In the fat’ east of the island, Shek O is Hong Kong’s most remote settlement and, incredibly, it still gives the feeling of being “undiscovered”, if such a thing is possible m Hong Kong. There’s a strong surf beating on the wide, white beach, which has a shady area of vine trellises at one end for barbecues and, during the week, is more or less deserted. Come for sunbathing and lunch at one of the cheap local restaurants. It’s also a popular hiking spot with breath- taking views; if you’re interested, the HKTB can provide you with information about walking part of the Hong Kong Trail along the D’Aguilar peninsula.
You can’t miss the beach - it’s just a few minutes’ walk east from the bus stop, beyond a small roundabout. For a small detour through the village, however, stop at the excellent Thai restaurant with outdoor tables and chairs that you see on your Ieft just before the roundabout. Ifyou take the small lane left running right through the restaurant area, you’ll pass first the local temple and then a variety of shops and stalls.
Reaching Shek O in the first place is one of the best things about it. First you need to get to Shau Kei Wan on the northeastern shore of Hong Kong Island, either by tram or MTR. From the bus ternfinal outside the MTR sta- tion, catch bus #9 to Shek O, a great journey over hills (30min) during which you’ll be able to spot first the sparkling waters of the Tai Tam Reservoir, then Stanley (far to the southwest) and finally Shek O itself, appearing down below like a Mediterranean village on the shore. Shau Kei Wan MTR is also the stop- off for the splendid Coastal Defence Museum, located at the 1887 LeiYue Mui Fort (exit B1, walk ten minutes up Shau Kei Wan Street East, then along Tun Hei Road; daily except Wed 10am-5pm). This offers a history of Hong K0ng’s coastal defence from the Ming dynasty to the handover; there are also good walks around the rocks and to the shore.
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