Lantau North Country Park & Extension

Lantau North Country Park & Extension

Lantau North Country Park is one of two rural parks on Lantau Island, Hong Kong and is located on the north side of the island. The 22-square-kilometre park was designated in 1978. Lantau North Country Park was designated in 1978. Occupying a total area of 22 square kilometres, it encompasses Sunset Peak, Yi Tung Shan, Lin Fa Shan, northern slopes of Lantau Peak, Nei Lak Shan and the region north of Ngong Ping. To the north of the country park you find the Tung Chung new town and North Lantau Highway, both modern developments emerging in recent years. On the two flanks, Lin Fa Shan and Nei Lak Shan stand guard in the east and west. Lin Fa Shan is a peak rising 766 metres above the lowlands. Just one kilometre to its north a row of three crests form a lofty platform. Known as the Three Towers, these uplands offer spectacular vistas of the nearby country. Gazing east, you enjoy a panorama of Mui Wo. Gazing north, there is a broad view of Tai Ho Wan, North Lantau Highway and distant islets that look like drifting sail boats.

Tung Chung Valley is a choice destination. Striking a sharp contrast with the ultra modern Chek Lap Kok Airport and Tung Chung new town, the serene valley is a beckoning haven. To visit this green sanctuary, get on the country trail that begins in Ngong Ping. This enjoyable walk passes through woodlands and streams where a host of dragonflies, freshwater fish and amphibians breed and feed.

Lantau North (Extension) Country Park adds another 2,360 hectares to Hong Kong’s country park area. It is mainly mountainous and upland valleys covered with natural woodland and unspoiled stream courses, which provide a highly scenic backdrop to the urban development at Tung Chung. The upland areas also offer magnificent views of the airport to the north, rural and wilderness mountainous areas to the south. The well established areas of secondary woodlands, shrubland, grassland and fresh water habitats are of high conservation and landscape value.

Major Attractions

Wong Lung Hang Country Trail in the eastern part of Lantau North Country Park is a notoriously challenging hike. Rated the most difficult country trail in Hong Kong by hikers, this 2.3 km route takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to complete. Beginning at Yi Tung Shan, it trails down to Wong Lung Hang Road in Tung Chung. Don’t let its short distance fool you, for the first half of the trail is all treacherous steps and the dense forest canopy almost completely blocks out sunlight. The going is tough and securing a steady footing on the moss-covered ground is a major challenge. Demanding it may be, this country trail offers an unbeatable panoramic view of Chek Lap Kok Airport.

Tung Chung Fort is a Lantau battery sharing equal fame with Fan Lau Fort. Sitting near Sheung Ling Pei Village in Tung Chung Valley, it is a 70 x 80m position with 6 ancient guns and restored granite boundary walls. The fort became a listed monument in 1979, and full restoration work was carried out in 1988 to reinforce fort walls and repair the watch tower. Bringing back memories of the past, Tung Chung Fort is well worth visiting. It is also a vantage point to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery of North Lantau.