Hong Kong Grand Canyon

How to Hike Por Lo Shan: Hong Kong's 'Grand Canyon'

By 
Kamal Mirwani
Published 
January 01, 2024
Type: Mountain Views
Type: City Views
Difficulty: Easy
District: New Territories

Contents

Essential Hong Kong Grand Canyon Hike Details

  • District: New Territories
  • Duration: 2 hours (there and back the same way)
  • Distance: 6.5 km
  • Highest Elevation: 150ish meters
  • Difficulty: 1/5 (if you take the concrete road the whole way) 1.5/5 if you take the dusty mountain path
  • Facilities: None. Bring your own water and food. Also, use the toilet beforehand.

Why Hike to the Hong Kong Grand Canyon?

Cool rocks
Cool rocks
The chance to be exploded, apparently
The chance to be exploded, apparently
More cool rocks
More cool rocks
The chance to get shot at, apparently
The chance to get shot at, apparently
Interesting scenery with China in the backdrop
Interesting scenery with China in the backdrop

While the Hong Kong Grand Canyon sounds out of this world impressive in name, the reality is a little more down to earth. Located far away from the city, you'll likely spend over an hour getting to the start point of a hike that takes less than two hours to complete.

The Grand Canyon, itself, is pretty small and overhyped on social media accounts. That being said, this is a wonderful hike for beginners looking to explore an easy trail that's not swarming with tourists. There are some steep climbing sections, but as long as you follow the concrete road, there's nothing technical or challenging throughout the entire hike.

You'll also be hiking below the towering behemoth of Castle Peak. It's possible to climb up to Castle Peak from the start point of this hike, but that's a guide for another time.

If you're keen to check out a totally different type of scenery in Hong Kong, then the Hong Kong Grand Canyon is a great option. Oh, and you'll also get to ride the light rail, which is really cool!

Castle Peak Transmission Tower and Tuen Mun
In case you're looking for a greater challenge.
Castle Peak: A Hike That Takes Your Breath Away in More Ways Than One

Google Route Map and GPX File

Hung Shek Mun Hike GPX

How to Get to the Hong Kong Grand Canyon Hike Start Point

Take the Tuen Ma Line on the MTR to Siu Hong Station. From there, leave through Exit B1.

Quick Hong Kong Grand Canyon Hike Route Summary

Hong Kong Grand Canyon Route Map
  1. Take Exit B1 from Siu Hong MTR Station
  2. Get on the light rail and take line 615 or 505 to San Wai
  3. Walk through San Wai Court and make your way onto the concrete road (it has no official name on Google Maps)
  4. Keep following the road past the traditional green-tiled wall with a round entrance
  5. A short distance away, you'll see a pole with a round light and a solar panel on top. That's the entrance to the hike
  6. Climb the steep slope upward for about 20 minutes until it levels out at the top
  7. Choose if you want to take the concrete road to the left (easy route) or the dusty mountain path
  8. If you take the concrete path, just follow it upward
  9. For the mountain path, take the stairs into the trees
  10. Keep climbing upward, being careful not to trip or slip because of the loose dirt
  11. Head downward to a steep dirt section that the concrete path also intersects with
  12. Arrive at a flat, wide dirt path
  13. Follow the flat path for a bit until you see a blue 'Explosion Zone' sign to the right
  14. I'd recommend staying left and following the official path here, though you can take a slightly more daring path if you go past the blue sign
  15. Both paths connect to a concrete road that winds steeply downward
  16. At the blue 'No Trespassing' sign, you've arrived at the Hong Kong Grand Canyon
  17. Explore and head back the way you came. I'd definitely recommend following the concrete road all the way back

How to Get the Light Rail to San Wai

Take exit B1 at Siu Hong MTR Station
Take exit B1 at Siu Hong MTR Station
Take light rail route 615 to San Wai
Take light rail route 615 to San Wai
You can also get line 505 to San Wai from Platform 5 (where the light rail is in this picture)
You can also get line 505 to San Wai from Platform 5 (where the light rail is in this picture)
Don't forget to tap your Octopus Card on the orange payment terminal before getting on
Don't forget to tap your Octopus Card on the orange payment terminal before getting on
Here's a map of the light rail. San Wai is 5 stops away from Siu Hong
Here's a map of the light rail. San Wai is 5 stops away from Siu Hong
Don't forget to tap your Octopus Card on the green payment terminal when you leave
Don't forget to tap your Octopus Card on the green payment terminal when you leave at San Wai

