Another year went by and I cannot stay away from peaks. So when I heard about Lion Rock in Hong Kong, I could not let it go. It got its name, Lion Rock because some parts of the peak resembles a resting lion when viewed from parts of Kowloon. Having this activity in my itinerary was truly a breathe of fresh air, away from the busy cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong. It was also a good way to burn away all the carbs I’ve eaten throughout my entire trip ;)

Not too far from the city, it was one of the convenient hikes to do, if you only have a few days in Hong Kong. It also offers a great view of the city so pick a clear day to do it. A vast majority of the hike is not shaded,

Length: 6km, return
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours, return
Grade: Easy – medium
Maximum Height: approx 495m above sea level

Take the Kwun Tong line (green) and stop at Diamond Hill station. From here, you can take a cab which will stop at Fat Jong temple. From here, you will need to walk up to Sha Tin Pass, where the hike starts. I’ve read that there are cars will drive you up to Sha Tin Pass, unfortunately at the time we went, the roads were closed for construction works.

The walk up to Sha Tin Pass is already quite steep and if you’re like me, with only an average fitness level, you might find yourself already catching for breath.

The trail is not too difficult. There are well maintained pathways with steps along the way. It is actually quite popular with the locals so you can see many of them hiking up with their pets/ kids. As you ascend, you will be greeted with pretty views of Kowloon on your left

The path is slightly ROCKY towards the end (no pun intended). Once you are near the peak, the hike plateaus out. You can clearly see the rock resembling the “lion” in front of you. You can choose to climb it, preferably with someone who can pull you up.

The view is nothing short of amazing. Kowloon city is really something else from an aerial view. On a less hazy day, you’ll be able to see clearly Hong Kong island across the sea.