Day trips from central Hong Kong

Lantau Island

The largest island, twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Mountains, beaches, the Big Buddha, Hong Kong Disneyland, the airport.

The Big Buddha route: MTR Tung Chung Line to Tung Chung, Ngong Ping 360 cable car (25 min) to the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery. Add the Wisdom Path bamboo-script trail. Half-day to a full day.

Tai O fishing village: bus 11 from Tung Chung. Stilt houses on a creek; pink dolphin tours; salted-fish shops. 2-hour visit.

Lantau Peak hike: see the hiking page. Sunrise from the summit is the experience.

Hong Kong Disneyland: dedicated MTR Disneyland Resort station. A full day; book ahead online.

Lamma Island

Car-free island, 30-minute ferry from Central. Two ferry routes: - **Yung Shue Wan** (Banyan Bay) — the larger village; restaurants, Western-influenced cafes, a small beach. - **Sok Kwu Wan** — the seafood-restaurant village.

The 4 km Family Walk between the two villages is the classic visit. Seafood lunch at Sok Kwu Wan, ferry back from Yung Shue Wan.

Highlights: - **Hung Shing Yeh Beach** — the closest swimmable beach. - **Mount Stenhouse** for hikers. - **The Wind Power Station turbine** — the symbolic centre of Lamma.

Cheung Chau

Car-free dumbbell-shaped island. 30-minute ferry from Central. Once a fishing-and-pirate stronghold; now a weekend escape with seafood, beaches and the famous Bun Festival.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival (April or May; falls on the 5th to 9th day of the 4th lunar month). Three steel-frame towers covered in plastic 'lucky buns'; participants climb at midnight to grab the high buns for luck. The largest annual public spectacle on Hong Kong's outlying islands.

The Mini Great Wall — short coastal walking path with views.

Tung Wan Beach — long sandy beach.

Peng Chau

Less-touristed than Lamma or Cheung Chau. 30-minute ferry from Central. Quiet old-fishing-village atmosphere. Walk around the island in 90 minutes; small temples and seafood restaurants. Best for a quieter half-day.

Po Toi Island

Smaller, further south. Limited ferry service (weekends only). Beach and seafood restaurants. For a really quiet escape.

Sai Kung peninsula

Not technically an island day trip but a similar feel. Bus 92 from Diamond Hill MTR, or 9 from Sai Kung pier to Pak Tam Chung. Walk the MacLehose Trail Section 1 or 2. Boat trip to outer beaches (Tap Mun, Sharp Island, Long Ke Wan). Seafood at Sai Kung village.

Macau

Strictly a different jurisdiction (separate immigration), but accessible as a day trip: - **Ferry from Sheung Wan / Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal** — 60 minutes; HK$170–HK$200 each way. - **HZMB shuttle bus** — 35-minute road journey across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. - **Helicopter** — 15-minute flight from Sky Shuttle Macau; HK$4,300+.

You'll need a Macau-permitted visa or a visa-free entitlement. See the Macau visa page.

Mainland day trips

• Shenzhen by HSR (14 min from West Kowloon) or by metro to Lo Wu / Lok Ma Chau border. A Chinese visa or visa-free entitlement is required separately from your Hong Kong permission.

Practical

• Ferry tickets: Central Pier 4 (Lamma Yung Shue Wan), Pier 4 (Lamma Sok Kwu Wan), Pier 5 (Cheung Chau and Peng Chau, ordinary and fast ferries), Macau Ferry Terminal at Sheung Wan (Macau).
• Octopus card works on all ferries.
• Sundays and public holidays: ferries are crowded; book popular weekend trips early.
• Cycling on Lantau — bike rental at Mui Wo and Tung Chung; cycle paths along the south coast.

Recommended day-trip combinations

• First-time visitor, half day: Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui + Peak Tram up.
• Half day, food-focused: Ferry to Lamma (Sok Kwu Wan), seafood lunch, walk to Yung Shue Wan, ferry back.
• Full day, sights: Tung Chung MTR + Big Buddha cable car + Po Lin lunch + Tai O village.
• Full day, beach: Ferry to Cheung Chau, beach, walk, seafood dinner.
• Full day, hiking: Trailhead at Cape Collinson + Dragon's Back + Big Wave Bay swim.