Hazy daytime view from Lion Rock over the dense high-rise blocks of Kowloon towards the harbour

Mountain · Kowloon and Sha Tin, New Territories

Lion Rock Country Park

The lion-shaped 495 m peak above Kowloon, symbol of Hong Kong's can-do spirit

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Ambient sound · similar settingWoodland birdsong in the New Territories hills

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Discover Lion Rock Country Park

Seen from the streets of Kowloon, Lion Rock really does resemble a great cat resting on the ridge, its craggy head facing west. Climb to the top and the city spreads out at your feet: the dense towers of Kowloon, the harbour, Hong Kong Island beyond.

The peak sits within Lion Rock Country Park, a green belt of woodland, reservoirs and trails that separates urban Kowloon from Sha Tin. Hikers come at dawn for sunrise, at dusk to watch the city lights come on, and at all hours to escape the streets for a few hours on the hillside.

Don’t miss

01The lion's head summit at 495 m, with panoramic views over Kowloon and the harbour
02Amah Rock, a knoll above Hung Mui Kuk linked to a famous legend of a faithful wife
03Beacon Hill, a former signal station now home to a weather station
04MacLehose Trail Section 5 and Wilson Trail Section 5 through the park
05The Lion Rock War Relics Trail along the Gin Drinkers Line
06Sunrise and city-light views from the ridge

History & culture

The story of Lion Rock Country Park

Lion Rock Country Park was designated on 24 June 1977, making it one of Hong Kong's earliest country parks. Paths across these hills are far older: during the Qing dynasty, routes over the ridge linked Kowloon with Sha Tin, and some are still used by walkers today. In the Second World War the area formed part of the Gin Drinkers Line defences, remembered on a war relics trail.

The mountain holds a special place in Hong Kong's identity. The 1974 RTHK television series Below the Lion Rock, about ordinary families rebuilding their lives after the war, and its theme song sung by Roman Tam, gave rise to the idea of the Lion Rock Spirit: hard work, solidarity and resilience in the face of hardship.

Local life & traditions

Lion Rock is woven into daily life in Kowloon. Residents hike it before work or at weekends, and its silhouette is a familiar backdrop seen from estates such as Wong Tai Sin and Kowloon Tong. The phrase Lion Rock Spirit is still widely used to describe the city's determination.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most visitors hike to the summit for the view; the climb is steep in places, with stairs and rock scrambles near the top, and takes a couple of hours return depending on your route. Experienced hikers can link the peak to MacLehose Trail Section 5, which crosses the park on a hilly route of about 10.6 km.

For a gentler outing, the Wilson Trail Section 5 is mostly level and suitable for beginners, and the Eagle's Nest Nature Trail on the park's western side offers woodland walking with views of the Kowloon Peninsula. Photographers favour sunrise and the blue hour after sunset, when the city lights come on below.

When to go

October to March brings cooler, drier air and the clearest views across the city, making it the best season for summit hikes. Spring can be hazy or misty, and summer is hot and humid with a risk of heat stroke and thunderstorms on the exposed rocks. Start early in warm weather, and avoid the summit in wet or windy conditions when the rocks become slippery.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Designation and size: Designated a country park on 24 June 1977; covers 557 hectares. Lion Rock rises to 495 m. Source: afcd.gov.hk ↗
Trails: MacLehose Trail Section 5 (10.6 km, about 3 hours, hilly) and Wilson Trail Section 5 (7.4 km, about 2.5 hours, mostly level) pass through the park. Source: afcd.gov.hk ↗
Wildlife rule: Never feed the monkeys; observe them from a distance, especially during mating season or near their young. Source: afcd.gov.hk ↗
Facilities: Rain shelters along the MacLehose Trail, the Reunification Pavilion on the mid-slope of Lion Rock, and a small store at Shatin Pass selling cold drinks. Source: afcd.gov.hk ↗
Getting to the western trails: From MTR Sham Shui Po Station (Exit D2), take bus 72 or 81 along Tai Po Road to the Shek Lei Pui Reservoir stop for Kowloon Reservoir and the Eagle's Nest Nature Trail. Source: discoverhongkong.com ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Many hikers climb from the Wong Tai Sin side, which gains nearly 400 m mostly on stairs and rocks; allow plenty of time and water.
Carry a torch if hiking for sunrise or staying after sunset, and do not descend steep sections in the dark without one.
Keep food out of sight and never feed the macaques, which can become aggressive.
Wear shoes with good grip; the summit rocks are exposed and slippery after rain.
Avoid the hike during heat, thunderstorm or typhoon warnings.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Lion Rock Country Park: food, markets & places to stay

The surrounding districts of Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon Tong and Tai Wai have MTR stations, shopping centres and plenty of places to eat after a hike. Wong Tai Sin Temple is close to the Kowloon side of the park, and Sha Tin, with the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, lies to the north. Muslim travellers will find Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui a short MTR ride away.

Lion Rock Country Park & what’s nearby

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Ornate red and gold entrance archway of Wong Tai Sin Temple under a blue sky, with a tower block behind

Religious site

Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon · 1.4 km away

Lion Rock Country Park in pictures

Columnar volcanic rock cliffs below a green-topped headland, with a pale rock stack and blue sea behind

Nature

Sai Kung, New Territories

Sai Kung and the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark

Towering hexagonal rock columns formed by a supervolcano about 140 million years ago, seen at High Island Reservoir's East Dam in the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region of the geopark.

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.

Country Parks - Lion Rock — Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Lion Rock Country Park — Hong Kong Tourism Board
Lion Rock — Wikipedia

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