Dragon's Back (龍脊) is the undulating ridge running between Shek O Peak (打爛埕頂山, 284 m) and Wan Cham Shan inside Shek O Country Park, at the southeastern corner of Hong Kong Island, and it forms the centrepiece of Section 8 of the Hong Kong Trail (To Tei Wan to Tai Long Wan, 8.5 km, officially about 2 hours 45 minutes). The ridge's dragon-spine profile and its open views over Shek O, Stanley, Tai Tam Bay and Tung Lung Chau earned it Time magazine's title of Asia's best urban hike in 2004 and a place on CNN's list of the world's best trails. As of July 2026 the trail remains free, open around the clock with no ticket or booking system, and no closure or works notice was found; the real variables are heavy weekend crowds and midsummer heat. Treat it as a half-day outing from the city: ride the bus out early, walk the ridge, and finish with a swim or a meal at Big Wave Bay.
Shek O Peak (284 m) — the high point of the ridge and a full 360-degree lookout, reachable in roughly 30 minutes from the To Tei Wan trailhead.
The Dragon's Back Viewing Point — the classic vantage where Shek O peninsula, Stanley and Tai Tam Bay line up in a single frame.
The ridgeline itself — the rolling crest from Shek O Peak to Wan Cham Shan that gives the trail both its silhouette and its name.
Pottinger Gap pavilion and picnic area — a shaded rest stop late in the route, with the reverse view over Chai Wan and Tseung Kwan O.
Big Wave Bay at the finish — a well-known surf beach with changing rooms and food kiosks, and the Bronze Age Big Wave Bay Rock Carving, a declared monument, close by.
Good to know
SafetyThe initial climb and most of the ridge have almost no shade (the official shading rating is the lowest grade) and there are no shops or water points anywhere on the route. Carry 1.5-2 litres of water per person plus a hat and sunscreen, and turn back early if you feel unwell, as escape routes mid-ridge are limited. In an emergency dial 999 and quote the number on the nearest trail distance post so rescuers can locate you.
SeasonJuly to September is typhoon and rainstorm season. Check the Hong Kong Observatory for tropical cyclone signals (T1/T3/T8), rainstorm warnings (amber/red/black), the Very Hot Weather Warning and thunderstorm warnings before you set off, and abandon the hike at T3 or above or under a red or black rainstorm warning. In the dry months a yellow or red Fire Danger Warning may be in force, when all open flames are banned in country parks.
RulesCooking, camping and open fires are prohibited in the country park outside designated barbecue sites, and you are expected to carry your rubbish out. Entry is free and unticketed, but feeding wild monkeys or stray dogs and flying drones are restricted; follow the on-site signage.
RulesHong Kong is separate from mainland China for immigration, connectivity and payments. Most short-stay visitors, including Korean passport holders (90 days visa-free, no pre-arrival registration), enter without a visa; Google, messaging apps and social media work without a VPN; and Alipay or WeChat Pay are optional rather than required. An Octopus card covers MTR, buses and minibuses, and buses give no change. If you add a same-trip side visit to Shenzhen or elsewhere on the mainland, that leg needs its own visa, mobile payment set-up and VPN planning.
MannersOn weekends and public holidays the ridge can slow to single file. Keep to one side on narrow stretches, yield to hikers coming uphill, and avoid occupying viewpoints or narrow rock sections for long photo sessions. Weekday mornings are dramatically quieter.
CautionThe trail itself involves no tourist traps, but the transport to it deserves care. Confirm that a taxi to Shek O or Big Wave Bay will run on the meter before boarding, as drivers have been reported asking for extra on top of the fare for the return leg, and carry small notes because many Hong Kong taxis are still cash-oriented. Bus route 9 and the red minibus are far cheaper and more predictable.
SafetyIf you plan to swim at Big Wave Bay, check the LCSD lifeguard hours and season (broadly April to October, subject to official notices) and stay inside the shark prevention net. The bay is named for its surf, with separate surfing and swimming zones, so follow the flags and beach signage.
Practical info
Take the MTR Island Line to Shau Kei Wan, walk to the bus terminus and catch Citybus route 9 (or a red minibus bound for Shek O) for about 20 minutes to the To Tei Wan stop, where steps across the road mark the trailhead; from the Big Wave Bay finish, route 9 or a red minibus returns you to Shau Kei Wan. As a country park the area is open at all times with no admission fee, opening hours or reservation, but bus timetables, fares and any active weather warnings should be checked for the latest information right before you go.
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