Introduction: Hong Kong Beyond the Skyline
When people imagine Hong Kong, they often picture a forest of skyscrapers, neon lights, and frenetic energy. But what surprises many first‑time visitors is that nearly 70% of Hong Kong’s land is countryside, protected as country parks and nature reserves. This makes Hong Kong one of the greenest cities in the world, where you can hike along mountain ridges in the morning and be back in the heart of the city by evening.
Day 4 is about embracing this natural side. You’ll start with a hearty breakfast in Shau Kei Wan, hike the world‑famous Dragon’s Back Trail, enjoy a seafood lunch in Shek O Village, relax on sandy beaches, and then return to Causeway Bay for dinner and shopping. It’s a day that shows how Hong Kong balances its urban intensity with natural beauty.
Breakfast in Shau Kei Wan: A Different Start
Day 4 shall start bright and early, ideally arriving around 8-9am at Shau Kei Wan, a neighborhood on the eastern side of Hong Kong Island. Historically a fishing village, Shau Kei Wan has grown into a lively residential district, but it still retains a local, authentic feel. It’s also a convenient jumping‑off point for the Dragon’s Back hike.
- 8 Recipes (Shau Kei Wan Main Street East): A cozy café serving Western‑style breakfasts — think scrambled eggs, sausages, toast, pancakes, and good coffee. Perfect if you’re craving something familiar and hearty before a hike.
- Indonesian Sate House (Shau Kei Wan Main Street East): A long‑standing local favorite for Southeast Asian flavors. Their satay skewers, nasi goreng (fried rice), and beef rendang are excellent options if you want a spicier, more adventurous start to the day.
👉 Tip: Both are within walking distance of Shau Kei Wan MTR Station, making them convenient before catching the bus to the trailhead.
Dragon’s Back Trail: Hong Kong’s Most Famous Hike
From Shau Kei Wan, take Bus 9 from the terminus to To Tei Wan, the starting point of the Dragon’s Back Trail. The Dragon’s Back is Hong Kong’s most celebrated hike, often listed among the world’s best urban trails. Its name comes from the undulating ridge that resembles the spine of a dragon.
- Distance: ~8-9 km (depending on where you finish)
- Duration: 3-5 hours at a relaxed pace
- Difficulty: Moderate to medium — some uphill sections, but manageable for most fitness levels, especially if you budget enough time for eating, resting, and photo taking.
- Start Point: To Tei Wan, Shek O Road
- End Point: Big Wave Bay
While you can finish at Tai Tam Gap or return to To Tei Wan as the end point, we would advise to finish at the Big Wave Bay. That way, you can get the most out of the scene journey and also explore the near-by Big Wave Bay and Shek O afterwards.
Hiking tips:
- Bring water and sunscreen — the ridge is exposed.
- Weekdays are quieter; weekends can be slightly crowded.
- Wear proper shoes, as the trail can be rocky.
- Bring some food for lunch along the hike — since the full journey from To Tei Wan to Big Wave Bay can take up to 5 hours (in other words, you will arrive at Big Wave Bay around 3pm if you depart from To Tei Wan at 10am), you are recommended to pack some light lunch for this hike.
For a complete guide on the Dragon’s Back (from To Tei Wan to Big Wave Bay), click here.
Late lunch / afternoon tea in Shek O Village
At the end of the trail, you’ll arrive in Big Wave Bay. From Big Wave Bay, we recommend you to walk 15–20 minutes / take a 5-minutes taxi ride to Shek O, a colorful seaside community at the tip of the D’Aguilar Peninsula.
Shek O, which means “rocky bay” in Cantonese, has been a popular getaway for Hongkongers since the early 20th century. Wealthy families once built holiday homes here, and the village still retains a laid‑back, almost Mediterranean feel with its pastel houses, narrow lanes, and relaxed pace.
