Unesco Global Geopark, Hong Kong

As we continue to live under COVID restrictions here in Hong Kong, our usual travels are unthinkable and impossible to plan. Instead, we’ve been focused on using every weekend we have available to explore Hong Kong’s many natural wonders. Over the past few weeks, we explored Sharp Peak and MacLehose Trail Stages 4 and 5.

Unesco Global Geopark Hong Kong
GFX 50R 40.3mm ISO-100 5sec f/8
Unesco Global Geopark Hong Kong
GFX 50R 64mm ISO-100 1/210sec f/11

For this post, we will go visit the Unesco Global Geopark near the High Island Reservoir. The Geopark is made up of stunning rock formations that came from volcanic activity. You can read about how these amazing rock formations came to be at the Geopark’s website. There are a number of different approaches you can take to reach this spot. You can go along the MacLehose Trail Stage 1, or you can take a taxi straight to the reservoir.

Unesco Global Geopark Hong Kong
GFX 50R 33.8mm ISO-125 1/400sec f/8
Unesco Global Geopark Hong Kong
GFX 50R 32mm ISO-320 1/500sec f/10

We chose to go straight to the reservoir because we wanted to hike up to a specific spot that has the best view of the rock formations. This hike is pretty challenging and quite dangerous. Indeed, the weekend before we went, a 42 year old hiker lost her life after losing her footing on the steep hillside. If you decide to hike up the mountain and take the same image we did, please know that there are absolutely no safety measures in place and the location where we setup the tripods is at the cliff’s edge where any mistakes will be fatal. The wind up there certainly didn’t help!

Unesco Global Geopark Hong Kong
GFX 50R 40.3mm ISO-160 1/500sec f/8
Unesco Global Geopark Hong Kong
GFX 50R 39.6mm ISO-100 1/140sec f/11

To be frank, I took a few images until I got one that was close enough and then retreated back to the stable ground far away from the cliff’s edge. The height, wind, and clear visibility of the potential drop were giving me butterflies in my stomach. My dog is much braver than I, but having her there didn’t help with the anxiety. I hope that you enjoy these images of this beautiful place; it’s again hard to believe that this scenery is only an hour and a half away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.

Unesco Global Geopark Hong Kong
GFX 50R 32mm ISO-100 1/1100sec f/4
Unesco Global Geopark Hong Kong
GFX 50R 44mm ISO-160 1/400sec f/8

6 thoughts on “Unesco Global Geopark, Hong Kong”

  1. I had no idea rock formations such as those in the first photo existed in that area! Looks like some potential for good snorkeling/diving as well? Each of these posts of your inches Hong Kong further up the must-visit list.

    1. Hi Yarko, Hong Kong continues to amaze me with its diversity within an hour or two from the big city. Even without the nature, Hong Kong should be a must-visit for anyone’s list. It’s just an amazing city! I’ve heard that Hong Kong is not that great for snorkelling and diving with many locals going to the Philippines or Thailand instead.

    1. Hello Jean-Pierre, it’s always nice to read your comments. Hope you are keeping well. I actually did bring Arya which not only raised my anxiety, but I think her’s too! She’s pretty brave, but it was clear the wind and the drop-off were scaring her because she would sit on my feet and brace herself using my legs when the winds got really strong.

      Here she is with my partner: Arya Image. When we took the images of the rock formation, we went onto that slim ridge on the left and went about 3/4 of the way along it. The rock formation is actually to the left of that ridge, and the best spot is the part with the sheer cliff.

      Please be safe and hope to hear from you soon.

  2. Lovely pictures — and what resolution! I live in Orkney and we have deadly clifftops and gale force winds too that cost a life or two a year. I haven’t heard of a photographer going over though. It’s usually tourists. I’ve been reading your writings recently. With pleasure. I particularly liked your description of the rescue of a Sri Lanka shot. (I’m excited today, though, as I’ve just been emailed that my X-T4 has been posted to me.)

    1. Thanks David, the 50R does indeed still surprise me with the detail it can capture even after using it for 1.5 years. These images are all taken with a zoom too, the MF (GF32-64) version of the famous brick (XF16-55). Congratulations on the X-T4! It’s the perfect all-around camera. Thanks again for the kind words. I wish you good health and safety in this current environment, and hope that you get to go out and enjoy your new camera soon.

Leave a Reply to fcracerCancel reply