the video games they brought home. Since then, I have
come to associate the place as where the affluent Filipinos go for holidays.
 |
| At just one of the many scenic vantage spots atop Biu Tsim Kok |
When
I reached college and had developed a fondness for reading, I discovered a
deeper narrative of Hong Kong that transcended its dazzling facade. I also realized
that not only wealthy Filipinos, but also job-seeking Filipinos, primarily as
laborers and domestic helpers, were drawn to Hong Kong in search of better
opportunities. I also kept abreast of current events, particularly those
related to its handover to China from the United Kingdom. Additionally, I
explored various literary works, specifically from Paul Theroux, whose Kowloon
Tong novel made me imagine myself as one of its characters, navigating Hong
Kong’s lively urban landscape.
 |
| Big Buddha at Ngong Ping |
Even
when I dreamed of traveling to other places in Asia, such as Angkor Wat, the
Taj Mahal, and the Great Wall of China, Hong Kong remained at the back of my
mind. "One day," I would tell myself each time I see
photographs of Hong Kong on the pages of a magazine.
 |
| FWD House at 1881 redefines modern architecture by retaining its heritage vibe |
When
the early 2010s rolled in and a number of budget airlines started selling
affordable tickets, that “day” arrived as Hong Kong became one of the
earliest stamps on my passport. My first trip to the island satisfied many of
my curiosities about Hong Kong.
 |
| Hongkong City Skyline at Night |
I
walked 20,000 steps daily, hopped into a train at random stations, transferred
from one bus to another, went temple hopping, saw the Big Buddha at Ngong Ping,
had a photo of myself taken with the statue of Bruce Lee, and picked food from
menus written in Chinese characters.
 |
| The 12-degree C temperature makes for a nice chilly walk |
That
was my first memorable brush with Hong Kong. I always planned on returning but
kept pushing it back. Fortunately, an opportunity to come back fell on my lap,
coinciding with my birthday week this year.
 |
| Inside the Chi Lin Nunnery |
In
an initiative organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, this writer joined five
other members of the media from the Philippines on a 6-day familiarization trip
to Hong Kong along with seven industry peers from Indonesia.
The Green Side of Hong
Kong
As
most tourists to Hong Kong spend the majority of their time in giant malls or
snaking through narrow alleyways of local markets, we spent the large chunk of
our 6-day journey uncovering a different facet of Hong Kong. By following an off-the-usual
tourist route currently being promoted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, it led
us away from the towering skyscrapers dominating the skyline of Hong Kong's
central business district and instead brought us to peaceful nature spots
across the region’s many islands.
 |
| Hong Kong's green side should satisfy every great outdoor enthusiast. Photo by HK Tourism Board |
Although
Hong Kong is regarded as a modern and cosmopolitan region filled with massive
concrete structures, Feng Shui-influenced buildings, and high-density
neighborhoods, this highly developed special administrative region of China
still preserves more than 40% of its total land area as green space, covering a
total of more than 44,000 hectares, four established nature trails (one of
which reaches 100 kilometers), 24 country parks, and several designated nature
parks.
Went
Shopping Hiking in Hong Kong
Having
enjoyed a laid-back first day, we traveled to the south-eastern part of the Sai
Kung Peninsula, the easternmost part of Hong Kong's New Territories, to have
our first taste of Hong Kong’s great outdoors.
 |
| The High Island Dam is just one of the many amazing sights we encountered during our hike |
We
traveled down a lengthy route that cuts across the High Island Reservoir,
providing us with picturesque views of the blue skies and turquoise waters
glistening with crystal reflections. Up ahead, we started encountering hikers starting
their walk on the side of the road.
 |
| Our Hiking Guide Gabi Baumgartner |
"You
can start your hike here,"
our guide Gabi Baumgartner advises us, "but we're going to begin ours
at the East Dam trail, which is still part of the High Island Geo Trail."
 |
| Enjoying the view first before we begin our hike |
An
operation manager of Walk Hong Kong, an outdoor company that conducts hiking
tours in Hong Kong, Baumgartner first fell in love with the region when she
first arrived in 1996 from her home country of Switzerland.
 |
| Hike away at the East Dam Trail |
"I
have hiked through Hong Kong's four nature trails, and I'm bringing you to a
section of my favorite, the MacLehose trail," she tells us as she introduces herself
inside our mini bus.
 |
| The East Dam Trail leads to postcard-worthy views such as this one |
As
we inch our way closer to the East Dam trail, Baumgartner regales us with
stories about Hong Kong's countryside, specifically pointing out a group of
cows roaming on the side of the road. "Back in the 1970s, the area
around here was used as an agricultural farm.". However, by the time
the communities expanded to this part of Hong Kong, the agricultural farms were
converted to residential, and the remaining became nature parks.
 |
| Just your ordinary East Dam Trail scenery |
The
use of cows for agricultural purposes slowly dwindled. "These cows were
the descendants of the working cows of the 1970s. Today, they just roam around
freely."
