With the popular image of Hong Kong being one of a bustling metropolis forested with skyscrapers, visitors to the city would be pleasantly surprised to discover the green side of Hong Kong. About 40 percent of Hong Kong is designated as country parks and special areas, where people enjoy this lesser-known side of the city, exploring the hiking trails, wetland areas, beaches and extraordinary biodiversity.
There are 24 country parks and 22 special areas dedicated to conservation and recreation in Hong Kong. More than 11 million people go hiking, picnicking, barbecuing and camping in the parks each year. With five marine parks and one marine reserve to protect and conserve local rich marine resources, you can find more than 1,000 species of fish and 84 species of stony corals.
A great number of scenic hiking trails meander through the parks, offering a great escape from busy city life. The longest of them, the MacLehose Trail, spanning 100 kilometers across mountains, valleys and beaches in the New Territories, was included in National Geographic's "World's Best Hikes: 20 Dream Trails."