Lion Rock Country Park
Lion Rock Country Park
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Brad
Hong Kong, China181,114 contributions
Apr 2021
This is one of Hong Kong's first designated country parks (1977) and part of a rural mountainous area that separates the Kowloon Peninsula from the New Territories. The country park covers approximately 550 hectares of hilly woodlands sandwiched in between the Ma On Shan Country Park to the east and Kam Shan Country Park to the west.
This country park is where you find the famous Lion Rock, a 495 metre granite boulder covered hilltop that looks like a Lion's head when seen from a distance. Lion Rock is Hong Kong's most famous geographical landmark on the Kowloon side and a very popular destination for day hikers for its remarkable views of the city down below. The park is home to another interesting but less well known landmark called Amah Rock and more outstanding city views are found at places like the Beacon Hill Viewing Point around 45 hike west of Lion Rock.
In addition to the popular hike to Lion Rock. The park is where you find the MacLehose Trail Section 5 which spans the width of the park from Tate's Cairn in the east to Tai Po Road in the west. There is an informal War Relic trail (17 different war time ruins along the Gin Drinker's Line that follows the Section #5 trail. The Wilson Trail Section #5 also cuts through the park before winding in and out of the northern boundary.
There are a couple of popular short trails that are quite easy and family friendly as well. These include Eagle's Nest Trail that covers the area between the western end of the park and Beacon Hill and Hung Mui Kuk Nature Trail in the north that includes a stop at Amah Rock.
Lion Rock Country Park has nice woodlands and the trails are in pretty good condition. Wildlife spotting mainly includes watching out for the groups of macaques that roam free in the area. These are mostly in the western half of the park. You won't see many around Lion Rock but as you approach the western end past Beacon Hill, they start to appear. By the time you are at Tai Po Road and the boundary with Kam Shan Country Park, they can be everywhere. Wild pigs can be spotted in the area at times, key your eye out for lizards, skinks and geckos and larger birds, particular our Common Black Kites are found in abundance.
In the end, Lion Rock Country Park is good little country park, nicely located for the vast majority of Hongkongers. You can access the park fairly quickly from most locations around the city and expect to be rewarded with some incredible viewpoints of the city from its higher elevation hilltops.
This country park is where you find the famous Lion Rock, a 495 metre granite boulder covered hilltop that looks like a Lion's head when seen from a distance. Lion Rock is Hong Kong's most famous geographical landmark on the Kowloon side and a very popular destination for day hikers for its remarkable views of the city down below. The park is home to another interesting but less well known landmark called Amah Rock and more outstanding city views are found at places like the Beacon Hill Viewing Point around 45 hike west of Lion Rock.
In addition to the popular hike to Lion Rock. The park is where you find the MacLehose Trail Section 5 which spans the width of the park from Tate's Cairn in the east to Tai Po Road in the west. There is an informal War Relic trail (17 different war time ruins along the Gin Drinker's Line that follows the Section #5 trail. The Wilson Trail Section #5 also cuts through the park before winding in and out of the northern boundary.
There are a couple of popular short trails that are quite easy and family friendly as well. These include Eagle's Nest Trail that covers the area between the western end of the park and Beacon Hill and Hung Mui Kuk Nature Trail in the north that includes a stop at Amah Rock.
Lion Rock Country Park has nice woodlands and the trails are in pretty good condition. Wildlife spotting mainly includes watching out for the groups of macaques that roam free in the area. These are mostly in the western half of the park. You won't see many around Lion Rock but as you approach the western end past Beacon Hill, they start to appear. By the time you are at Tai Po Road and the boundary with Kam Shan Country Park, they can be everywhere. Wild pigs can be spotted in the area at times, key your eye out for lizards, skinks and geckos and larger birds, particular our Common Black Kites are found in abundance.
In the end, Lion Rock Country Park is good little country park, nicely located for the vast majority of Hongkongers. You can access the park fairly quickly from most locations around the city and expect to be rewarded with some incredible viewpoints of the city from its higher elevation hilltops.
