Introducing the Dragon’s Back, a slice of wilderness right in Hong Kong’s urban landscape. This hike, named one of the best urban hikes in the world by Time Magazine, invites you to experience the city’s natural charm away from its iconic skyline.
But what’s in a name? The Dragon’s Back gets its title from the serpentine ridge that resembles the mythical creature’s spine.
As you traverse this trail, the undulating path winds through breathtaking sceneries one after the next, offering a glimpse of a side of Hong Kong you might not have known existed.
Just a short ride from the city center, the Dragon’s Back reveals coastal cliffs, thick forests, and epic views of the South China Sea!
When I did the hike, it was winter and quite a cloudy day so the pictures have a bit of a dramatic mood to them, don’t be deterred though because either way, the pictures can never do it justice!
Plus, it’s an experience that contrasts sharply with the crowded streets of Hong Kong, offering a refreshing break without venturing too far at all!
How to Get to the Dragon's Back Trailhead
From Shau Kei Wan
- Just hop on the Island Line to Shau Kei Wan MTR station.
- From Exit A3, catch bus number 9 to Shek O. You’ll find it at the Shau Kei Wan Bus Terminus.
- Keep an eye out for the “To Tei Wan, Dragon’s Back” stop; it’s 11 stops ahead. Can’t miss it, as the bus even has “Dragon’s Back” on the display!
- Once you’re off at To Tei Wan, just follow the sign, and you’re on your way to the Dragon’s Back.
You can also grab a red minibus from Shau Kei Wan Station’s Exit A2 and ask the driver to stop at To Tei Wan. This is what I got and though it’s not as intuitive there are plenty of people going down at the same stop as you most likely.
From Central (on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays)
- Find the express bus X9 near Star Ferry or Central Exchange Square.
- To Tei Wan is the 5th stop out of just 7, so you’ll be there in no time!
Where to Stay in Hong Kong
Hong Kong can be a bit pricey and it was a bit difficult for me to find the right balance between comfort and affordability, but I was satisfied with my choice in the end. Here are some of my recommendations for Hong Kong:
Best Hotels in Hong Kong
- iClub Sheung Wan Hotel – this is where I personally stayed and found it to be within my budget, it’s modern, chic and quiet. The location is perfect as it was near plenty of restaurants and just a few meters away from the train station and the bus stop. Man Mo Temple is especially close. The bathroom was superb and the bed amazing after a day of exploration!
- Bishop Lei International House – boasts stunning city skyline views and offers an outdoor pool, fitness center, and free WiFi throughout the property. You can also enjoy the well-equipped gym, poolside sun loungers, and a quiet reading room.
- Four Points by Sheraton – offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms and complimentary bikes for your use. Each room is well-equipped with a flat-screen TV featuring satellite channels and a safety deposit box. Bed linen and towels are provided for added comfort.
Best Hostels in Hong Kong
- Ashoka Hostel – enjoy clean common areas and dorm lockers. Their licensed facility ensures safety, comfort, and affordability. Additionally, Ashoka Hostel offers discounted tickets for popular attractions like Ocean Park and Disneyland.
- Homy Inn North Point – comes with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioning. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower, complimentary toiletries, and hairdryers. The hostel provides a welcoming 24-hour front desk service.
- Check Inn HK – offers complimentary water, local calls, Wi-Fi, and comfortable beds. Check Inn HK also offers various free services such as irons, computers, hair dryers, and adapters. To enhance the guest experience, the staff regularly organizes dim sum gatherings and hiking activities.
What to Know About the Dragon's Back Hike
Difficulty
I would say that the hike is fairly easy. It’s quite accessible and I’ve seen people of all ages from kids to the old folks just cruising through the trail. Really, it’s more of a walk while surrounded by gorgeous scenery than a hike. It’s a very relaxing trail that offers so much for so little!
The trail has some uphill sections, particularly as you ascend to Shek O Peak, which is the highest point on the hike at 284 m (931 ft).
The path up to the peak involves some switchbacks and can be a bit steep in parts, but it’s generally considered manageable.
Once you reach the ridge that gives the Dragon’s Back its name, the trail starts to go up and down, resembling the spine of a dragon, but it’s nothing too strenuous.
Distance
The Dragon’s Back hike offers a couple of options, so the length can vary. The shortest route is around 3 km, retracing your steps back after reaching Shek O Peak.
If you choose to make a loop back to the bus stop, it’s about 5 km.
