Cheung Pui Tau Sky Pool

🌊 【Cheung Pui Tau Sky Pool（長排頭天池）】 is a natural tidal pool located in Sha Tau Kok Sea, Northeast New Territories, Hong Kong, situated along the coast of Cheung Pai Tau. This natural pool reveals itself during low tide; because its glassy surface perfectly mirrors the sky and surrounding mangroves to create a spectacular ‘Mirror of the Sky’ phenomenon, it is affectionately dubbed ‘Sky Pool’ by local hikers. Cheung Pai Tau itself is a curved islet connected to the mainland via a pebble trail. At high tide, this trail is completely submerged by seawater, isolating the islet; at low tide, visitors can walk along the path to the very end to witness this natural wonder. —

📌 Basic Information

Item Details

📍 Location Name Cheung Pai Tau – Sky Pool

🌍 District / Region Sha Tau Kok Sea, Northeast New Territories

🗺 Geographical Features Tombolo, natural tidal pool, and mangrove landscape

🚶‍♂️ Hiking Route Luk Keng → Fung Hang → Kuk Po → Yung Shue Au → Cheung Pui Tau → Wu Kau Tang

📏 Route Length Approx. 12-14 km (depending on the specific route and backtracking choices)

⏱ Estimated Time Approx. 5.5 – 7 hours (including photography and waiting for low tide)

⛰ Elevation Minimal elevation gain; highest point is around 100 meters (excluding optional detours to the Tiu Tang Lung area)

💪 Difficulty Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Due to the long distance and more complex trail conditions on the return journey)

🌊 Tidal Influence Extremely high. Accessing the Sky Pool safely requires a low tide (ideally a tide height of 0.5 meters or below); during high tide, the pebble path is submerged, creating a high risk of being stranded.

🧭 Navigation Limited trail markers; certain coastal sections require solid directional awareness (Moderate to High navigation skill level required)

🏕 Supply Points Basic supplies are only available at village tuck shops in Fung Hang or Kuk Po (mostly open on weekends and public holidays); no supply points are available past Yung Shue Au.

🚐 Transportation Take Route 56K Green Minibus (GMB) to the starting point at Luk Keng; for the return trip, take Route 20R Green Minibus (GMB) from Wu Kau Tang to Tai Po Market MTR Station.

📸 Scenic Highlights Stunning ‘Mirror of the Sky’ reflections, the mystical ambiance of the abandoned Hakka village (Yung Shue Au), and panoramic border views overlooking Sha Tau Kok and Shenzhen’s Yantian Port.

⚠️ Important Notes & Safety Tips This route spans a long distance with minimal shade; hikers must bring sufficient water and sun protection gear. It is mandatory to check the Hong Kong Observatory’s tide forecast before setting out; never attempt to wade through deep water.

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🧭 Geographical Location & Background

Located at the extreme northeastern edge of the New Territories, it belongs to the remote border waters. Historically, it was part of the Frontier Closed Area, which restricted visitor numbers and helped preserve its pristine natural coastal landforms and robust ecological environment.

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🌅 Tidal Safety Tips & Viewing Recommendations

Tide Info：Before setting off, be sure to check the tide forecasts for Tai Po Kau or Kat O on the Hong Kong Observatory website.

Best Viewing Time：It is generally recommended to arrive at Cheung Pai Tau within 1 hour before or after the lowest tide level of the day. If the tide level is above 0.8 meters, the pebble path may already be affected by waves, making crossings hazardous.

Photography Tips：When the tide retreats sufficiently low, the pool surface becomes as still as a mirror. It is recommended to squat down and capture from a low angle to perfectly incorporate the sky, clouds, opposite mangroves, and distant scenery into the frame. Utilizing backlighting or the twilight ‘Magic Hour’ can yield highly dramatic silhouette effects.

Bushwhacking Tips：Certain sections leading from Yung Shue Au to Cheung Pai Tau may involve cutting through dense tall grass or brushwoods (locally known as ‘bushwhacking’). Wearing long-sleeved tops, long pants, and hiking gloves is highly recommended to protect against scratches and cuts.

Coasteering Safety：When traversing along coastal rocks and reefs (locally termed ‘coasteering’), pay extra attention to moss and slipperiness on rock surfaces. Wearing hiking shoes with excellent grip (such as Vibram soles or specialized river-tracing shoes) is critical. Retract to high ground immediately if high waves occur.