Written 3 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe
Bangkok, Thailand4,965 contributions
Sept 2022 • Friends
Lion Rock mountain might not be as famous as Victoria’s Peak, but it is the spirit of Hong Kongese and the most distinctive mountain along the Kowloon mountain range. With a rocky outcrop that resembles the side profile of a resting lion, Lion Rock is one of the most accessible urban hikes in Hong Kong. It is popular for both day and night hike, and an easier trek than the famed Kowloon Peak with Suicide Cliff. Here is how to hike it
Difficulty: 3/5 with options to skip the ascent to the lion rock itself and continue on
Time taken: 3-4 hours depending on where you end the trek
Pros: fairly close to public transport and easy to reach, great view of Kowloon Peninsula and Victoria Harbour
We saw people of all ages on the trail to Lion Rock, even some with canes and a few people carrying their dogs as well. It’s a pretty easy hike, the trail is very well marked and there are several areas to sit and rest for a while. We would suggest wearing tennis/hiking shoes as the trail isn’t all paved, over half of it is dirt/gravel.
Once you make it to the top of Lion Rock you’ll be rewarded with the best view of Hong Kong. You’ll feel like you are on top of the world up here
The Lion Rock Peak hike in is very popular with people from Hong Kong and can get very busy on the weekends. This hike is best done on a weekday if you want to have the more of the trail to yourself.
Also, make sure to check the weather in Hong Kong and tentatively plan a day to do the hike. The weather in Hong Kong can be unpredictable so be flexible with your Hong Kong plans.
Bring enough WATER there aren’t any vendors selling water along the hike. We each brought 1.5 liters of water and it was finished before we finished our hike. If you typically drink a lot of water when hiking then bring more, it’s better to have extra.
Watch out for MONKEYS. There are monkeys along the trail in the trees if you have never had an encounter with a monkey just realize there is no such thing as a nice monkey. Do NOT feed the monkey or try to touch the monkey in any way.
Difficulty: 3/5 with options to skip the ascent to the lion rock itself and continue on
Time taken: 3-4 hours depending on where you end the trek
Pros: fairly close to public transport and easy to reach, great view of Kowloon Peninsula and Victoria Harbour
We saw people of all ages on the trail to Lion Rock, even some with canes and a few people carrying their dogs as well. It’s a pretty easy hike, the trail is very well marked and there are several areas to sit and rest for a while. We would suggest wearing tennis/hiking shoes as the trail isn’t all paved, over half of it is dirt/gravel.
Once you make it to the top of Lion Rock you’ll be rewarded with the best view of Hong Kong. You’ll feel like you are on top of the world up here
The Lion Rock Peak hike in is very popular with people from Hong Kong and can get very busy on the weekends. This hike is best done on a weekday if you want to have the more of the trail to yourself.
Also, make sure to check the weather in Hong Kong and tentatively plan a day to do the hike. The weather in Hong Kong can be unpredictable so be flexible with your Hong Kong plans.
Bring enough WATER there aren’t any vendors selling water along the hike. We each brought 1.5 liters of water and it was finished before we finished our hike. If you typically drink a lot of water when hiking then bring more, it’s better to have extra.
Watch out for MONKEYS. There are monkeys along the trail in the trees if you have never had an encounter with a monkey just realize there is no such thing as a nice monkey. Do NOT feed the monkey or try to touch the monkey in any way.
Written 26 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom12,122 contributions
Mar 2021
This is a very accessible park, close to Wong Tai Sin MTR. A taxi from the station to the gates of the park is under $30HKD. It is most famous for the Lion Rock hike, Hong Kong’s most scenic and popular hike. The huge granite peak stands at 495m tall and from the top, you have absolutely stunning views across Hong Kong, Kowloon on one side and Shatin, and the New Territories on the other. It is also known for two other dramatic features, Amah Rock and Beacon Hill.
There are lots of opportunities for hiking here. The Wilson Trail Stage 6, Shatin’s Pass and MacLehose Trail Stages 5 & 6 all cross through the park. They are well sign-posted and easy to follow, although there are lots of challenging stairs and steep stretches.
It is also a great place to see wild macaque monkeys. I had wrongly assumed that they were native. They are actually a feral population that got out of control. In the early 1900s, some were released to control the spread of a local poisonous plant, strychnos which the monkeys loved to eat. Fun as it is to see the monkeys, be careful not to go too close. We saw one aggressively snatching food from one hiker so it’s best to keep all food in your back pack and don't bring it out if there are monkeys around.
