The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has collaborated with National Geographic, to promote its 10th annual “Great Outdoors” campaign, featuring 13 of the city’s most stunning landscapes. Discover some of Hong Kong’s most picturesque nature trails, traditional villages, and beautiful landscapes; through the contrasting lenses of the “One Place, Two Perspectives” narrative.
“One Place, Two Perspectives” will be presented by an incredibly talented team, including French photographer Matthieu Paley, one of Nat Geo’s contributing photographers. Paley has lived in Hong Kong for nine years and is intimately acquainted with the city’s natural landscapes. Paley will be adventuring on Hong Kong’s greatest four explorations where land meets water: Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, Shing Mun Reservoir, Hong Kong Wetland Park, and Dragon’s Back.
The campaign also features another National Geographic award-winning photographer and Hongkonger, Tugo Cheng, who will explore the indigenous culture of Sam A Village, and the exotic plants and wildlife that thrive in Plover Cove Country Park. The pristine natural area shelters a centuries-old Hakka village, offering visitors the rare opportunity to experience both nature and culture in one easy hike. Through his photographs and insights, Cheng shares what makes Plover Cove Country Park a top spot for travelers who want to explore the wild side of Hong Kong.
Dramatic geological formations hug the
coastline at Hong Kong UNESCO Global Park.
This section here, is part of the scenic hiking path
known as Maclehose Trail Stage II. Credits to: Tugo Cheng
“When the weather is good you can see people
paragliding up from the Dragon’s Back. They
don’t realize how easy it is to be in the city and a
half-hour later be walking on a ridge of nature.
That’s Hong Kong.” – Matthieu Paley Credits to: Joe Chen
The Lai Chi Wo woodland features increasingly
rare examples of Hong Kong’s native lowelevation,
broad-leaved forests. Credits to: Tugo Cheng
Trail runner Wyan Chow Pui-yan, the first local female to win the Vibram Hong Kong 100 and stood 17th
in the Ultra Trail World Tour, will lead the Nat Geo team into Tai Mo Shan Country Park —the city’s tallest
mountain, at 900 meters above sea level. Chow and her godmother, who runs a popular kiosk in the park,
will share their insights on hiking and trail-running along Tai Mo Shan, as well as their love for the
magnificent sunset views the highest peak in Hong Kong offers.
These tales of contrasts will celebrate the hard-to-believe fact that about three-quarters of Hong Kong’s
landmass is actually countryside, and that the vast network of hiking trails is easily accessible from any
corner of the city. The National Geographic x Great Outdoors HK campaign will shine the spotlight on the
green treasures of Hong Kong, beyond the city’s familiar bustling skyscrapers and developments. For
visitors old and new, it will truly be a breath of fresh air.
