Overview

Tai Tung Shan

Lantau North Country Park was designated in 1978. Occupying a total area of 22 square kilometres, it encompasses Sunset Peak, Yi Tung Shan, Lin Fa Shan, northern slopes of Lantau Peak, Nei Lak Shan and the region north of Ngong Ping. To the north of the country park you find the Tung Chung new town and North Lantau Highway, both modern developments emerging in recent years. On the two flanks, Lin Fa Shan and Nei Lak Shan stand guard in the east and west. Lin Fa Shan is a peak rising 766 metres above the lowlands. Just one kilometre to its north a row of three crests form a lofty platform. Known as the Three Towers, these uplands offer spectacular vistas of the nearby country. Gazing east, you enjoy a panorama of Mui Wo. Gazing north, there is a broad view of Tai Ho Wan, North Lantau Highway and distant islets that look like drifting sail boats.

Tung Chung Valley is a choice destination. Striking a sharp contrast with the ultra modern Chek Lap Kok Airport and Tung Chung new town, the serene valley is a beckoning haven. To visit this green sanctuary, get on the country trail that begins in Ngong Ping. This enjoyable walk passes through woodlands and streams where a host of dragonflies, freshwater fish and amphibians breed and feed.

Major Attractions

Wong Lung Hang Country Trail

Wong Lung Hang Country Park in the eastern part of Lantau North Country Park is a notoriously challenging hike. Rated the most difficult country trail in Hong Kong by hikers, this 2.3 km route takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to complete. Beginning at Yi Tung Shan, it trails down to Wong Lung Hang Road in Tung Chung. Don't let its short distance fool you, for the first half of the trail is all treacherous steps and the dense forest canopy almost completely blocks out sunlight. The going is tough and securing a steady footing on the moss-covered ground is a major challenge. Demanding it may be, this country trail offers an unbeatable panoramic view of Chek Lap Kok Airport.

Tung Chung Fort

Tung Chung Fort is a Lantau battery sharing equal fame with Fan Lau Fort. Sitting near Sheung Ling Pei Village in Tung Chung Valley, it is a 70 x 80m position with 6 ancient guns and restored granite boundary walls. The fort became a listed monument in 1979, and full restoration work was carried out in 1988 to reinforce fort walls and repair the watch tower. Bringing back memories of the past, Tung Chung Fort is well worth visiting. It is also a vantage point to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery of North Lantau.

Facilities

When it comes to size and facilities, Lantau North Country Park does not match up to Lantau South Country Park. Most visitors come here to hike. The newest hiking route is the Tei Tong Tsai Country Trail in the north. This path leads from Tung Chung Road to Tei Tong Tsai. There are several country park management centres in the park. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff are on hand to give assistance to visitors in need.

Ecological Highlights

Chinese Alangium

Hong Kong Newt

Most streamside areas within Lantau North Country Park are thick woodlands with diverse flora. Common species are Hong Kong Gordonia (Gordonia axillaris), Rhododendrons and Azaleas, Orchids, Schima (Schima superba), Chinese Alangium (Alangium chinense), Wax Tree (Rhus succedanea), Uvaria (Uvaria macrophylla) and Hong Kong Asarum (Asarum hongkongense).

North Lantau is also home to Hong Kong's many iconic rare animals. Prime examples are the Chinese White Dolphins (Sousa chinensis) which are active in the western waters. "Dolphins in the Waves" is a famous sight of the park. These adorable animals always draw a big crowd on weekends and holidays. Other wildlife found locally include common mammals like the Chinese Ferret Badger (Melogale moschata), Red Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjac) and Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa); reptiles like Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) and Blue-tailed Skink (Eumeces quadrilineatus); as well as the Hong Kong Newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis), a native amphibian first recorded in Hong Kong and often found resting in hill streams and rock pools. If you happen to visit in the cooler months, you might see newts of both sexes congregating by the stream, or even see mating males fighting over females.

Scenic Beauty

The 6.5 km Fa Mun Traditional Path starts at Dong Shan Fa Mun. It trails through Po Lam Monastery, Lo Han Monastery, Shek Mun Kap, Shek Lau Po and Wong Ka Wai to end at the Ma Wan Chung Ferry Pier. Scenery along the way is sylvan and refreshing, with forests and hill streams to soothe your body and soul. There is also an aerial view of the Hong Kong International Airport and a chance to visit famous ancient temples.

The Tei Tong Tsai Country Trail is a 2 km route that takes only 45 minutes to complete. In the past, the only way to get from Tung Chung to Ngong Ping was to make your way to Tei Tong Tsai from Shek Mun Kap via Shek Pik Au, and then continue on to Ngong Ping and Po Lin Monastery. With Tung Chung Road now open, hikers can reach Ngong Ping from this vehicular road. The Tei Tong Tsai Country Trail is a level easy walk. About 200 metres from the starting point, you find East Lantau Stream, a rushing cascade plunging down from the northeastern face of Lantau Peak. The rapid torrent is exhilarating, with splashes and sprays to wash away air pollutants and worldly worries. Further up, about 300 metres ahead, a protruding ridgeline marks the landscape. This high point gives spectacular vistas of North Lantau's rugged terrain. Looking east, you see the majestic Sunset Peak. Looking northeast, Shek Sze Shan and Wo Liu Tun surge above the lowlands. Looking north, the Tung Chung alluvial plain lies peacefully on the coast. The plain is marked by a sprawling network of tributaries and rural hamlets. At this point, the trail bends around the slope to cross a rock stream via a level bridge. At the other side of the crossing the country trail comes to an end. To visit Tei Tong Tsai, turn left at the end of the trail. The nearby woodlands and ravines harbour many monasteries and religious recluses. Visitors should remember not to make noise while enjoying the poetic scenery.

Public Transport Information

A ferry service to Lantau Island is available at Pier 6 in Central (both normal and fast ferries available). At Mui Wo Pier, the New Lantao Bus (NLB) terminus has bus routes to all parts of Lantau. You can also take a ferry at Tuen Mun Pier to Tai O via Tung Chung and Sha Lo Wan. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, a ferry service runs between Tsimshatsui Ferry Pier and Mui Wo.

With Tsing Ma Bridge now in service, visitors can take the MTR Tung Chung Line or Airport Express to Tung Chung in Lantau. NLB services to various parts of the island are available there.

1. Wong Lung Hang Country Trail
Take NLB no. 1 or 3 at Mui Wo Pier and get off at Nam Shan. Get on Stage 2 of Lantau Trail to walk to the entrance of the country trail. For your return journey, walk to Tung Chung Road for a bus to Mui Wo Pier or Tung Chung town centre.

2. Tei Tong Tsai Country Trail
Take NLB no. 3 or 3M at Mui Wo Pier and get off at Pak Kung Au. Walk north along Tung Chung Road for 800 metres to the entrance of the country trail. For your return journey, walk from Tei Tong Tsai to Shek Mun Kap via Shek Pik Au and San Keng. NLB no. 34 departs there for Tung Chung town centre. Alternatively, walk to Tung Chung Road for bus no. 3 or 3M to Mui Wo Pier, or head for Ngong Ping from Midway Pavilion in Tei Tong Tsai for bus no. 2 for Mui Wo Pier. NLB no. 23 also travels to Tung Chung town centre from Ngong Ping.