Expecting a hectic pace of a typical day hike I’ve had in the Philippines, I mentally focused on the trail ahead. What was supposed to be an exhausting day turned out to be literally a walk in the park. In this case, as we ventured into the heart of Hong Kong's UNESCO Global Geopark, the massive piles of hexagonal volcanic rocks beneath a series of columnar rock formations, believed to have formed during the Devonian and Paleogene eras 50-150 million years ago, left me mouthing the word “wow”
 |
| Massive columns of hexagonal volcanic rocks |
The
Geopark links up with the MacLehose Trail, and as we begin our ascent up the
East Dam trail, we are greeted by even more breathtaking panoramas. Walking at
a relaxed pace, we reached the Biu Tsim Kok viewpoint, which gifted us with a
clear vantage point to see the expansive High Island Reservoir, the East Dam
Wall, and the remaining section of the MacLehose Trail, which Baumgartner had
directed us to "lead all the way there," meaning to the edge of the
other island.
 |
| Despite the morning sun, the cool January weather made our hike a bearable and chill one |
Despite
my expectation of sweating profusely, the cool temperature hovering just above
18 degrees Celsius on a sunny morning left me pleasantly surprised to feel dry
clothing on my body. "The best months to hike in Hong Kong are from
October to April because of the cool temperature," Baumgartner tells us.
Seeing
a different impression of Hong Kong, which is more in keeping with the first
reason I fell in love with traveling—the wonderful outdoors—gives me a newfound
appreciation of Hong Kong on top of the vibrant, neon-lit metropolis I
encountered on my first visit over ten years ago.
Hop
on the Dragon’s Back
"A
new day, a new outdoor adventure" may very well be the theme of our
Hong Kong trip, as another morning brought us with decent sunshine, a chilly
air, and one more magnificent trek to a picturesque highpoint called the
"Dragon's Back".
 |
| Media members from the Philippines and Indonesia |
Nestled
along an 8-kilometer trail, this route begins at the To Tei Wan bus stop and
winds its way to the pristine shores of Big Wave Bay. While we didn't traverse
the entire trail, our stop at the rocky ridges of the Dragon's Back viewing
platform rewarded us with a breathtaking 360-degree landscape of the
enrapturing Hong Kong countryside — particularly the Shek O Peninsula.
 |
| Dragon's Back, alright |
Similar
to the part of the MacLehose Trail we explored on the East Dam Trail, the paved
trail here provided steady footing as we meandered beneath a lush canopy of
trees and a vibrant array of flora, with twisted roots weaving their way
through the landscape.
 |
| On top of the Dragon's Back |
We
encountered other hikers along the way, including whole families with children,
giving me the impression that Hong Kong's outdoor attractions are becoming more
popular with locals and tourists alike.
Stop
and Bathe in the Forest
One
of the fundamental tenets of personal wellness involves prioritizing slowing
down and indulging in sensory experiences, as the adage “stop and smell the
flowers” suggests. Modern concepts like "forest bathing" are taking
hold among nature lovers beyond Hong Kong as a means to connect with nature
while also introducing soulful practices such as meditation.
 |
| Our Forest bathing guide Amanda Yik |
Our
forest guide, Amanda Yik, herself a certified forest therapy guide, led us on a
lovely and easy stroll along an established mountain trail through the forests
of Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong's highest peak and a popular country park for hikers,
bikers, and campers.
 |
| A "forest bathing invitation" is like a sharing session |
We
strolled gingerly, stopping frequently to indulge in the "pleasure of
presence," as Amanda coins it. During these stops, she extended
"series of invitations" for us to share our appreciation and
observations.
 |
| My "befriended tree" |
The
first invitation allowed the nine of us to share our standout memory of being
with nature. I recounted to the group about how a trip to a waterfall in the
province of Laguna during my senior year with my older brother and his friends
triggered my love of the outdoors. The others recounted their own favorites as
well, thus allowing me to imagine a vivid picture of their sporty, outdoorsy
sides, as well.
 |
| Bathe with Nature |
Forest
bathing, according to Amanda, originated in Japan as "shirin-yoku,"
the Japanese's idea of meditating in the forest; it involves stepping out into
the wild, breathing deeply, and letting the trees do their magic. “It isn’t
just a simple walk through—rather, it’s a soul-drenched communion with nature,”
Amanda tells us. "No Wi-Fi, no rush—just you, the woods, and pure, untamed
peace,"
 |
| Bonding more over a cup of tea after our forest bathing |
On
the last invitation, she gave us a few minutes to roam around so we could “find
and befriend a tree.” I chose one of the trees closest to me whose trunk is
covered by vines because it gave me an appealing blend of a wooden brown and
green appearance.
