2022.05.09 MON 【Hiking • 016】
Sham Chung • Grassland . Shui Long Wo • Star Lookout
深涌 • 大草原 . 水浪窩•觀星台

This trail offers a healing escape, taking you from historic Hakka structures to a hidden pastoral paradise. Starting from the 【Pak Sha O • Youth Hostel (白沙澳 • 青年旅舍)】, you’ll trek along a serene ancient path that leads to the sweeping 【Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原)】, often dubbed 『Hong Kong’s Little New Zealand』. With its vast emerald fields and tranquil ponds, it’s the perfect spot to recharge at the 【Sham Chung Manor (深涌農莊)】 while soaking in the poetic, countryside vibes far from the city hustle. The route then hugs the coastline, offering a breezy stroll past 【Yung Shue O Village (榕樹澳村)】 where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Kei Ling Ha Hoi mangroves and the rugged ridges of Ma On Shan. The journey concludes at Kei Ling Ha, where you’ll find the hidden 【Shui Long Wo • Star Lookout (水浪窩 • 觀星台)】. This unique, castle-like stone structure adds a touch of historical charm, providing a perfect finale to this scenic blend of nature and heritage.

Route:

Pak Sha O • Youth Hostel (白沙澳 • 青年旅舍) → Sham Chung Manor (深涌農莊) → Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原) → Yung Shue O Village (榕樹澳村) → Shui Long Wo • Star Lookout (水浪窩 • 觀星台)

Duration
5.1 hrs
Distance
13.8 km
Highest Point
129 m
Difficulty
1 m
Explore the Route
daydreamer.hk. .

Route Overview

Pak Sha O • Youth Hostel (白沙澳 • 青年旅舍) → Sham Chung Manor (深涌農莊) → Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原) → Yung Shue O Village (榕樹澳村) → Shui Long Wo • Star Lookout (水浪窩 • 觀星台)

【Start】 Setting off from the 【Pak Sha O • Youth Hostel (白沙澳 • 青年旅舍)】, you’ll head along a trail that features some gentle ups and downs. The scenery here is stunning, surrounded by lush woodlands and crisp, fresh air. After about an hour’s hike, you’ll reach the 【Sham Chung Manor (深涌農莊)】. It’s a perfect pit stop to grab some light refreshments and recharge your batteries.

【Mid-Section】 Continuing on, you’ll find the 【Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原)】 right next to the manor. This spot is a famous local ecological hotspot, home to various butterfly species and rare dragonflies. The meadow feels boundless; during autumn and winter, the sight of silvergrass swaying in the breeze is truly spectacular. It’s also an ideal picnic spot where you can lay out a mat and soak in the peace and quiet of nature.

【Finish】 Leaving the grassland behind, follow the path which becomes relatively flat. You’ll enjoy views of coastal mangroves and the beautiful Sham Chung Wan before arriving at 【Yung Shue O Village (榕樹澳村)】. From there, keep going until you reach the 【Shui Long Wo • Star Lookout (水浪窩 • 觀星台)】. This is a prime location for stargazing, offering a breathtaking view of the night sky framed by the distant mountain peaks.

Duration
5.1 hrs
Distance
13.8 km
Highest Point
129 m
Scenery
2.5 ⭐️
Difficulty
1 ⭐️
Exposure Index
3 ⭐️
. .

