Recently I spent 6-weeks in Hong Kong as an intern for the Epoch Times. I came here as a student looking to develop my journalism as well as experience my first trip out of the United States and get an introduction to Asian culture. While most of my work was focused in the bustling city, my rural background had me yearning for peace and quiet, especially when homesickness kept me restless.
In whatever free time I had, I had a mission to see as much of this incredible place as I could. I made a list of sights, hikes, and places that were all away from the city and off the beaten path. I was driven by the need for some fresh air and an escape from the sticky streets, so my explorations turned into some of my favorite parts of the trip.
Near Tsuen Wan, I first ventured to Po Tai Yuen, a steep but short mountain climb from the Discovery Park walkway. The stair climb was tough for my first trek, but as I rose up away from Tsuen Wan, the noise of the city gave way to chirping birds and thick green wilderness. The jogging trail at the top ran parallel to a catch fall for spring water. The views looking Tsuen Wan were sprawling. If you keep walking down the jogging trail, make sure to take the trail that crosses the moat and up into the forest toward the peak. The solace of the trail is littered with Buddhist shrines and one of the most peaceful hikes I’ve done.
