Hong Kong: Discovering the Great Outdoors

Hong Kong is actually greener than it is grey and we want to encourage our GCC visitors to rediscover Hong Kong
through its thriving wellness scene, number of hiking trails, outlying islands, nature-based sightseeing locations, shares Puneet Kumar, Director, South Asia & Middle East, Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Shehara Rizly

What are some great outdoors of Hong Kong which will attract the GCC travellers?

Hong Kong, despite its reputation as an urban fast-paced business hub with an internationally acclaimed art scene and incredible dining, offers a diverse range of landscapes and scenic vistas rarely found in such a compact city, ranging from sandy beaches and rocky foreshores to open grasslands and mountain ranges.

Hong Kong is actually greener than it is grey and we want to encourage our GCC visitors to rediscover through its thriving wellness, number of hiking trails, outlying islands, nature-based sightseeing
locations and soft adventure outdoor sports available in summer and winter seasons.

How do you plan to showcase the great outdoors?

Recently, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) won the PATA Gold award 2021 for its ‘360 Hong Kong Moments – Great Outdoors’, 360-degree video campaign. It is our global initiative to remind the world of Hong Kong as a world-class travel destination while also opening the city to the rest of the world. A series of VR videos showcasing Hong Kong’s authentic neighbourhoods, city versus nature, iconic Victoria Harbour, tram ride, culinary delights, and thrilling nights allows our overseas visitors to relive the Hong Kong moments from their previous trips as well as inspire others to add to their bucket list of things to do in Hong Kong.

HKTB has launched five uniquely-themed Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) movies, which offer 30-second glimpses of dreamlike environmental acoustics heard in far-flung regions of the city. The movies are meant to stimulate the senses and increase sensitivity to the harmonious countryside symphonies. The
ASMR videos will also feature 13 seasonal routes, including hiking and sightseeing destinations, island-hopping itineraries, and water sports activities.

Are you considering a programme that will better prepare agents to understand the destination’s outdoors?

HKTB recently organised an experiential virtual tour of Peng Chau Island. The interactive virtual tour drew rave reviews and a lot of curiosity, reinforcing our belief that Hong Kong is Asia’s premier urban wellness and outdoor destination.

To further build awareness and curiosity among our partners, we also shared a fun pack with them which included VR glasses and a video playlist of our ‘360 Hong Kong Moments’ so they could experience a sense of place through sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. Each year, the HKTB publishes a Great Outdoors Hong Kong guide book to provide information and suggestions to visitors and trade.

Which areas and offerings will you concentrate on?

Green countryside that is widely accessible from metropolitan areas makes up roughly 70 per cent of the overall terrain. A tranquil hiking trail is within a short distance from commercial district, and breathtaking harbour views may be experienced from a ferry to an outlying island. Few cities in the world can boast a stunning harbour, a UNESCO-listed Global Geopark, and nature treks so near to bustling cities. Hong Kong has 24 country parks and 22 special areas, which include scenic mountains, forests, grasslands, marshes, reservoirs, cycling paths, serene beaches, rustic villages, and quaint islands, all of which are popular with locals and adventure enthusiasts from around the world for conservation, education, and recreation.

It is a city with hidden gems, waiting to be explored. Visitors will be astonished at how easy it is to explore Hong Kong on their own.

Island-hopping

Hong Kong is home to more than 263 islands, allowing visitors to see something new every time they visit. Peng Chau, Po Toi, and Tung Ping Chau are just a few of the city’s beautiful sandy beaches and picturesque islands.

• Peng Chau island: The island, often known as ‘flat island’, provides a relaxing retreat with easy trails and is only a short ferry trip away from the city’s central business sector. Despite its small size, the island is dotted with photographic opportunities, including the ruins of an old factory, beaches, and temples, as well as street arts that add vibrancy.

Conquer the hiking trails

Hong Kong is a hiking paradise, with hundreds of hiking trails ranging from easy family walks to more challenging routes, as well as a variety of running and mountain biking trails letting you enjoy the thrills
amidst Shing Mun Reservoir, Ng Tung Chai, and Bird’s Pool Nature Trail.

• Shing Mun Reservoir: Nestled between Tai Mo Shan and Kam Shan Country Parks, this popular trekking location offers a rich habitat for a variety of wildlife including butterflies, monkeys, cattle, and even wild boars. To immerse oneself in this exquisite location surrounded by nature, one can walk along the reservoir roads and paths and stop by the paperbark trees.

Sports activities

Escape the air-conditioned building and go coasteering, kayaking, or snorkelling to discover Hong Kong’s adventurous side.

• Coasteering: If you have already trekked the top Hong Kong hiking routes and are looking for something more challenging and distinctive, coasteering is a sport that requires climbing, cliff, and swimming over steep coastal slopes, providing a unique way to experience Hong Kong’s magnificent shoreline. The Sai Kung Geopark coasteering route, which features majestic rolling hills, hexagonal rock columns, gigantic coastal cliffs, and various exciting jumping sites, is one of the most popular spots for this water activity.

Will you introduce new specialty packages that focus on health and wellness as part of the travel itinerary?

The pandemic has affected everyone hard, leading to hunkered-down living, virtual life, and social isolation. Hong Kong provides numerous opportunities for visitors to unwind and relax. The booming wellness industry will
entice visitors to partake in relaxing and rejuvenating experiences:

• Tai Chi: Meditation, body awareness, flexibility, and breathing are all incorporated into this peaceful martial art. The slow, synchronised technique known as ‘meditation in motion’ is claimed to have a variety of mental and physical health benefits, including better balance and stability, reduced blood pressure, pain relief, and relaxation. To get a taste of this unique experience, you can attend a free informal lesson
  in one of Hong Kong’s public parks.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture and cupping are two medical therapies offered by holistic clinics in Hong Kong. The vacuum-like sensation is intended to help with circulation, detoxification, and stress relief.
• Tea meditation and appreciation: Tea ceremonies were once reserved for ceremonial events like weddings, but they have since been ingrained in everyday life as a profound way to press pause and be fully present. With wooden interiors, classic ceramic tea ware, and aromatic Chinese teas, Hong Kong boasts a plethora of modern outlets that host tea ceremonies, enabling guests clear their minds and feel refreshed.
• Forest bathing to connect with nature: Forest Therapy guided walks take participants on a calm journey through nature, where one can cultivate a sense of belonging, and practise self-care. Throughout the walk, the leader will issue a series of invitations to connect with your senses, yourself, and others. You develop a greater awareness of the numerous living and non-living by travelling slowly through the paths.
• Alternative healing therapies: Hong Kong also offers healing treatments like sound baths. A practitioner uses ceramic, crystal, and bronze Tibetan singing bowls, or a big, circular bronze gong, to create calming sound waves and vibrations throughout this meditative session.

What initiatives will be taken to ensure that Hong Kong is on their list of places to visit for health and wellness?

With the ‘Great Outdoors Hong Kong’ campaign, the Hong Kong Tourism Board is stepping up its promotion of responsible green tourism, encouraging locals and visitors to explore Hong Kong’s green countryside.

In collaboration with the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA), the Hong Kong Tourism Board has created the ‘Anti-epidemic Hygiene Measures Certification Scheme’ to provide visitors even more confidence in travelling here safely. Over 2,900 companies in the tourism industry and related sectors will adhere to a standardised hygiene procedure as part of this programme, ensuring that visitors have a safe and healthy stay.