Here are the reference statistics for this journey:

Total Ascent
217 m
Total Descent
213 m
Moving Speed
4.3 km/h
Average Speed
2.7 km/h
Moving Time
3.2 hrs
Total Journey Time
5.1 hrs

Transport Guide

START

🚩

Sai Kung • Pier (西貢 • 碼頭)

  1. Take 《Green Minibus • No. 7》  and get off at 【Hoi Ha Road】, 【Pak Sha O • Youth Hostel (白沙澳 • 青年旅舍)】.
西貢碼頭 • 小巴站
👉🏻

END

🏁

Shui Long Wo • Bus Stop (水浪窩 • 巴士站)

  1. Take 《Bus • 99》to 【Heng On (恆安)】.
  2. Take 《Bus • 99R》to 【University Station (大學站)】.
  3. Take 《Bus • 299X》to 【Sha Tin Town Centre (市中心)】.
  4. Take 《Bus • 289R》to 【Sha Tin Town Centre (市中心)】.
水浪窩 • 巴士站

Route Breakdown
🚩 Start 《Pak Sha O • Youth Hostel (白沙澳 • 青年旅舍) → Sham Chung (深涌)》

1. 📍 Start: Hoi Ha Road 《Pak Sha O • Youth Hostel》

路牌 • 深涌 / 荔枝莊 / 高塘 / 海下路牌 • 白沙澳

Signpost • Sham Chung / Lai Chi Chong / Ko Tong / Hoi Ha (路牌 • 深涌 / 荔枝莊 / 高塘 / 海下)

After getting off at 【Hoi Ha Road 《Pak Sha O • Youth Hostel》 (海下路《白沙澳 • 青年旅舍》)】, start your hike by following the sign towards 【Sham Chung (深涌)】.

2. 📍 Sham Chung Path 《I》

白沙澳 • 田園

Pak Sha O • Pastoral Fields (白沙澳 • 田園)

After passing the youth hostel and walking for about 400 meters, you will arrive at a lush, green pastoral area.

3. 📍 Ho’s Old Mansion

何氏舊屋

Ho’s Old Mansion (何氏舊屋)

Walk through the fields to reach a historic settlement known as 【Ho’s Old Mansion (何氏舊屋)】.

4. 📍 Sham Chung Path 《II》

木槿花

Hibiscus (木槿花)

Along this path, you may spot the 【Hibiscus (木槿花)】. This deciduous shrub grows 3-4 meters tall with star-shaped hairs on its twigs. Its bell-shaped flowers come in white, pink, or purple and typically bloom from July to October.

5. 📍 Sham Chung Path 《III》

🚫 路牌 • 禁止單車 🚴‍♀️ 🚘

🚫 Signpost • No Cycling (路牌 • 禁止單車) 🚴‍♀️ 🚘

After passing 【Ho’s Old Mansion (何氏舊屋)】, continue along the shaded woodland path.

6. 📍 Sham Chung Path 《IV》

路牌 • 深涌 / 白沙澳 / 荔枝莊

Signpost • Sham Chung / Pak Sha O / Lai Chi Chong (路牌 • 深涌 / 白沙澳 / 荔枝莊)

After walking 1.6 km from the start, the signpost indicates that 【Sham Chung (深涌)】 is another 2.8 km away.

7. 📍 Sham Chung Path 《V》

路牌 • 深涌

Signpost • Sham Chung (路牌 • 深涌)

At the 2.3 km mark, you will reach a junction where you can alternatively head towards 【Lai Chi Chong (荔枝莊)】.

8. 📍 Sham Chung Path 《VI》

林蔭小徑

Shaded Woodland Path (林蔭小徑)

Most of the section from 【Pak Sha O】 to 【Sham Chung】 consists of these comfortable, shaded paths, perfect for a leisure stroll.

9. 📍 Sham Chung School

深涌小學《1》深涌小學《2》

Sham Chung School (深涌小學)

After approximately 4.5 km, you will arrive at the 【Sham Chung School (深涌小學)】.
深涌 • 村屋《1》深涌 • 村屋《6》深涌 • 村屋《5》深涌 • 村屋《4》深涌 • 村屋《3》深涌 • 村屋《2》

Sham Chung • Village Houses (深涌 • 村屋)

Next to the school, there are two distinct and characteristic village houses.

