Nestled halfway up the southern slopes of Route Twisk from Tsuen Wan, Chuen Lung Tsuen (literally “dragon stream village”) is best known for its tea houses, of which the Choi Lung Restaurant is among the most popular. Run by the indigenous Tsang family, the restaurant is as famous for dim sum as the tea brewed with fresh natural mountain water. Be expected to be more crowded with local day-trippers and hikers on weekends.

How to get there
From MTR Tsuen Wan Station, take exit A and turn left on Tai Ho Road North, and take bus 51 bound for Sheung Tsuen, and after a ride of around 30 minutes, alight at Chuen Lung. The restaurant is around the corner after crossing the road.

This hiking trail is a perfect example of how easily accessible hiking is from downtown. Just 30 minutes from central Tsuen Wan, this moderately difficult trail takes you to the 957-metre-high Tai Mo Shan, the highest mountain in Hong Kong, and on clear days the walk along its ridgetop is well rewarded with panoramic views covering virtually every part of Hong Kong.

Starting point
From Tsuen Wan MTR Station, take exit A and turn left on Tai Ho Road North, and take bus 51 bound for Sheung Tsuen, and after a ride of around 30 minutes, alight at the Country Park stop. Retract your way for about 20 minutes to arrive at the gate of the Tai Mo Shan Country Park.

Tai Mo Shan
The hike begins at a high altitude around the summit of Tai Mo Shan. The high altitude enjoys a relatively higher level of rainfall and brings about Lam Tsuen and Shing Mun rivers, two of the largest rivers in the New Territories, down the mountain slope and attracting a rich diversity of wildlife, including freshwater fish, shrimps, amphibians and crabs.

Lead Mine Pass
Located at the junction of Sections 7-8 of the MacLehose Trail and Section 7 of the Wilson Trail, the Lead Mine Pass used to house a thriving mining industry as long as a century ago. Since many mines located deep in the woods were left abandoned decades ago, mining ceased in the area.

Shing Mun Country Park Visitor Centre
Situated near the Pineapple Dam, the Shing Mun Country Park Visitor Centre is open on weekends and public holidays, and provides a wealthy source of information about the history of the reservoir and country park, the mining industry, war relics as well as the rich biodiversity in the vicinity. Open from 0930 to 1630hrs on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. For enquiries, please call 1823.

Pineapple Dam (End point)
The Pineapple Dam derives its name from the fruit trees that the Hakka villagers grew when they first chose to settle in the area. Nowadays a smaller dam of the Shing Mun Reservoir is located there as well as the entrance to the Shing Mun Country Park, marked by a very photographic sign styled like an ancient city gate (“shing mun” in Chinese).

Average hiking time: Approximately 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 11 km
Difficulty: Fairly difficult
Remarks: Stock up food and water before the hike, as there are no stores for replenishing along the route.
Getting to starting point: From Tsuen Wan MTR Station, take exit A and turn left on Tai Ho Road North, and take bus 51 bound for Sheung Tsuen, and after a ride of around 30 minutes, alight at the Country Park stop. Retract your way for about 20 minutes to arrive at the gate of the Tai Mo Shan Country Park.
From the end point: From the Pineapple Dam minibus terminus, take minibus 82 to Tsuen Wan town centre (Shiu Wo Street)