Importantly, make sure to go prepared. Water, snacks, hat and sunscreen are absolute essentials. There is nowhere to refill water bottles so take enough with you. You’ll also need good shoes with grip. The paths can be steep and rocky, with loose gravelly, slippery surfaces.
GETTING THERE - You can enter the park at several points. Start off at Wong Tai Sin MTR. From there, many people get a taxi to Jong Fat temple and walk up Shatin’s Pass Rd but I prefer to get a taxi to the Lion Rock Park on Lion Park Rd. You can walk from the station to either point but a taxi will cost less than $30HKD.
Entry to the country park is free.
There are lots of opportunities for hiking here. The Wilson Trail Stage 6, Shatin’s Pass and MacLehose Trail Stages 5 & 6 all cross through the park. They are well sign-posted and easy to follow, although there are lots of challenging stairs and steep stretches.
It is also a great place to see wild macaque monkeys. I had wrongly assumed that they were native. They are actually a feral population that got out of control. In the early 1900s, some were released to control the spread of a local poisonous plant, strychnos which the monkeys loved to eat. Fun as it is to see the monkeys, be careful not to go too close. We saw one aggressively snatching food from one hiker so it’s best to keep all food in your back pack and don't bring it out if there are monkeys around.
Importantly, make sure to go prepared. Water, snacks, hat and sunscreen are absolute essentials. There is nowhere to refill water bottles so take enough with you. You’ll also need good shoes with grip. The paths can be steep and rocky, with loose gravelly, slippery surfaces.
GETTING THERE - You can enter the park at several points. Start off at Wong Tai Sin MTR. From there, many people get a taxi to Jong Fat temple and walk up Shatin’s Pass Rd but I prefer to get a taxi to the Lion Rock Park on Lion Park Rd. You can walk from the station to either point but a taxi will cost less than $30HKD.
Entry to the country park is free.
Written 3 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zimminaroundtheworld
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan1,982 contributions
Jan 2020
Lion Rock is well worth a visit when visiting Hong Kong. From the downtown area, I took a few different trains to get here but they were only a stop or two, so pretty quick. I began the hike and it was very doable and scenic with great views of the Hong Kong skyline. Getting to the top took about an hour, there are a few stops along the trail to take a breather. I took a different trail down, seems like there were trails all over the place, so make sure to pay attention to the trail markings. I loved the trees and vegetation along the route, they were fascinating. Lion Rock is a great hike and well worth spending a morning here while visiting Hong Kong.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LilyChak
Auckland Central, New Zealand2,297 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Its not an easy walk but its amazing to see lots of people today, children and elders.
We started from MTR Lok Fu station and walking up to the lion head, toward Shartin Pass. We finished the walk in three hours.
Worth it.
We started from MTR Lok Fu station and walking up to the lion head, toward Shartin Pass. We finished the walk in three hours.
Worth it.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Benjamin W
Grand Est, France16 contributions
Feb 2024 • Friends
The view from Lion Rock is impressive. The whole town of HK is under your feet. The way to get there is not easy because sometimes steep. Good hiking shoes should be provided. The trail also passes through areas of forest where care should be taken not to get too close to wild monkeys.
Automatically translated
Written 9 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China23,238 contributions
May 2022
Lion Rock is Hong Kong's landmark for decades. While the country park is a popular destination for locals, many of the nature trails are not easy to navigate. Google Map is not reliable in the area. We tried to follow the online instruction along Eagle's Nest Nature Trail and ended up in a prohibited government facility. Go somewhere else for better scenery and safer trip.
Written 29 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N K
Rishon Lezion, Israel2,321 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
Hiking to the top of Lion Rock is tough and definitely not for everyone but if you can make it, you'd be rewarded by the BEST 360 degree view of Hong Kong and Kowloon.
First challenge: find the entrance to the path. Compared to Dragon's Back, it's not that well known and doesn't appear on gmaps (at the time of this review, gmaps shows an impassable path through a government property if you just try to plot a route to Lion Rock). Take bus 211 towards Tsui Chuk Garden from Wong Tai Sin station (green Kwun Tong line) and alight at Tin Wang Court station (10 min/5 stops). Then walk 5-10 min to 51 Chuk Yuen Rd and eureka! you'll see a sign pointing to Lion Rock and a long stairwell.
