Itinerary · Hong Kong
Dragon's Back Hike and Man Mo Temple: A Hong Kong Day
Hike the Dragon's Back ridge on southeast Hong Kong Island in the morning, then see Man Mo Temple and Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan, with typhoon tips.
Published
The idea: a sea-view ridge and an old temple
Hong Kong packs skyscrapers, street markets, dim sum halls and mountain trails tightly together. This day focuses on nature and old Hong Kong: in the morning, the Dragon's Back hike along a ridge with sea views in the southeast of Hong Kong Island; in the afternoon, Man Mo Temple and the antique shops of Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan.
The Dragon's Back is best hiked in the morning. If you need the standard plan with the Peak, the Star Ferry and Lantau, read the 3-day post below first, then swap one of its days for this one.
Morning: the Dragon's Back hike (2-3 hours)
The Dragon's Back is a popular ridge trail with sea views in the southeast of Hong Kong Island. It takes 2-3 hours, and you can finish at Big Wave Bay beach. Hiking in the morning leaves the afternoon free for Sheung Wan.
The AFCD's official hiking site gives the route as 4.8 km, about 2.5 hours, rated 3 stars (strenuous). Get off at the To Tei Wan bus stop on Shek O Road, follow the Hong Kong Trail signs uphill, then head down towards Tai Tam Gap and leave from the Cape Collinson stop. Bus 9 and the Shau Kei Wan–Shek O public light bus serve both stops (checked 13 October 2026). Check trail conditions and any closures in official information before you set out, and if a typhoon warning is up, skip the hike and change your plan.
Lunch and getting back: dim sum in town
After the hike, head back into town for lunch. Dim sum, with har gow, siu mai and char siu bao served with tea, is a morning and lunchtime ritual at about HK$100-200 per person. For something lighter, a cha chaan teng (local diner) serves milk tea, pineapple buns and Hong Kong-style French toast for about HK$50-90 a meal.
For the trip from Big Wave Bay to Sheung Wan, check official transport information. In the city, the MTR reaches nearly every sight, and the double-decker trams (Ding Ding) on Hong Kong Island's north shore are slow but cheap and fun for sightseeing (pay when you get off). Taxis are fairly priced, with red taxis serving the urban area; show your destination in Chinese or English. An Octopus card works on the MTR, buses, trams and ferries.
Afternoon: Man Mo Temple and Hollywood Road
Man Mo Temple is an old Taoist temple with spiral incense coils hanging from the ceiling, and it is free to enter. Pair it with the antique shops on Hollywood Road nearby. Check official information for opening hours.
Central and Sheung Wan mix skyscrapers with old lanes, bars and restaurants. After the temple and the antique shops, wander the lanes slowly and take in old streets standing right next to towers. If you get hungry, buy a warm egg tart from a bakery, about HK$10-15 each.
Evening: wonton noodles, roast goose and maybe the Star Ferry
End the day with Hong Kong comfort food. Wonton noodles, springy shrimp wontons and thin noodles in clear broth, cost about HK$40-70 a bowl, and crispy roast goose with sweet char siu over rice is about HK$60-120 a plate. Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge, so extra tipping is not expected.
If you still have energy, cross the harbour on the century-old Star Ferry. It runs between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central or Wan Chai for very little money and is even better at night. On the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, the Symphony of Lights show runs nightly around 8 pm.
When to hike: heat and typhoon season
October-December is clear and pleasant, the best time to visit; March-April is also good but getting humid. May-September is hot, humid and typhoon season, when storm warnings can halt transport and shops. Because this day means a long walk on a sea-view ridge, we suggest fitting it into October-December. Chinese New Year and Golden Week holidays are very crowded.
When Typhoon Signal No. 8 or higher is raised, buses and ferries generally stop, the MTR runs a limited service and many shops close, so watch the forecast in summer. For heat and safety advice on the trail, check official information. Indoor air conditioning is very strong even in summer, so carry a light layer.
The figures below are 1991–2020 normals for Hong Kong (WMO city data) from the WMO World Weather Information Service — Hong Kong Observatory, rounded (average high and low, monthly rainfall).
- October: high about 28°C, low about 24°C, rainfall about 120 mm
- November: high about 25°C, low about 20°C, rainfall about 39 mm
- December: high about 20°C, low about 16°C, rainfall about 29 mm
- For comparison, July: high about 32°C, low about 27°C, rainfall about 386 mm
Budget, where to stay and further reading
A daily budget per person is about HK$500-700 with a guesthouse, cha chaan teng and the MTR, about HK$1,200-1,600 with a 4-star hotel, dim sum and restaurants, and about HK$3,000+ with a 5-star hotel and fine dining. Man Mo Temple is free, so add up the food prices above to estimate the day's meals.
For this day, Central and Sheung Wan, with skyscrapers mixed with old lanes, is a possible base, but hotels there are expensive. Tsim Sha Tsui suits a first visit with easy transport, and Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei are better value. Buy and top up an Octopus card at the airport or MTR stations, and keep some cash for small stalls. Check official sources for entry requirements before you go.
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FAQ
How long does the Dragon's Back take?
About 2.5 hours for 4.8 km, according to the official hiking site. It starts at the To Tei Wan bus stop on Shek O Road, served by bus 9 and the Shau Kei Wan–Shek O public light bus, and you can also finish at Big Wave Bay beach. Check current trail conditions in official information before you go.
Can I hike it in summer?
May-September is hot, humid and typhoon season. With Typhoon Signal No. 8 or higher, buses and ferries generally stop, so watch the forecast. October-December is the best time.
Is there an entrance fee at Man Mo Temple?
No, it is free. It is an old Taoist temple with spiral incense coils hanging from the ceiling, best paired with the antique shops on Hollywood Road.
How does this fit with a standard itinerary?
In the standard 3-day plan, Man Mo Temple is on the morning of Day 1 and the Dragon's Back on the morning of Day 3. Use the 3-day post as your base and swap one day for this plan.
Related reading
ⓘ Photo credits
- Victoria Harbour skyline from Victoria Peak · Base64 , retouched by CarolSpears / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1 · そらみみ / CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tian Tan Buddha, Lantau · Wilfredor / CC BY-SA 3.0