Beneath your feet sprawls the untamed beauty of Chi Ma Wan Peninsula. It is a place where secluded bays meet towering peaks. This remote corner of Lantau Island offers majestic scenery.
Chi Ma Wan Peninsula sits within Lantau South Country Park. This park was established in 1978. It is the largest country park in Hong Kong. Hiking is the best way to explore the peninsula. There are no roads here.
The Chi Ma Wan Country Trail loops around the peninsula. It stretches for 18.5 kilometers. Even a short walk along this trail reveals Instagram-worthy views. You can see glorious bays like Chi Ma Wan. Cheung Sha Wan is also visible. As are Tai Long Wan, Yi Long Wan and Mong Tung Wan.
Desolate beaches are lapped by the South China Sea. Peculiar rock formations dot the headlands. Inland, rolling hills lead to two prominent peaks. White-bellied sea eagles often circle above.
Venturing into the jungle reveals vast tree plantations. These trees help restore hillsides damaged by fires. Early afforestation efforts used fast-growing species. Taiwan Acacia and Brisbane Box were common. Slash Pine was also planted. More recently, native species have been introduced. Chinese Hackberry and Fragrant Litsea now grow here. Camphor Trees, Reevesia, Chinese Banyan and Strawberry Trees thrive too. These woodlands harbor native flora. Tree Ginseng and sweet-scented Hong Kong Magnolia can be found. The endangered Gmelina chinensis also grows here.
Many trails in Chi Ma Wan Peninsula are seldom used. This gives you a chance to spot wildlife. You might hear the cry of a barking deer. Tree squirrels move nimbly through the trees. Snakes are also common. Burmese Pythons sometimes bask on the paths. Chinese Cobras and White-Lipped Pit Vipers can also be seen.
Traces of human activity are scarce. Chi Ma Wan Reservoir is worth exploring. It was built in 1966. The reservoir once supplied water to nearby islands. Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Hei Ling Chau once depended on it. In the 1970s, it became an irrigation reservoir. Woodlands surround the reservoir today.
Near the reservoir, you will find two now-defunct prisons. A youth offenders’ establishment is here. The Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution is also nearby. Christian Zheng Sheng College is southeast of Chi Ma Wan. This school helps rehabilitate young drug abusers.
History buffs will appreciate the restored limekilns in Yi Long Wan. These relics date back to the Sui Dynasty around 500 AD. They are now open to the public.
Hikers may spot the Sea Ranch towers above Yi Long Wan. This housing estate was developed in the late 1970s. It is only accessible by sea. Residents take a private ferry to Cheung Chau. From there, they can reach Central. The Sea Ranch has no shops or restaurants. The original clubhouse is closed.
Today, Sea Ranch is a tranquil enclave. It is home to retirees and artistic types. Its inaccessibility is part of its appeal. Chi Ma Wan Peninsula offers a unique blend of nature and history.