Hong Kongers love to indulge in hiking over the weekend, and given the city's beautiful mountains, hills, and scenic sea views, there are numerous trails to explore. Tung O Ancient Trail, situated on the northern shore of Lantau Island, is one such must-visit location.

With remnants of some of the earliest human activities in Hong Kong, the Tung O trail is amongst a few historical trails in the city. Once a vital route for villagers commuting between Tung Chung and Tai O fishing village, the trail spans approximately 14 km and passes significant cultural and archaeological landmarks, including the Tung Chung Fort (東涌炮台) and Yeung Hau Temple (楊侯廟).

The trail begins at Tung Chung, currently a residential district with an outlet mall. As you follow the paved cement footpath, you'll pass abandoned stone village houses, vestiges of the humble lives of farmers and fishermen. These brick and tiled-roof houses occasionally reveal traces of their past, such as fading posters or good luck calligraphy. The trail is also adorned with mangrove trees, a typical shrub found along Hong Kong's saline coastline.

With a bit of luck during low tide, you might spot the unique Mudskipper, an amphibious fish that burrows into the mud and crawls on land. However, fishing has significantly reduced in recent years due to water pollution from the construction of the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge (港珠澳大橋).

Before embarking on the trail, note the considerable distance from Tung Chung MTR Station. For those feeling energetic, a 40-minute walk from Exit A will get you there. Alternatively, for a less strenuous journey, we recommend taking bus E31 from Yu Tung Court (裕東苑) to Yat Tung Estate (逸東邨).