Here are some ideas of how you can tackle Hong Kong in a gutsier manner
Hong Kong is a city abundant with attractions, offering shopping, top-class theme parks, and some of the best cuisines in the region. Hong Kong truly delivers as advertised, giving a little something for everyone and that includes adventure-seeking tourists and adrenaline junkies.
FISH FOR SQUID IN JUNK BAY
Hong Kong has some of the freshest seafood around, but if you want your calamari any fresher, then you just have to catch it yourself. The Sai Kung district is a firm favourite with numerous operators organising these excursions held in the late evenings in Junk Bay. Eager ‘fishermen’ who sign up for the trip get to hop on board an old junk, which will sail out into the bay area. Once anchored, the operator/captain will hand over tiny hooks on thread-thin lines that need to be dropped over the side of the boat. Bright fluorescent lights are then lit to lure the squid to the surface where, with a little patience, they’ll be caught in no time at all. jubilee.com.hk
SPOT SOME PINK DOLPHINS
Despite dwindling numbers, dolphin-watching remains one of the most popular wildlife attractions in Hong Kong. Visitors can opt to buy passage with one of the many cruise boats that are docked at the Chung New Development Pier on Lantau Island and spend half a day spotting these pink-coloured Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the surrounding waters of the Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park. Due to it being dangerously endangered, spotting these cute mammals will be down to mostly luck, but on a good day, there will be more than a few around. hkdolphinwatch.com
WAKEBOARD
The surrounding waters of Hong Kong are ideal for wakeboarding with Repulse Bay and Taipo the popular hotspots. Most wakeboarders however converge unto Sai Kung Harbour owing to its many bays as well as boat operators who have set up shop in an old abandoned fishing village in the area. With facilities and boat rentals abound, Sai Kung is one of the best bets to squeeze in some wakeboarding action during a trip to Hong Kong. Furthermore, Sai Kung also boasts a number of nearby sea caves and fish farms, which can be explored right after riding the waves. wake-board.com.hk
ABSEIL A WATERFALL
Although more famously known as a concrete jungle, Hong Kong is not without its natural attractions. Lantau Island, famous for its Giant Buddha and Heart Sutra, is widely considered as the ideal place to be one with nature for outdoorsy locals and visitors. At the Silver Mine Falls in Mui Wo, adventurer-types and thrill seekers can have a go abseiling a 35-metre waterfall. Organised by experts and adventure-based tour companies, the activity is relatively safe and boasts all the safety requirements and gear needed for the task. adventure-unlimited.net
TAKE A HIKE
Offering some of the best hiking trails in the region, Lantau Island is a haven for trekkers. With a sprawling landscape, gradient hills and climbs as well as spectacular views, Lantau provides the perfect setting for a picturesque nature trek. Best of all, with various trails ranging from four kilometres to 20 kilometres, taking an average of two to five hours to complete, there’s always a trail on Lantau for anyone to take on, regardless of fitness levels. everytrail.com
