“Ginger Mountain,” they call it. Keung Shan Tau rises before us, a peak on Lantau Island’s southwestern edge. Its Chinese name is literally “Ginger Mountain”. It stands 459 meters tall. That is 1,506 feet above sea level.
Keung Shan Tau is part of the Lantau Trail Section 5. This trail leads to the summit. It is one of three peaks along this section.
Hikers consider Keung Shan one of the best trails on Lantau Island. This is due to the grand views and flexibility it offers. The Keung Shan Country Trail is named after this hill. It is often overshadowed by Lantau Peak or Sunset Peak. But Keung Shan offers much to see.
The trail passes Ling Wui Shan hill. It also offers views of Shek Pik Reservoir and Kau Ling Chung. You can even end your day in Tai O. This is a picturesque fishing village.
Keung Shan itself is made of volcanic rock. This includes porphyritic rhyolites. Nearby Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak share similar geology.
Two villages sit north of Keung Shan Tau. These are Lower Keung Shan and Upper Keung Shan. These villages fall under the New Territories Small House Policy. The Keung Shan area is a major Buddhist site. It hosts temples and gardens. Other such sites include Luk Wu and Ngong Ping.
One popular route starts on Keung Shan Road. It passes Kwun Yam Shan, then Keung Shan. It continues to Ling Wui Shan, Fan Shui Au, and Tai Hom Sham. The route then returns to Fan Shui Au. Finally it goes to Nga Ying Shan and ends in Tai O. This is a 15 km hike. It takes about 6 hours.
The Keung Shan Country Trail is about 9 kilometers. It is an intermediate hike. The total ascent is 382 meters. It takes about 4 hours.
To start this hike, take bus 23 or 11 to Sham Wat Road. The trail begins opposite the junction of Sham Wat Road and Keng Shan Road. Look for the Lantau Trail marker.
The trail initially climbs the slopes of Kwun Yam Shan. It offers views of Shek Pik Reservoir. The path then dips onto a ridge. Keung Shan looms ahead. The climb is not too difficult. The trail zig-zags upwards with stairs.
From the summit, the path descends smoothly. One junction leads to Kau Ling Chung. There, you will find a beach and the South Lantau Obelisk. This marked British territory after the Sino-British Convention of 1898.
Another junction leads to Ling Wui Shan. The climb is shorter than Keung Shan. In autumn, the hillsides are covered with silvergrass. At the summit, enjoy views of Fan Lau Tung Wan and Kau Ling Chung.
The descent from Ling Wui Shan is steep. Follow signs towards Man Cheung Po campsite. From there, follow signs to Tai O.
Near the end of the hike, you will pass Lung Tsai Ng Yuen. This old private villa has a rare Nine-turn Bridge. It stretches across a lotus pond.
Leaving Lung Tsai Ng Yuen, follow signs to Leung Uk Tsuen. The trail ends at Tai O Bus Terminus. You can enjoy the rural life there. Bus 11 will take you back to Tung Chung. Keung Shan Tau is more than just a peak. It is a journey through landscape and history.