Roland Lefevre
As one of Asia's favourite playgrounds Hong Kong is the ideal base from which to explore the surrounding region. From Lantau to Macau here are popular day trip options inside and nearby Hong Kong.
Tipped to be one of the most popular day trip areas in Hong Kong Lantau is the country's biggest neighbouring island. Littered with breathtaking mountain ranges and stunning beaches some of the top attractions in Lantau include Ngong Ping Village, the Wisdom Path and the Tian Tan Buddha while the western shores of the island offers visitors a look at the Tanka communities as well as pink dolphin watching tours.
Easily accessible via the ferry Cheung Chau is less than an hour away from Central Hong Kong. Transporting visitors to a tranquil world away from metropolitan Hong Kong the area is a cultural hub lined with ancient temples and attractions such as the Cheung Po Tsai Cave and the Mini Great Wall. The Kwun Yam Wan Beach is another draw for visitors while the seafood in pier restaurants is also worth sampling.
Often compared to Las Vegas and Monaco the gambling hub of Macau is perhaps the most frequented day trip option for Hong Kong visitors and locals alike. The venue is not just for casino fanatics but a cultural epicentre littered with Portuguese colonial remnants such as St. Paul's Church and the A-Ma Temple while Guia Hill and the Taipa Food Street are other points of interest in Macau.
Known as the "back garden of Hong Kong" Sai Kung is a verdant getaway option for day trippers exploring Hong Kong. Located in the north-eastern shores of the New Territories the area is home to four stunning beaches, hiking attractions as well as fishermen's villages.
Dubbed the doorway to China Shenzhen is a lesser known day trip alternative available to islanders as well as tourists. Known as a shopper's hub Shenzhen is the ideal place to enjoy a spa day and indulge in retail therapy. Other highlights include the Dafen Oil Painting Village and the Xiangmihu Holiday Village while the Dongmen Pedestrian Street is a shopper's paradise.
As one of the last remaining farming communities in Hong Kong Ma Po Po Farm is a nature lover's idea for a fantastic day trip in Hong Kong. Top attractions in the area include organic farms as well as several fruits and vegetable gardens which produce juicy mangoes in the summer, bananas in the fall, lychees and Chinese green vegetables during spring and winter respectively.
Available during the summer months a junk boat excursion is a must-have experience for first time visitors. Heading out to Hong Kong's outlying coves junk boat participants hop aboard sea faring vessels of every shape, size and condition imaginable to enjoy a day of water sports and sunbathing in secluded areas in beaches and coves in Deep Water Bay and Aberdeen Harbour among other areas.
Those with an interest in bee keeping on the other hand a trip to the Wing Wo Bee Farm offers visitors an in-depth look at Chinese bee species. Located in the verdant mountains of Sha Tin the farm offers guided tours and honey sampling sessions at its 30 year old bee farm.
Offering tourists a glimpse of community life in Hong Kong prior to colonization the Cantonese village tour exploring the Ping Shan Heritage Trail is another well-known tour option in the island nation. A mere kilometre in length the crammed village homes occupied since the 12th century harks back to simpler times in Hong Kong's history. Visitors based at the Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong can book a place on the heritage trail and other tourist attractions Hong Kong has to offer through the hotel.
Seafood fanatics can head down to Shui Hau to experience clamming first hand. Although digging for clams is not for everyone adventurous souls in search of a unique activity need only take a rake and a bucket to start digging for clams.