Getting From San Wai to the Trail

Cross the tracks to the blue triangular roofed structure
Cross the tracks after getting off at San Wai to the blue triangular roofed structure
Follow the roofed walkway into San Wai Court
Follow the roofed walkway into San Wai Court
Head straight past San Wai Court Carpark after the roofed walkway ends
Head straight past San Wai Court Carpark after the roofed walkway ends
Walk between and past the blue roofed walkway in the distance to the road beyond
Walk between and past the blue roofed walkway in the distance to the road beyond
You'll end up at this road (it has no name on Google), which you will follow until the start of the trail
You'll end up at this road (it has no name on Google), which you will follow until the start of the trail
A few mins later, you'll see a traditional looking wall with a round entrance
A few mins later, you'll see a traditional looking wall with a round entrance
Go past the little car barrier
Go past the little car barrier
The pole with a round light and square solar panel is the trail start point
The pole with a round light and square solar panel is the trail start point

When you enter San Wai Court, you don't necessarily need to follow my route to get to the unnamed road.

Walk long enough through San Wai Court and you'll come across the road eventually. Once you're on it, just follow it inward until you see the pole with the round light and solar panel on the top.

Get Ready For a Steep 20-Minute Climb

Turn in when you see the solar panel lamp and begin climbing up the concrete road
Turn in when you see the solar panel lamp and begin climbing up the concrete road
You'll actually see another similar lamp as you begin your ascent
You'll actually see another similar lamp as you begin your ascent
This is one of several interesting cultural shrines and temples on the way up
This is one of several interesting cultural shrines and temples on the way up
Here's a cool pavilion you'll pass as you climb
Here's a cool pavilion you'll pass as you climb
The path goes past huge bamboo plants
The path goes past huge bamboo plants
This epic old man was having a grand time feeding the pigeons
This epic old man was having a grand time feeding the pigeons
Here's another little shrine you'll pass by closer to the top
Here's another little shrine you'll pass by closer to the top
The trees will begin to clear away near the top
The path will begin to open up near the top
Hmmmm....
Hmmmm....
Here's the view from near the top
Here's the view from near the top
As soon as the concrete vanishes and the path flattens, you've reached the top
As soon as the concrete vanishes and the path flattens, you've reached the top...of the first uphill!

Choose Between the Mountain Path or the Road

The mountain trail is straight ahead and the road is to the left (where the people are)
The mountain trail is straight ahead and the road is to the left (where the people are)

This is the point in the hike where you pick how tough you want the remainder of the journey to be.

If you want the safest, easiest path possible, then follow the road to the left.

If you want some interesting mountain views and don't mind navigating a slightly slippery path with plenty of loose rock and sandy gravel, then you should take the mountain route.

I will detail both options below so you can pick the one that suits you the best.

Option 1: The Concrete Road Route

The path turns to concrete after you head left
The path turns to concrete after you head left
It rises quite sharply after a bit
It rises quite sharply after a bit
This gives you an idea of how steep the gradient is
This gives you an idea of how steep the gradient is
Looking back at mountains and beagles while climbing!
Looking back at mountains and beagles while climbing!

Follow the concrete road on the left for the most straightforward path to the Hong Kong Grand Canyon.

While this path is steep, it requires less climbing than the mountain route and is super safe even for beginners.

This route and the mountain path route will intersect, so even if you go in a group that decides to split up, you can reconnect a short while later.

