To Begin the Year with a Blessed Hike

The Lunar New Year is arriving soon. Many people will visit various temples to wish for a prosperous year during this time. This month TrailWatch has scouted three festive New Year hiking route for you to visit with your friends and family.

Route 1: Fung Ying Seen Koon to Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree

Start the walk by visiting one of the most famous Taoist temples in Hong Kong – Fung Ying Seen Koon and make your first wish of the year. After the visit, walk through the parking lots to the entrance of Wu Tip Shan (Butterfly Mountain) Path. This is a concrete path with many pavilions and exercise facilities along the way, making it popular to the residents in the neighbourhood. After more than an hour’s hike, you will arrive at Kei Lak Tsai viewing point for a panoramic view of the Northern District. The route to Lam Tsuen is relatively long with many stairs, good level of physical strength is required.

Fung Ying Seen Koon

Many pavilions along Wu Tip Shan Path

Kei Lak Tsai Viewing Point

Ngau Kwu Leng Hiking Trail

Follow the signages and dirt road to Lam Tsuen, the trail will again turn into a concrete path at Ngau Kwu Leng Hiking Trail. Do not miss the artificial fish ladder at Lam Tsuen River before wishing for good luck at Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree.

Fung Ying Seen Koon to Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree: https://www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10123924

Route: Fung Ying Seen Koon > Wu Tip Shan Path > Tai To Yan Path > Ngau Kwu Leng Hiking Trail > Lam Tsuen River > Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree
Length: Approximately 9 km
Duration: Approximately 4.5 hours
Difficulty: The route is relatively long with many stairs, good level of physical strength is required
Supply: Food stores and restaurants at Tai Po Lam Tsuen

Route 2: Visit Wong Tai Sin Temple via Tsz Sha Ancient Trail

The hike starts from Sha Tin Shui Chuen O Estate with treeshades and the sound of river as company. The ancient trail is built with boulders and goes all the way to the Lions Pavilion at Shatin Pass Road, Wong Tai Sin Temple is another 40 minutes walk from the Pavilion. The temple is popular during Chinese New Year and visitors should try out the fortune stick drawing.

Be aware of the slippery ancient boulder trail on humid days

Lions Pavilion at Shatin Pass Road

The Main Altar – for worshipping and presenting offerings to Master Wong Tai Sin

Believers worshipping in front of Three Saints Hall

The Chinese Zodiac Statues

Tsz Sha Ancient Trail: https://www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10077363

Route: Sha Tin Shui Chuen O Estate ＞ Tsz Sha Ancient Trail ＞ Shatin Pass Road ＞ Lions Pavilion
Distance: Approximately 2.5 km
Duration: Approximately 2 hours (Wong Tai Sin Temple is another 40 minutes walk from the Pavilion)
Difficulty: Flat and gentle path with the shade of trees
Supply: No supply along the way until the store near Lions Pavilion at the endpoint

Route 3: Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Hikers can begin the journey from “Sha Tin Country Trails” nears Pai Tau Village Playground and follow the signages to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery. With more than half a century history, the Monastery is built along the mountain and its pagoda can be spotted from the bottom of the mountain. There are many gold buddhas along the stairways that lead up to the Monastery.

Gold buddhas along the stairways

Kwun Yum (the Goddess of Mercy) Statues

A nine-storey pagoda

Remember to keep plastic carrier bags and food in your bag to avoid attracting wild monkeys in the area. The main hall of the Monastery has over 12,000 gold buddhas which is one of the most popular religious attractions in Hong Kong. The second day of Chinese Lunar New Year is the birthday of “Che Kung”, hikers can also visit the Sha Tin Che Kung Temple and wish for a good year.

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery: https://www.trailwatch.hk/app/?t=activities&rid=10124081

Route: Sha Tin Pai Tau Village Playground ＞ Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery ＞ Pai Tau Street ＞ Pai Tau Village Playground
Length: Approximately 1.5 km
Duration: Approximately 0.5 hour
Difficulty: Short route with concrete staircases