Our past visits to Hong Kong had always been a bit… underwhelming. Each time, we somehow ended up in the same area. Southern Kowloon, surrounded by malls, neon signs, and crowds. We’re not big shoppers, so the endless commercial buzz left us wondering why people spoke so highly of the city. But instead of giving up entirely, we decided to give Hong Kong one last shot, with a different plan.
This time, we set our sights on Lantau Island. Not to be confused with Lamma Island (we double-checked), Lantau promised something entirely different: nature, cliffs, beaches, and fewer shopping bags. The only problem? It’s not the cheapest spot to stay, especially on a spontaneous weekend getaway. So we pulled up Google Maps, scrolled around, and found an alternative nearby. Another small island with better hotel prices and close enough access to Lantau. It looked decent. We booked it.
We arrived late that night in Hong Kong. Our hotel was conveniently located right next to the ferry pier for Lamma Island. With no restaurants open nearby, we ducked into a supermarket, grabbed some cup noodles, and headed to our room, only to realize they didn’t come with spoons or chopsticks. Improvising, we used the plastic lids from our bottled drinks to scoop up our meal. Not glamorous, but memorable.
The next morning brought wind and grey skies, but we boarded the ferry to Lantau anyway. The sea was choppy, and Jiao started to feel a little seasick, but the dramatic arrival, steep cliffs, stormy clouds, and the scent of sea spray was thrilling. It felt like landing on the edge of a storybook.
Luckily, the skies cleared just enough to let us explore. We strolled through quiet villages, lush trails, and eventually reached a small black sand beach, a rare sight in this part of the world. It was peaceful and raw, a side of Hong Kong we’d never imagined existed. No crowds, no glittering storefronts, just us, the wind, and the sea.
By late afternoon, the rain returned. Wet but satisfied, we made our way back and caught the overnight train to Guangzhou.
It wasn’t a perfect weekend. It wasn’t sunny. But it was exactly what we needed, a reminder that places deserve second chances, especially if you dare to go beyond the obvious.