The climb: the path is straightforward and it's mostly a steep climb. Walking in a reasonable pace, you'll reach the first mark (observation platform) in about 40 min. This is only half a way and I highly recommend continuing upwards to the Lion Rock itself (another 30 min more or less). There are two rocks at the top with amazing views so you'll not be sorry for the tough hike.
Descent: return to the observation platform and you'll see a sign towards Amah Rock. It's an easy hike of 20-25 min just to see the rock itself as a view from there is less spectacular. From there, you can go down the stairs to Tai Wai MRT station (about 30 min walk).
In total, the hike may take about 3 hours and make sure to do it during the daylight in a clear day, wear sturdy shoes, have enough water and some snacks, and enjoy the nature and the views!
First challenge: find the entrance to the path. Compared to Dragon's Back, it's not that well known and doesn't appear on gmaps (at the time of this review, gmaps shows an impassable path through a government property if you just try to plot a route to Lion Rock). Take bus 211 towards Tsui Chuk Garden from Wong Tai Sin station (green Kwun Tong line) and alight at Tin Wang Court station (10 min/5 stops). Then walk 5-10 min to 51 Chuk Yuen Rd and eureka! you'll see a sign pointing to Lion Rock and a long stairwell.
The climb: the path is straightforward and it's mostly a steep climb. Walking in a reasonable pace, you'll reach the first mark (observation platform) in about 40 min. This is only half a way and I highly recommend continuing upwards to the Lion Rock itself (another 30 min more or less). There are two rocks at the top with amazing views so you'll not be sorry for the tough hike.
Descent: return to the observation platform and you'll see a sign towards Amah Rock. It's an easy hike of 20-25 min just to see the rock itself as a view from there is less spectacular. From there, you can go down the stairs to Tai Wai MRT station (about 30 min walk).
In total, the hike may take about 3 hours and make sure to do it during the daylight in a clear day, wear sturdy shoes, have enough water and some snacks, and enjoy the nature and the views!
Written 17 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akeira
Hyannis, MA8 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
The place is full of monkeys. They steal your stuffs. Views are good. But really, this place is hyped!
Written 8 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kasejason
Chicago, IL355 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
The hike to Lion Rock was the best hike that we completed during a week long trip to Hong Kong. We enjoyed it even more than the hike along the Dragon's Back. The hike offered plenty of exercise, great views, and best of all, monkeys in great store. If I were to return to Hong Kong, this is the one hike that I would prioritize - especially on a clear day.
We began our hike with a quick trip to the Wong Tai Sin Temple. From there, we caught a cab to the start of the trail in Lion Rock Park. It was a steep hour long trek to reach the summit. The hike was exclusively uphill and really provided a good workout. Once we reached the top, there were places where we could climb Lion Rock itself for unobstructed views of Kowloon. Hong Kong Island could even be seen in the distance through the haze. If you didn't want to climb the rock, you could still obtain a nice view from a fenced area along the trail.
After a nice break gazing out over the city, we headed back down the trail. In the later afternoon, we were treated to a parade of macaques. These monkeys were wandering along the trail and in the forest just off of the trail. They didn't bother us at all, although one did spend some time hissing at us. We gave it plenty of room and it quickly moved off into the forest. There were over 50 monkeys in total that we saw in our short time, and I would guess that there were many more still to emerge from the forest.
When we reached the trail head, we opted to hike back down the road to the MTR. As the way was all downhill, it only took about 15 minutes to get back to the train. There were even public signs along the way to help us navigate the twisty roads. All in all, our hike to the rock and back took about 3 hours.
The biggest drawback we encountered on the hike was the sheer number of other people. There were places where our progress was slowed because groups of people were moving slowly along portions of the trail. In these sections, there weren't many opportunities to pass, so we had to just remain patient until we could eventually pass.
No water was available along the trail, but there is a shopping mall next to the MTR station where you can stock up on snacks prior to the trip. If you are looking for more action, there are several trails that branch off from the trail to Lion Rock, and you could spend a considerable amount of time hiking to nearby destinations.
If you find yourself with a lot of energy on a clear day in Hong Kong, consider a trip to Lion Rock. You won't be disappointed by the fantastic views and the opportunity to experience nature along the way.
