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Sports and Recreation
Beaches
Deep Water Bay/Repulse Bay Beach on the residential south side of Hong Kong Island is quiet on weekdays and offers facilities such as refreshment kiosks, toilets and a lifeguard service from April to October. Also on the south side are Repulse Bay Beach and Stanley Main Beach.
South Bay Beach, near Repulse Bay, is one of Hong Kong Island's best and most secluded spots for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing. A short distance down South Bay Road, it's just out-of-the-way enough to discourage crowds. Facilities are good, with a food kiosk, changing rooms, toilets, umbrellas for rent and lifeguards on duty. A good choice for weekdays as you may have the beach virtually to yourself. Easily accessible by taxi from Deep Water bay, or you can walk from Repulse Bay down South Bay Road.
Beaches on Outlying Islands
Lo So Shing Beach on Lamma Island is perhaps the best beach on the island and the one that's closest to the second-largest village, Sok Kwu Wan. A cosy strip of sand with a row of shade trees at the back, it provides complete facilities. After a day of sun and surf, enjoy a seafood meal at one of the many restaurants in Sok Kwu Wan. Take a ferry from outlying islands ferry pier No. 5 in Central to Sok Kwu Wan(about 35 minutes). Once ashore, follow signs for the 30-minute walk to the beach.
Lantau Island has some very good beaches. Two of the best, in close proximity to one another, are Pui O Beach and Cheung Sha Upper Beach on the southern coast of the island. Along this 3.2-kilometre stretch of sand you'll find changing facilities, toilets, refreshment kiosks and accommodation. Bicycles for hire and beach campsites are also available. Take a ferry from the outlying islands ferry pier No. 7 in Central to Mui Wo/Silvermine Bay (35 to 50 minute ride). To Pui O, take No.7 bus; to Cheung Sha take No.4 bus from Mui Wo.
Surfing in the New Territories
If you want to find Hong Kong's best surf and a stunning stretch of wild beach surrounded by glorious hills, make the trek to Dai Long Wan Beach in Sai Kung Country Park. There are actually three beaches connected by walking trails. This is a favorite spot for the city's growing surfing community. There are no lifeguards or any accommodation other than camping facilities, but you will find restaurants in the area. MTR: Choi Hung Station. Take No.1A minibus to Sai Kung, then No.94 bus bound for Wong Shek Pier. Get off at the Sai Kung Country Park visitor's centre at Pak Tam Chung and follow the signs to the beach. It takes about three hours to get there, so pack light.
Cycling
Cycling enthusiasts will find the Tolo Harbour Cycling Track, which runs from Sha Tin to Tai Po, safe, easy and full of pleasant scenery (bikes can be rented near KCR stations).
Golf
The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course (852) 2791-3388, which is inexpensive, boasts a stunning island location and was designed by Gary Player. Other courses are located at Discovery Bay (852) 2987-7273, Deep Water Bay (852) 2812-7070, Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club (852) 2719-1595, and The Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling (852) 2670-1211. Most venues are open to visitors on weekdays only. The Hong Kong Open Golf Championship draws top players in November/December for those interested in viewing this sport rather than playing, and makes for some exciting competition.
Helicopter Tours
A spectacular and exclusive way to see the sights. They can give you an impressive bird's eye view of most of Hong Kong. You can fly around the harbour and look down upon the skyscrapers of Central, cruise along beautiful bays and beaches and cross over to the magnificent Outlying Islands, and view the rugged east coast and traditional farmlands of the New Territories.
Horse Racing
Horse racing is the only legal form of gambling. Betting on horse racing is the number one recreational pastime within Hong Kong. The Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club organizes races on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at one of two sites: Happy Valley or at Shatin.
The minimum bet is HK$10, and purses often reach the millions. For information, call The Hong Kong Jockey Club hotline: 1817
Spectator Sports
Hong Kong hosts exciting sporting events that now enjoy an international following. The Dragon Boat Festival Races held in June/July originate from a traditional Chinese celebration. The fast-paced Hong Kong Sevens (rugby) tournament in March is the biggest sporting spectacle of the year. However, the most popular spectator sport among locals is horseracing - from September to June on Wednesday nights and weekends, thousands of people place their bets. The minimum bet is HK$10, and purses often reach the millions. For information, call The Hong Kong Jockey Club hotline: 1817.
Tai Chi is an ancient martial art with numerous benefits for the body and mind. Whether you want to participate or just observe, the best places to go would be Kowloon Park and Victoria Park at Causeway Bay in the early morning or late afternoon.
Visit this website for further information about martial arts in Hong Kong.
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