Hong Kong equals shopping. And it’s true that a large feature of Hong Kong is its shopping.
It’s often why people travel to Hong Kong, and it’s largely what many of the local tours focus on.
But Hong Kong has some absolutely spectacular countryside, which you’ll only see if you take a ferry out to one of the outlying islands, or explore the New Territories.
The main areas of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories) cover an area roughly the same size as what’s enclosed within the M25 Circular Motorway around London.
But the entire territory comprises a total of 243 islands. Many of them aren’t inhabited, but those that are offer spectacular views and seafood that’s out of this world.
And it’s so quick and easy to get there.
Lamma Island, for example, is a 30 – 45 minute ferry ride from Central, depending on which bit you go to and how new your ferry is.
Yung Shu Wan sits at the Western end of Lamma and is the most developed part. There’s quite a large residential community there, and restaurants offering a range of different cuisines in addition to local seafood.
Sok Kwa Wan is on the North coast in the middle part of the island. It’s much less developed – in fact it only contains a fish farm and a series of local seafood restaurants. But the food is glorious.
You can walk from Yung Shu Wan to Sok Kwa Wan in about 45 minutes. It’s well sign posted and the path is paved all the way, so it’s a pretty easy walk. You do have some hills to negotiate, but you can take your time.
(But do take some water, especially in the Summer!)
On the way you’ll be treated to some spectacular views back towards the southern side of Hong Kong Island and across to Lantau Island, plus some great beaches and the hills that make up Lamma.
And a butt ugly view of the Hong Kong Electric Power station – but ignore that one. 
When you get to Sok Kwa Wan there are lots of local seafood restaurants where you can settle down with an ice cold drink and start picking your way through the menu.
A favourite routine of mine is to go over with a few friends, do that walk and settle into the Lamma Hilton. There’s no pressure to eat and be gone – it’s very laid back.
We order beer and wine, and then spend the next four hours or so just sitting, chatting, and working our way through the menu, ordering just one or two dishes at a time. It’s a wonderful way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
There are lots of pictures of Hong Kong here – including a few of Lamma Island.
If your impression of Hong Kong is shopping and skyscrapers those pics are worth checking out. Unless you like shopping and skyscrapers.
See my recommended tours to exciting Asian destinations, click here!
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