We began our hike with a quick trip to the Wong Tai Sin Temple. From there, we caught a cab to the start of the trail in Lion Rock Park. It was a steep hour long trek to reach the summit. The hike was exclusively uphill and really provided a good workout. Once we reached the top, there were places where we could climb Lion Rock itself for unobstructed views of Kowloon. Hong Kong Island could even be seen in the distance through the haze. If you didn't want to climb the rock, you could still obtain a nice view from a fenced area along the trail.
After a nice break gazing out over the city, we headed back down the trail. In the later afternoon, we were treated to a parade of macaques. These monkeys were wandering along the trail and in the forest just off of the trail. They didn't bother us at all, although one did spend some time hissing at us. We gave it plenty of room and it quickly moved off into the forest. There were over 50 monkeys in total that we saw in our short time, and I would guess that there were many more still to emerge from the forest.
When we reached the trail head, we opted to hike back down the road to the MTR. As the way was all downhill, it only took about 15 minutes to get back to the train. There were even public signs along the way to help us navigate the twisty roads. All in all, our hike to the rock and back took about 3 hours.
The biggest drawback we encountered on the hike was the sheer number of other people. There were places where our progress was slowed because groups of people were moving slowly along portions of the trail. In these sections, there weren't many opportunities to pass, so we had to just remain patient until we could eventually pass.
No water was available along the trail, but there is a shopping mall next to the MTR station where you can stock up on snacks prior to the trip. If you are looking for more action, there are several trails that branch off from the trail to Lion Rock, and you could spend a considerable amount of time hiking to nearby destinations.
If you find yourself with a lot of energy on a clear day in Hong Kong, consider a trip to Lion Rock. You won't be disappointed by the fantastic views and the opportunity to experience nature along the way.
Written 14 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When’s best to go for the best views? During the day or at night?
Written 17 November 2020
Are the monkeys aggressive? And is there a lot of other people around?
Written 6 January 2019
Monkees may be aggressive, we didn't come across any monkees though. There were not a lot of people on the hike route and plenty of space to pass or sit and rest.
Written 15 January 2019
Can we start to hike at 5 or 6 am? What is the opening hours of this attraction? Thank you
Written 12 May 2018
Not a one hundred percent sure on this. As such they hike start point didn't have any entry gate, so I believe you can actually start by then. Also, few earlier posts mentioned photographers camping on top - so means, there essentially isn't any deadline to start or end.
Written 13 May 2018
Can we start to hike at 5 or 6 am? What is the opening hours of this attraction? Thank you
Written 12 May 2018
I was a Hong Kong resident during my grade school and high school years. That was before the Lion Rock tunnel was built. I hiked a trail up the Lion Rock from Kowloon Tong and then down the trail to Sha Tin with friends a few times. And I enjoyed every trip. I still remember the aroma of the deep fried shrimp cakes I ate in Sha Tin. It took us approximately 2.5 hours for each trip. Is the Kowloon Tong hiking trail still used by hikers? Is it well maintained and safe to use? If you know the hiking trail starting from Kowloon Tong please give me the directions.
ST
Written 7 February 2017
I am planning a trip to Hong Kong and would love to take the Lion Rock trails up from Wong Tai Sin and then down the trail to Shatin. Are the trials busy on Sunday? Are the trials isolated on weekdays? Any security/safety concerns?
Regards.
Arthur
Written 6 February 2017
I think there will be people around, except rainy days. In the case of rain, beware the trial may be slippery... or best, only hike when the weather is not a big concern. Lion rock is not a beginner route, so some preparations in advance are better (i.e., food, water etc.).
Written 6 February 2017
Not really. Parking in HK is patchy at best an expensive. It will be hard to find a spot in a residential area. This is the Kowloon side I am talking about. I doubt it would be much better in the New Territories side. I would use public transport, mist locals do and less effort than to bring a car and then worry about it.
Written 12 December 2016
How would I get there from wan chai Hkg convention center?
Written 23 December 2015
You may take a metro, MTR, from Wanchai Station to Lok Fu Station. Then take a taxi or a minibus. But I would say taking a taxi to the starting point of the trail would probably be easier for you.
Written 24 December 2015
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