Lion Rock

Lion Rock rises to 495 metres directly behind Kowloon, and from the south the granite outcrop on its summit reads clearly as the head and shoulders of a crouching lion, which is how it got its name and why its silhouette is one of the most recognisable shapes in Hong Kong. The climb takes one to two hours from several trailheads, mostly on stepped paths through country park scrub, ending at a viewpoint where the whole of Kowloon, the harbour and the towers of Hong Kong island are laid out below in one of the best urban views anywhere in the territory. The final rocks are exposed and unfenced, and people go further out on them than is wise.

History

The Kowloon granite of Lion Rock is estimated to be around 140 million years old. In the Qing dynasty two paths were built on either side of the hill, from Wang Tau Hom to Sha Tin and from Tsz Wan Shan to Tsok Pok Hang, still used by walkers; after the ban on coastal settlement of the Great Clearance was lifted in 1668, the coast defences were strengthened with fortified mounds, one of them the Kowloon Mound on Lion Rock (Wikipedia, Lion Rock).

What you'll find

• The lion profile - the summit outcrop seen from the Kowloon side.
• Kowloon and the harbour below - the city laid out from the viewpoint.
• Stepped country park trails - the routes up from several districts.
• Sunset and night city lights - the reason for late ascents.

When to go

October to April, when the air is clearer and the heat manageable. Half a day. Sunset is popular and busy; bring a torch for the descent. Avoid it in summer afternoons.

Good to know

The summit rocks are exposed with long drops and no railings. Haze frequently ruins the view even on clear-feeling days. Trails are steep and stepped throughout. Weekend and sunset crowds are heavy.

Nearby

Wong Tai Sin temple is below; Amah Rock lies north-west.

Key facts