Navigation Skill Requirements：This route is not a standard family trail managed by the LCSD or AFCD; some ‘ribbon paths’ (markers left by fellow hikers) can be obscure, requiring hikers to possess basic map-reading skills or use GPS navigation mobile applications.

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🧢 Recommended Gear

Sufficient drinking water (at least 2 liters), trail snacks, a headlamp (in case of delayed return), a basic first-aid kit, a sun hat, mosquito repellent, and a spare change of clothes and socks (in case they get wet).

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📸 Top Photo Spots

Cheung Pai Tau Tombolo ：The gravel tombolo exposed during low tide is the mandatory passage to the Sky Pool, offering a magnificent view flanked by seawater on both sides.

Yung Shue Au Abandoned Ancient Village ：An old Hakka village reclaimed by nature; its abandoned brick walls and deeply intertwined banyan roots evoke a distinctive ruin aesthetic and historical nostalgia.

Fung Hang and Kuk Po Golden Reed Beds ：During the autumn season, the reed beds around Kuk Po transform into a stunning golden sea, which alongside the historic villages forms one of Hong Kong’s most popular photography spots.

Tiu Tang Lung Summit Vista ：If you possess exceptional stamina and have enough time, you can complete a challenging ascent to the Tiu Tang Lung summit from Wu Kau Tang, which commands an unrivaled panoramic view over Double Haven and Sha Tau Kok Sea, ranking among the finest vistas in the Northeast New Territories.

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👣 How to Get There

1. From the City to the Trailhead (Luk Keng)

Take Green Minibus (GMB) Route 56K from Fanling MTR Station and alight at the Luk Keng Terminus. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Headways are shorter on weekends but queues can be long, so an early start is advised.

2. Alternative Starting Point (Wu Kau Tang)

Take Green Minibus (GMB) Route 20R from Tai Po Market MTR Station to reach Wu Kau Tang. Note that this service is quite infrequent, so checking the schedule beforehand is essential.

3. Return Journey

Upon arriving at Wu Kau Tang Village, take Green Minibus (GMB) Route 20R back to Tai Po Market MTR Station. Queues can be long during the weekend evening peak. Alternatively, you may call a New Territories taxi to head towards Tai Po Market or Fanling.

Item	Details
📍 Location Name	Cheung Pai Tau – Sky Pool
🌍 District / Region	Sha Tau Kok Sea, Northeast New Territories
🗺 Geographical Features	Tombolo, natural tidal pool, and mangrove landscape
🚶‍♂️ Hiking Route	Luk Keng → Fung Hang → Kuk Po → Yung Shue Au → Cheung Pui Tau → Wu Kau Tang
📏 Route Length	Approx. 12-14 km (depending on the specific route and backtracking choices)
⏱ Estimated Time	Approx. 5.5 – 7 hours (including photography and waiting for low tide)
⛰ Elevation	Minimal elevation gain; highest point is around 100 meters (excluding optional detours to the Tiu Tang Lung area)
💪 Difficulty Rating	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Due to the long distance and more complex trail conditions on the return journey)
🌊 Tidal Influence	Extremely high. Accessing the Sky Pool safely requires a low tide (ideally a tide height of 0.5 meters or below); during high tide, the pebble path is submerged, creating a high risk of being stranded.
🧭 Navigation	Limited trail markers; certain coastal sections require solid directional awareness (Moderate to High navigation skill level required)
🏕 Supply Points	Basic supplies are only available at village tuck shops in Fung Hang or Kuk Po (mostly open on weekends and public holidays); no supply points are available past Yung Shue Au.
🚐 Transportation	Take Route 56K Green Minibus (GMB) to the starting point at Luk Keng; for the return trip, take Route 20R Green Minibus (GMB) from Wu Kau Tang to Tai Po Market MTR Station.
📸 Scenic Highlights	Stunning ‘Mirror of the Sky’ reflections, the mystical ambiance of the abandoned Hakka village (Yung Shue Au), and panoramic border views overlooking Sha Tau Kok and Shenzhen’s Yantian Port.
⚠️ Important Notes & Safety Tips	This route spans a long distance with minimal shade; hikers must bring sufficient water and sun protection gear. It is mandatory to check the Hong Kong Observatory’s tide forecast before setting out; never attempt to wade through deep water.