Hong Kong is more than just a busy city on the edge of China. Away from the skyscrapers, you’ll find a rich green countryside which is becoming increasingly popular with rock climbers. Hong Kong’s people have started to fall in love with the sport, and now travellers are beginning to work out that they can climb there, too. There are big claims being made for Hong Kong rock climbing, with some experts citing it as Asia’s second climbing destination, after Thailand’s Krabi.
It certainly has plenty of diversity, and the ability to climb just outside the city makes it very easy to get out there. The city has several good indoor climbing and bouldering centres if you need to find your feet and brush up your skills. But rather than climbing in the city, get out and climb looking down on it!
Bouldering, sports climbing and traditional climbing are all on offer in the hills around the city. The Central Crags area is one of the most spectacular. This is a hill right in the heart of the city, with fixed ropes over granite slabs. The view back over the skyscrapers is breathtaking – and very unusual!
Outside the city, there are several good sites, including crags and cliff sites. There is some good traditional climbing on the high peaks outside Kowloon. And there is some good coastal and inland bouldering on various sites.
There is plenty of opportunity for climbers to get off the ground in Hong Kong. A Hong Kong climbing trip can be varied, challenging, and plenty of fun. Challenge your preconceptions of Hong Kong and get climbing.