The longer option, continuing the hike to end at Big Wave Beach Beach, is about 8 km in total. (Which is what I recommend doing. You can even continue on to Shek O Beach if you still have the energy, I know I did!)
If you choose to continue on to Big Wave Beach, the hike will eventually lead you downhill into the bay area where you can take a refreshing swim after all that hiking!
The descent is fairly gentle, but very long and without much views. Making it more of a stroll on a flat surface followed by a descent into Big Wave Beach.
Duration
The time it takes to complete the Dragon’s Back hike can vary based on the route but here’s a general breakdown:
- For the shortest route, retracing your steps after reaching Shek O Peak (3 km / 1.8 mi), it can take around 1 to 1.5 hours.
- If you make a loop back to the bus stop (5 km / 3 mi), it could take about 2 hours to complete.
- For the longer option, continuing to Big Wave Bay Beach (8 km / 5 mi), it may take about 2.5 hours to complete, including stops.
The Dragon's Back Hike
- Distance: 3 – 8 km (3 – 5 mi), depending on the route.
- Time: 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on route
- Difficulty: Easy
- Summit: 284 meters
- Best Time to Go: Weekdays, early morning or evening for sunset
- Crowds: Moderate, a bit crowded especially on weekends during the peak seasons
- Pets: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash
- GPS & Map: Dragon’s Back to Big Wave Beach
The Dragon's Back Hiking Experience
I planned on doing the Dragon’s Back trail today out in Shek O Country Park so going through the network of stations, I got on the bus that took me all the way to the trail head.
The hike was beautiful right from the get-go. Plants I have never seen before accompanied me on the way up which was quite gentle.
I overtook a lot of people, excited to see why this trail was known as one of the best urban hikes in Asia according to Time Magazine.
It was soon made apparent to me as I got high enough to catch some views of the sea.
There were amazing rock formations all around and these two neighboring islands at the coast below.
I actually went the wrong way as the summit was in the otherside but it was well worth it, the views were phenomenal.
Continuing on, the hike was still pretty chill. It was such a unique hike because I was able to appreciate both sides of the mountain, one overlooking the sea and the other towards Hong Kong.
Seeing those skyscrapers in the middle of all this greenery was quite surreal.
I was able to reach the summit without much issue and continued downwards which actually took longer as I was going the opposite side.
Big Wave Beach
The descent was longer I would say, though it was gentle and I eventually made it back down and started to make my way to Big Wave Beach.
I passed by a quaint seaside town which had a pretty laidback vibe. The smell of the ocean was quite refreshing and I was happy to take off my shoes and walk on the sand. Something I wasn’t able to do at Tai O Fishing Village over at Lantau Island.
I made my way to the end of the beach where there were some ancient pteroglyphs.
These strange rock carvings were really unique and it was pretty cool something like this was just hanging around the beach.
Shek O Beach
From there, it was another long walk towards Shek O beach. I was having doubts if I should skip this or not as I still wanted to catch the sunset up in Braemar Hill but I still went with it because I wanted to take a dip to refresh myself.
It seems like the weather and water was too cool for everyone as they were just hanging around by the sand. Without the sun, it did seem like it.
It really made me miss the tropical beaches of Sanya.
I still went ahead and the freezing water felt amazing and totally revitalized me! I changed back and went to take the bus back to city excited to try the next Cantonese meal of the day.
Plan Your Trip to Hong Kong | Best Travel Resources
Book Your Accommodations
- Booking.com – the world’s leading online booking platform for accomodations around the world, they have an extensive amount of available listings with zero booking fees and best price guarantees.
- Hostelworld – a backpacker’s best friend, Hostelworld has the largest collection of hostels and guesthouses for affordable prices.
Don’t Forget Insurance
- SafetyWing – from Nomad Insurance, an insurance by nomads for nomads. They understand our lifestyle well and have really comprehensive and flexible plans that cater to any traveler.
Find Cheap Flights
- Kiwi.com – my go-to for booking and finding the cheapest flights and it’s helped me save tons of money. They do virtual interlining which is connecting flights from airlines that do not codeshare, so you can find routes that you wouldn’t be able to find normally.
Join Tours & Activities
- GetYourGuide – is one of the best places to find unique tours and activities. I found that it’s an excellent way to meet fellow travelers and create fond memories. They are not only limited to tours as they also offer niche services such as skip-the-line tickets or private transfers.
Catch a Ride
- Rentalcars.com – nothing beats the freedom of the road, Rentalcars.com is the world’s largest online car rental service. They operate across 160 countries so they’re the perfect partner to work with if you find yourself wanting a ride.