10. 📍 Sham Chung Path 《VII》

深涌徑《7.1》

View of the Grassland

Beyond the school, a vibrant stretch of green appears—this is the 【Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原)】.
路牌 • 榕樹澳 / 白沙澳

Signpost • Yung Shue O / Pak Sha O (路牌 • 榕樹澳 / 白沙澳)

The signpost here shows the remaining distance and time required to reach our next destination, 【Yung Shue O (榕樹澳)】.

11. 📍 Sham Chung Manor • Entrance

深涌農莊 • 入口《1》

Sham Chung Manor • Entrance (深涌農莊 • 入口) 《I》

越過路牌後，可以從這處直接往前【深涌農莊】。

12. 📍 Sham Chung Path 《VIII》

深涌徑《8.1》

View of Shek Nga Tau (石芽頭)

Opposite the manor sits a 188-meter hill called 【Shek Nga Tau (石芽頭)】.
深涌徑《8.2》深涌徑《8.3》

Alternate Path to the Manor

Apart from the main entrance, you can also take the small riverside path to reach the side entrance of the manor.

13. 📍 Sham Chung Path 《IX》

深涌 • 大草原《1》

Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原) 《I》

The combination of the lush greenery and the crystal-clear pond will make you want to slow down and enjoy the view.
深涌大草原 • 全景

Sham Chung • Grassland 《Panorama》

The combination of the lush greenery and the crystal-clear pond will make you want to slow down and enjoy the view.

14. 📍 Sham Chung Manor

深涌農莊 • 入口《2》深涌農莊 • 入口《3》深涌農莊 • 入口《4》

Sham Chung Manor (深涌農莊)

The path ends at the other entrance of 【Sham Chung Manor (深涌農莊)】.

‼️ Note:

  • The manor may have restricted access or adjusted business hours; please check local notices upon arrival

15. 📍 Sham Chung • Grassland

深涌 • 大草原深涌 • 大草原《2》

Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原) 《II》

After a total of 5.3 km from the starting point, you finally reach the highlight of the trip: the vast, emerald-green 【Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原)】.

Route Breakdown
🏁 Finish 《Sham Chung (深涌) → Yung Shue O (榕樹澳) → Shui Long Wo (水浪窩)》

16. 📍 Sham Chung Wan

深涌村 • 告示板

Sham Chung Village • Notice Board (深涌村 • 告示板)

After leaving 【Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原)】, continue towards 【Yung Shue O (榕樹澳)】 for about 600 meters until you reach a small cove called 【Sham Chung Wan (深涌灣)】.
深涌灣《1》

Sham Chung Wan (深涌灣)

Visitors can sit by the shore at 【Sham Chung Wan (深涌灣)】, feeling the sea breeze and embracing a 『slow living』 lifestyle under the clear blue sky.
深涌灣 • 全景

Sham Chung Wan • Panorama (深涌灣 • 全景)

The open view with turquoise waters and blue skies is truly refreshing for the soul.

17. 📍 Sham Chung • Pier

深涌 • 碼頭

Sham Chung • Pier (深涌 • 碼頭)

Alternatively, you can take a ferry directly to 【Sham Chung • Pier (深涌 • 碼頭)】 and walk to the 【Sham Chung • Grassland (深涌 • 大草原)】.
路牌 • 榕樹澳 / 深涌

Signpost • Yung Shue O / Sham Chung (路牌 • 榕樹澳 / 深涌)

After passing the bay, your next destination is 【Yung Shue O (榕樹澳)】.
深涌碼頭 • 地圖資訊板《1》深涌碼頭 • 地圖資訊板《2》

Sham Chung Pier • Information Board (深涌碼頭 • 地圖資訊板)

Here you’ll find the 【Sham Chung • Pier 《Information Map》 (深涌 • 碼頭《導覽地圖》)】 by the AFCD. Grid Reference: KK 202 841.