A
Bicycle Ride with a Dam Good View
Having
spent my first trip to Hong Kong weaving through city streets and chasing
trains, then tackling two days of hiking on this current visit, we figured
seeing the countryside from a different perspective—on two wheels sounded a
wonderful idea. We rented bikes and set off along a scenic cycling path that
stretched toward Plover Cove Dam, where the ride opened up to a serene, almost
meditative view of Hong Kong’s largest reservoir.
 |
| Cycling at the scenic Plover Cove Dam |
Considered
the world’s first freshwater coastal lake, it connects to the ocean through a
narrow waterway. A two-kilometer, two-lane road runs atop the dam and seawall,
where we found ourselves among a mix of cyclists, joggers, kite runners, and
dog walkers, all indulging in a leisurely afternoon amidst the captivating
landscape.
 |
| Getting ready for my bicycle tour |
For
those seeking more adventure, an 18-kilometer trail winds around the lake,
offering hikers panoramic views of the reservoir from every vantage point.
Bang
the Gong: Unwinding with the Power of Sound Healing
With
our more intense activities behind us, now stored as cherished memories in our
memory vault, we shifted gears toward a different kind of exploration—one
rooted in mindfulness and body parts’ movement. Embracing some of Hong Kong’s
time-honored traditions, we immersed ourselves in martial arts, found balance
through yoga, and experienced the soothing resonance of sound healing.
 |
| Martha Collard of Red Door Studio |
Fresh
from our forest bathing and reconnecting with nature, we made our way to
another side of Hong Kong Island—in Wong Chuk Hang to be exact. But this time,
instead of towering trees, we found ourselves in the city’s famed concrete
jungle. We stepped inside a high-rise building, rode up to the 21st floor, and
entered Red Doors Studio—a hidden sanctuary above the urban chaos.
 |
| The gong sound therapy studio set-up |
Stepping
out of the elevator we stepped inside a room filled with gongs of different
sizes, with the biggest measuring approximately 5-6 feet in diameter. Martha
Collard, the driving force behind Red Doors Studio, greets us warmly and gently
guides us to lie down as she begins to explain what’s to come. She delves into
the nuances of sound healing, focusing on the deep, resonant vibrations of
gongs and Tibetan singing bowls.
She
describes its meditative, sleep-inducing effects as a practice that helps
energy—chi or prana—flow freely through the body. But Collard’s belief in sound
healing isn’t just theoretical. It’s deeply personal. After experiencing a gong
bath, she says, her kidney stones dissolved. “I bought my first gongs after
that,” she tells us.
 |
| Us, being put to sleep by the soothing gong sounds |
Before
Collard put us to a soothing nap, she demonstrated how each bang of a gong
sounds differently even if you hit it on the same spot with the same power
suggesting the sound waves do not travel the same way thus creating a sound
that is always unique.
“Gongs
are used across cultures for various purposes and, in many cases, as sacred
tools,” Collard explains. The effects of a gong sound healing session, she
notes, vary from person to person. Some participants report deeper, more
restful sleep, while others notice physical benefits, such as improved posture
and muscle alignment. For many, the experience goes beyond the physical,
fostering a sense of spiritual clarity and overall well-being.
What
followed felt like a deep, hours-long slumber, though in reality, only an hour
and a half had passed. I only recall the beginning—Collard gently striking a
gong, its tone gradually filling the room. The sound carried a soothing
familiarity, reminiscent of the lullabies my mother once sang to ease me into
sleep. After that, I went to sleep.
Winging-in
some Wing Chun Martial Arts move
When
discussing Hong Kong martial arts, three names inevitably come to mind: Bruce
Lee, Jackie Chan, and Ip Man, also known as Ip Kai-man (1893-1972).
 |
| Wing Chun master Robin Tsang making light work of the poor demonstration volunteers |
If
Jeet Kune Do is to Bruce Lee and Kung fu is to Jackie Chan, the IP Man is then known
for his Wing Chun style, which is a Southern Chinese variation of kung-fu.
Popularized by the Ip Man film series starring Donnie Yen in the 2010s,
this martial art style gained worldwide attention, revealing to many that the
late great Bruce Lee, was once a student of Ip Man. As a result, Wing Chun has
surged in popularity, attracting both seasoned practitioners and newcomers
eager to learn its powerful techniques.
