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Updated by Doretta Lau

Beyond all the towering skyscrapers and bustling markets, 70 percent of Hong Kong’s land is rural, rugged, and relatively unspoiled. Easy day trips from one of the most startlingly busy and modern metropolises in the world take you to pristine beaches, hillside forests, and still-quiet fishing villages. No matter what sort of experience you crave, Hong Kong’s vast and efficient transport network puts just about any place you want to visit within easy reach.

Beach lovers usually head to the south side of Hong Kong Island, where the seaside towns of Shek O and Stanley command two peninsulas and are surrounded by popular stretches of sand. Of course, you never get too far from civilization in Hong Kong—the ever popular Ocean Park, an aquarium and water park, and a lush golf course are set amid the beautiful Southside scenery.

Lantau is the largest of Hong Kong’s 200 islands and has long been a favorite getaway for city dwellers who want to escape to the forested landscapes and mountain vistas. The island is famous as the home of the world’s favorite mouse, at Disney World, and for the world’s largest Buddha, the Tian Tian Buddha at Ngong Ping. Near these sights are towering peaks offering mountain hikes and nice beaches backed by quiet fishing villages. You can take in the scenery from the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, a 5.7 km ride filled with fantastic views of Lantau’s steep northern coast.

Many of Hong Kong’s lushest, trail-laced parks are tucked away in the New Territories, at the eastern end of Kowloon. Here you can also catch glimpses of traditional life in rustic villages, visit incense-filled temples, or lie on pristine beaches.

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