18. 📍 Three Fathoms Cove or Kei Ling Ha Hoi 《I》

企嶺下海《1》

Three Fathoms Cove 《View of Ma On Shan / Ngau Ngak Shan》 ( 《遠眺 • 馬鞍山 / 牛押山》)

Across the water is the 【Sai Sha Road (西沙路)】 area. The two prominent peaks are 【Ma On Shan (馬鞍山)】(702m) and 【Ngau Ngak Shan (牛押山)】 (677m).

19. 📍 Three Fathoms Cove or Kei Ling Ha Hoi 《II》

企嶺下海《2》

Peaks along Sai Sha Road (西沙路的群峰) 《I》

Across the water is the 【Sai Sha Road (西沙路)】 area. The two prominent peaks are 【Ma On Shan (馬鞍山)】(702m) and 【Ngau Ngak Shan (牛押山)】 (677m).

20. 📍 企嶺下海 《3》

企嶺下海《3》企嶺下海《4》

Peaks along Sai Sha Road (西沙路的群峰) 《II》

Across the water is the 【Sai Sha Road (西沙路)】 area. The two prominent peaks are 【Ma On Shan (馬鞍山)】(702m) and 【Ngau Ngak Shan (牛押山)】 (677m).

21. 📍 Loi Kee • Store

來記 • 士多《1》來記 • 士多《6》來記 • 士多《5》來記 • 士多《4》來記 • 士多《3》來記 • 士多《2》

Loi Kee • Store (來記 • 士多)

Located between 【Sham Chung (深涌)】 and 【Yung Shue O (榕樹澳)】, this is a classic midway pit stop. If you’re tired, grab a Coke or a bowl of 『Ham and Egg Instant Noodles』.

22. 📍 Yung Shue O Village

榕樹澳村《1》榕樹澳村《2》

Yung Shue O Village (榕樹澳村)

You have now covered about 8.6 km from the 【Pak Sha O Youth Hostel (白沙澳 • 青年旅舍)】 starting point.

23. 📍 Yung Shue O Village • Pavilion

榕樹澳 • 告示牌

Yung Shue O • Notice Board (榕樹澳 • 告示牌)

Please be a responsible hiker and respect village rules.
榕樹澳 • 涼亭《1》榕樹澳 • 涼亭《2》

Yung Shue O Village • Pavilion (榕樹澳村 • 涼亭)

A pavilion with traditional Chinese architectural features—a great spot for a break.

24. 📍 Yung Shue O Path 《I》

嶂山郊遊徑 • 地圖資訊板

Cheung Sheung • Country Trail 《Information Board》 (嶂上 • 郊遊徑 《地圖資訊板》)

Features the 【Cheung Sheung • Country Trail 《Information Board》 (嶂上 • 郊遊徑 《地圖資訊板》)】. Grid Reference: KK 213 823.
共享單車🚲 • Locobike《1》共享單車🚲 • Locobike《2》

Locobike 🚲

A local Hong Kong bike-sharing brand promoting green urban mobility. Users can unlock bikes via an app for a low-cost, low-carbon short-distance travel option. https://loco.hk/bike

25. 📍 Yung Shue O Path 《II》

榕樹澳 • 徑《2》

Yung Shue O Path 《II》

Leave the village and continue along the paved road toward the final destination: 【Shui Long Wo (水浪窩)】.

26. 📍 Yung Shue O Path 《III》

榕樹澳 • 徑《3》

View of the Peaks

Walking along the coast of Kei Ling Ha Hoi, you’ll see 【Ma On Shan (馬鞍山)】, 【Ngau Ngak Shan (牛押山)】, 【Wan Kuk Shan (彎曲山)】, and the 【Ngong Ping • Plateau (昂平 • 平原)】.

27. 📍 Yung Shue O Path 《IV》

榕樹澳 • 徑《4》

View of the Peaks

Walking along the coast of Kei Ling Ha Hoi, you’ll see 【Ma On Shan (馬鞍山)】, 【Ngau Ngak Shan (牛押山)】, 【Wan Kuk Shan (彎曲山)】, and the 【Ngong Ping • Plateau (昂平 • 平原)】.
榕樹澳 • 漁排《1》榕樹澳 • 漁排《2》

Yung Shue O • Fish Rafts (榕樹澳 • 漁排)

A popular spot for those interested in local fishing culture.