Option 2: The Mountain Path

Take the stairs going straight into the foliage
Take the stairs going straight into the foliage
Follow the dirt trail upward
Follow the dirt trail upward
After a short while of climbing, don't forget to check out the cool view behind you
After a short while of climbing, don't forget to check out the cool view behind you
When the ground gets sandy, be careful because it can be very slippery
When the ground gets sandy, be careful because it can be very slippery
It gets pretty steep at certain parts
It gets pretty steep at certain parts
You'll soon be able to see out over Tuen Mun
You'll soon be able to see out over Tuen Mun
On the opposite side, you can see a clear view of Castle Peak
On the opposite side, you can see a clear view of Castle Peak, the tallest of Hong Kong's 'Three Sharp Peaks'
Hong Kong's Three Sharp Peaks: Castle Peak, Sharp Peak and High Junk Peak
How to hike all of the 'Sharp Peaks' of Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s 'Three Sharp Peaks': What You Need to Know
Follow the flat path forward for a bit
Follow the flat path forward for a bit
You'll begin to descend soon
You'll begin to descend soon

Though the mountain path is far more treacherous than the concrete road, it does offer better views.

That being said, it does take a bit longer and there are a lot of loose rocks and fine sand around. Make sure to pay attention if you hike this section as it's very easy to slip and lose your balance.

The Final Stretch to the Hong Kong Grand Canyon

This is where the concrete road and mountain path intersects
This is where the concrete road and mountain path intersects
Walk down the dirt stairs on the left to reach the flat path beyond
Walk down the dirt stairs on the left to reach the flat path beyond
Follow the flat path
Follow the flat path
Don't miss more epic Castle Peak views on the left
Don't miss more epic Castle Peak views on the left
A few minutes later, you'll see the first explosion zone sign!
A few minutes later, you'll see the first explosion zone sign!
I highly recommend taking the flat path on the left instead of climbing upward on the right
I highly recommend taking the flat path on the left instead of climbing upward on the right
If you climb up on the right, you'll see another explosion zone sign
If you climb up on the right, you'll see another explosion zone sign
You'll also get some cool views of Shenzhen if you climb up
You'll also get some cool views of Shenzhen if you climb up
Descending from the right path is really treacherous. I still recommend taking the left path from earlier
Descending from the right path is really treacherous. I still recommend taking the left path from earlier
The right treacherous path merges with the left path (which turns into a concrete road again)
The right treacherous path merges with the left path (which turns into a concrete road again)
Follow the road downward to its end
Follow the road downward to its end
This is the entrance to the Hong Kong Grand Canyon
This is the entrance to the Hong Kong Grand Canyon

This section comes with another choice in the trail. Keep left and follow the flat path for the safest route. You can climb up on the right to check out the view and still return back to the flat path to get the best of both worlds.

I definitely don't recommend descending down the treacherous path as it's very slippery and can be tricky to navigate.

The Hong Kong Grand Canyon

Behold! The Hong Kong Grand Canyon
Behold! The Hong Kong Grand Canyon
The color of the rocks makes up for the small size of the canyon
The color of the rocks makes up for the small size of the canyon
In places, the landscape made me think of Mars because of ots coppery hue
In places, the landscape made me think of Mars because of ots coppery hue
This was my favorite view of the canyon, with Castle Peak in the backdrop
This was my favorite view of the canyon, with Castle Peak in the backdrop
The stark contrasts of green with orangey-red was pretty cool
The stark contrasts of green with orangey-red was pretty cool
A view down into the deepest part of the canyon
A view down into the deepest part of the canyon
If you're lucky, the rocks will have a brilliant, red hue. If it's really dusty, it can look much duller
If you're lucky, the rocks will have a brilliant, red hue. If it's really dusty, it can look much duller

The thing about a name like the 'Hong Kong Grand Canyon' is that you expect the place to be massive in scale.

Despite this not being the case, the one thing that is really spectacular about this area is the uniqueness of the landscape. There's no lush jungle here that's par for the course when it comes to Hong Kong mountain landscapes. Instead, there's a lot more shrubbery and arid, rocky land, which is pretty atypical for Hong Kong.

If you're after unique rocks and landscapes to photograph, this place is totally worth it.

Getting Back

Retrace your steps and take the light rail (route 615 or 505) back to Siu Hong MTR Station. You can also take the light rail to Tuen Mun MTR Station, where there are a lot more buses that go to other parts of the city.