Cheung Sha Beach

Cheung Sha runs about three kilometres along the southern shore of Lantau, which makes it the longest beach in Hong Kong, and it is divided by a low headland into Upper and Lower Cheung Sha: the lower section has lifeguards, changing rooms and a handful of restaurants on the sand, and the upper section is quieter and largely empty on weekdays. Behind it the South Lantau Road runs between the beach and steep green hills, with the Lantau peaks rising inland. Because Lantau has fewer people and no through traffic here, the beach never feels like the ones on Hong Kong Island, and long walks along the waterline are the main activity.

What you actually see

• Three kilometres of sand - the longest beach in the territory.
• Upper and Lower sections - one lifeguarded, one largely empty.
• Restaurants on the sand - the small strip behind the lower beach.
• Lantau hills behind - green slopes rising straight off the road.

When to go

April to October for swimming, with lifeguards on duty in the season. Half a day. Weekdays are very quiet; summer weekends bring crowds to the lower section only.

Honest expectations

Currents can be strong and the upper beach has no lifeguards. Buses along South Lantau Road are infrequent and fill up. There is no shade on the sand. Facilities outside the lower section are minimal.

Nearby

Pui O is east; Tung Chung lies north over the hills.