Walk 6061 - Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island

      
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Much of the former British colony of Hong Kong is highly developed yet there are areas where the impact of modern development is much less and it is possible to get away from the noise of urban sprawl. The ‘outlying islands’ of Lamma and Cheung Chau both fall into this category and are largely traffic free. Both are easily reached by frequent, inexpensive ferry services from the Outlying Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island which is only a short walk from Central Station.

      
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This walk follows a well made trail across Lamma Island from Sok Kwu Wan with its seafood restaurants and floating fish farms to Yung Shue Wan in northern Lamma where again there are many excellent seafood restaurants.

After landing at Sok Kwu Wan, bear right through the seafood restaurants lining the ‘street’. Soon you reach an open area with a small temple on your left. Continue along the concrete path with the sea to your right. Out in the bay the fish farms dominate the scene. Generally the route is clear and well signed. Reaching the junction for Lo So Shing, bear right. If time is on your side then a diversion to the excellent beach at Lo So Shing is worthwhile. Because of its relatively remote location it sees fewer visitors.

Along the route there are limited opportunities to buy drinks although casual vendors are common during weekends and public holidays. After the junction the path climbs into the mountainous spine of the island before descending to the beach at Hung Shing Yeh. The only blot on the landscape is the power station, which provides most of Hong Kong’s electricity. A further 20 minutes or so from the beach will see you enter the final destination of Yung Shue Wan. Popular with westerners who want to escape the bustle of mainland Hong Kong the restaurants offer a mouth watering range of dishes.

All that remains is to catch a ferry back to Central. Cruising through the busy waters allows you time to reflect on this relatively peaceful corner of this Special Administrative Region of China.