After the 4 hours hike on the Dragon’s Back, you have definitely earn your well-deserved lunch / afternoon tea. Shek O is dotted with casual restaurants serving fresh seafood. Cococabana, right on the beach, offers Mediterranean‑style dishes with a view of the sea. Happy Garden is a local favorite for Cantonese seafood classics like clams in black bean sauce and fried squid.
- What to order: Grilled prawns, fried rice with seafood, stir‑fried vegetables, or a simple plate of noodles.
- Beach culture: On weekends, Shek O fills with families, groups of friends, and expats enjoying barbecues, beach volleyball, and lazy afternoons. It’s one of the few places in Hong Kong where the city’s intensity melts away into pure leisure.
Shek O Beach: Surfing & Relaxation
After the exertion of Dragon’s Back, the best reward is to descend into the cool embrace of Hong Kong’s southern coastline. This part of the island has long been a weekend escape for locals, offering a slower pace of life, salty sea breezes, and a chance to swap skyscrapers for sand. The beaches here are not just places to swim — they’re social hubs where families picnic, friends gather for barbecues, and surfers chase the waves. The Shek O Beach is wide, sandy, and family‑friendly. It has lifeguards, changing rooms, and plenty of food stalls nearby. Perfect if you want to swim, sunbathe, or just unwind after the hike.
👉 Tip: If you’re into surfing, the best waves are from September to April. In summer, the sea is calmer, making it better for swimming. Click here to learn more about the slow pace of life in Shek O village.
Dinner in Causeway Bay: Hotpot & Modern Cantonese
As the sun sets, it’s time to leave the beaches behind and return to the city. Take Bus 9 from Shek O back to Shau Kei Wan, then hop on the MTR to Causeway Bay. The contrast is striking: within an hour, you’ll go from barefoot sand to neon‑lit streets. Causeway Bay is one of Hong Kong’s busiest districts, a place where shopping malls, department stores, and restaurants jostle for space in a dazzling display of urban energy. It’s also a dining hotspot, offering everything from humble noodle shops to Michelin‑starred restaurants.
- Hotpot culture: Known locally as da bin lou, hotpot is a communal meal where diners cook meats, seafood, and vegetables in simmering broth. Popular spots in Causeway Bay include Lau Haa Hot Pot Restaurant, a retro‑themed eatery with over 20 soup bases, and Wulao, a stylish Taiwanese chain known for its spicy broths.
- Modern Cantonese: If you prefer something more refined, restaurants like Ming Court (Causeway Bay) or Yat Tung Heen offer creative takes on Cantonese classics in elegant settings.
👉 Tip: Hotpot is best enjoyed with friends or family — it’s as much about conversation as it is about food.
Post-dinner shopping in Causeway Bay
No visit to Causeway Bay is complete without diving into its shopping scene. Often compared to Tokyo’s Shibuya or New York’s Times Square, Causeway Bay is one of the most vibrant retail districts in Asia. By night, the streets glow with neon signs, and the sidewalks are packed with shoppers, students, and tourists. It’s a place where global luxury brands sit side by side with quirky local boutiques, and where you can find everything from high fashion to bargain accessories.
- Times Square: A massive mall with international brands.
- Fashion Walk: Trendy boutiques and local designers.
- Sogo Department Store: A Japanese‑style department store with everything from cosmetics to electronics.
- Street shopping: Jardine’s Crescent is a lively street market selling affordable clothes and accessories.
👉 Cultural note: Causeway Bay is especially popular with Hong Kong’s youth, making it a great place to people‑watch and soak up the city’s energy.
Wrap‑Up: Why Nature Balances the City’s Intensity
Day 4 shows a side of Hong Kong that many visitors overlook. You’ve hiked along a ridge with sweeping ocean views, eaten fresh seafood in a beach village, relaxed on sandy shores, and then plunged back into the neon buzz of Causeway Bay. This balance — between nature and city, calm and chaos — is what makes Hong Kong so unique. It’s a reminder that even in one of the world’s busiest metropolises, tranquility is never far away. On Day 5, we will take you away from the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula to explore the New Territories, a lesser known side of Hong Kong to travelers. It’s a big day tomorrow!