28. 📍 Yung Shue O Path • Sai Sha Road

榕樹澳徑 • 西沙路

Yung Shue O Path • Sai Sha Road (榕樹澳徑 • 西沙路)

After a 4.5 km walk from the village, you’ve reached the main 【Sai Sha Road (西沙路)】. Look out for the impressive “forest” of traffic signs at the junction.
路牌 • 陣

Signpost • Cluster (路牌 • 陣)

Right next to the junction of 【Yung Shue O Path (榕樹澳徑)】 and 【Sai Sha Road (西沙路)】, you’ll spot this spectacular 『forest』 of signposts.

29. 📍 Shui Long Wo

水浪窩

Shui Long Wo (水浪窩)

The finish line! Before heading off, check out the 【Kei Ling Ha • Tree Walk (企嶺下 • 樹木研習徑)】 and the 【Star Lookout (觀星台)】.
企嶺下樹木研習徑 • 地圖資訊板《1》

Kei Ling Ha • Tree Walk (企嶺下 • 樹木研習徑)

Here you’ll find the 【Kei Ling Ha • Tree Walk 《Information Map》 (企嶺下 • 樹木研習徑《導覽地圖》)】 by the AFCD. It’s a good spot to brush up on some local geographical knowledge.

路牌 • 水浪窩

Signpost • Shui Long Wo (路牌 • 水浪窩)

Besides being a popular hiking trail, 【Shui Long Wo (水浪窩)】 is a well-known BBQ spot with very convenient transport links.

30. 📍 路牌 • 企嶺下樹徑

路牌 • 企嶺下樹徑《1》路牌 • 企嶺下樹徑《2》

Signpost ｜ Kei Ling Ha • Tree Walk (路牌 ｜ 企嶺下 • 樹徑)

Take a stroll through the 【Kei Ling Ha • Tree Walk (企嶺下 • 樹木研習徑)】 to learn more about the local ecological environment.

31. 📍 Shui Long Wo • Star Lookout

水浪窩觀星台 • 入口《1》水浪窩觀星台 • 入口《2》

Shui Long Wo • Star Lookout (水浪窩 • 觀星台) 《Entrance》

After passing through the 【Kei Ling Ha • Tree Walk (企嶺下 • 樹木研習徑)】, you will see a plaque ahead marked 【Star Lookout (觀星台)】.
金星蕨科

Thelypteridaceae (金星蕨科)

The 【Thelypteridaceae (金星蕨科)】 are terrestrial ferns with leaves that are either simple or once-pinnate, with the lower pinnae being somewhat shorter.
水浪窩 • 觀星台《1》水浪窩 • 觀星台《2》水浪窩 • 觀星台《3》

Shui Long Wo • Star Lookout (水浪窩 • 觀星台)

Standing at 6 meters tall and surrounded by dense trees, the 【Shui Long Wo • Star Lookout (水浪窩 • 觀星台)】resembles a miniature ancient fortress. It is a replica of the 【Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory (告城天文台)】 in Henan Province, which was built in 1276 by order of Kublai Khan (Emperor Shizu of Yuan) to measure shadows, observe stars, and keep time.

32. 📍 Finish: Shui Long Wo • Bus Stop

水浪窩 • 巴士站

Shui Long Wo • Bus Stop (水浪窩 • 巴士站)

Having trekked approximately 14 km from the starting point at 【Pak Sha O • Youth Hostel (白沙澳 • 青年旅舍)】, you have finally reached the end of the trail. You can catch a bus back to the city from the 【Shui Long Wo • Bus Stop (水浪窩 • 巴士站)】.