Located
on one of the highest floors of an old building in Tsim Sha Tsui district, we
stepped into Robin Tsang’s gym. Tsang, who learned Wing Chun from Leung Tin,
one of Ip Man’s former students, runs the space with a deep respect for the
martial art’s discipline.
Though
not particularly tall, Master Tsang’s muscular build and swift movements give
him the appearance of an experienced martial artist—evident from the framed
photos of him with other practitioners and newspaper clippings displayed
throughout the gym.
 |
| That was one insightful and a lil ouchy glimpse into the Wing Chun Martial Arts |
Don’t
let his jovial demeanor and wide-eyed smile fool you. As soon as Tsang began
demonstrating basic Wing Chun self-defense techniques, even the slightest move
from him sent an unlucky volunteer—an eager member of the Indonesian
media—tumbling off the foam mat.
The
session was both enjoyable and challenging as we tried to mimic Tsang’s
demonstrations of Wing Chun’s fundamental movements. I just hope I can remember
some of them, should I ever find myself in a troublesome situation with
criminal elements on a dark street. Knock on wood for that not to happen but
picking up some knowledge of Wing Chun would be very helpful for sure. I was
glad this became part of our Hong Kong itinerary.
A
Grounding Yoga Session on Grass
Our
wellness journey led us to an unexpected sanctuary known as the Hideout; a
tranquil escape nestled in the heart of Lantau Island. Despite being situated
in the busier part of the island, it retains a rural charm, surrounded by rice
fields and the island’s gently rolling hills.
 |
| Yoga session at the Hideout with Tina Wojewnik |
Here,
we joined Yogi Tina Wojewnik, a foreign expat turned yoga teacher, for a
90-minute Hatha Flow session. Although I had some prior yoga experience in
Manila, the class still challenged me. Yet, by the end, I found my body craving
more, beginning to understand why so many find themselves drawn to yoga’s
transformative power.
Though
this yoga class was just a tiny blip in the many thrilling activities we undertook
in Hong Kong, it provided much-needed balance after days of outdoor adventures.
I’d highly recommend yoga as a welcome addition to any itinerary, particularly
in Hong Kong, where the vibrant yoga community and serene spots like the
Hideout offer an ideal setting for wellness pursuits.
Tai
Chi in the City
When
we weren’t exploring Hong Kong’s outdoors or savoring its mix of local
favorites and Michelin-starred dining, we found ourselves immersed in the
artistic ambiance of our accommodation—the 42-story Cordis Hotel, which stands
right smack in the center of Mong Kok. Lining its hallways, lounges, and lobby
were more than 1,500 pieces of contemporary Chinese art, turning the space into
a living gallery.
 |
| Tai Chi Master Cheunt |
It
was also here, on the morning of our departure to Manila, that we had one final
experience—a Tai Chi session to close out our trip. Every morning, Cordis Hotel
at Langham Place offers a Tai Chi class on its 42nd-floor pool deck, with
panoramic views of Kowloon as the backdrop.
 |
| Master Cheunt showing Rana Dizon the moves |
Under
the guidance of Master Cheunt, we learned the six fundamental movements of Tai
Chi Chuan, a martial art known for its slow, deliberate motions. At first,
keeping up with the precise flow of his instructions was a challenge. But as he
broke down each movement step by step, we found our rhythm, repeating the
sequence again and again until it felt almost meditative—a fitting way to end
our time in Hong Kong.
Reaching
the Million Mark in 2024
As
Filipino travelers venture further across the globe—exploring Europe, North
America, Africa, Asia, South America, and even Antarctica—our nearby neighbors,
like Hong Kong, remain a top choice for many. This was confirmed in November
2024, when the number of Filipinos visiting Hong Kong surpassed the one million
mark for the year, surpassing the previous record of over 900,000 in 2018.
While
Hong Kong continues to be known for its shopping, dining, Disneyland, Ocean
Park, and as a gateway to Macau and Shenzhen, it’s exciting to discover that
the city offers so much more—especially for those seeking nature, wellness,
culture, and spiritual experiences.
Though
it took me over a decade to return to Hong Kong, the wait was well worth it.
This visit revealed even more ways to enjoy and explore the city, deepening my
appreciation for all it has to offer.
But
Wait, What About the Food?
No
visit to Hong Kong is complete without indulging in its vibrant culinary
scene—a story in itself. In the next installment of this series, we’ll dive
into the city’s diverse flavors, from hidden gems to some of the finest dining
spots we experienced. Stay tuned if you're looking to add a few must-visit
restaurants to your Hong Kong itinerary.
A shortened version of this first appeared on Spot PH
