The eternity of time often sounds unreachable—after all, we and the civilizations around us are so fleeting. But this does not mean we cannot experience the grandeur of time, because as long as you look up and gaze beyond the mundane world, that faint yet steady light may have been traveling through the darkness for tens of thousands of years. This time, we have selected ten of the best stargazing spots for our friends who are settling in Hong Kong through investment. They may be near the bustling city or slightly remote, but compared to the distances between the stars, the difference is negligible.
No. 1: Miu Ko Toi
Get off at the parking lot halfway up Tai Mo Shan Road, walk along the MacLehose Trail to between M150 and M151, turn into the small path, and walk for another 15 minutes to reach a pile of rocks next to the hill fire lookout—facing southeast, the view is open, overlooking the high-rises of Tsuen Wan and gazing at Needle Hill and Grass Hill in the distance. Once it gets dark, you can see the sky full of stars. (Note: There may be staff on duty at the lookout at night; please do not speak loudly to avoid disturbing others.)
No. 2: Cape D'Aguilar
Follow Cape D'Aguilar Road past Cape D'Aguilar Village, drive until you reach the gate of the PCCW transmitting station, get off, and follow the wire fence path to find Cape D'Aguilar Road again. Continue walking for a while to reach a fork in the road. To the left, you can reach the century-old lighthouse, and to the right are the research institute and Crab Cave. (Note: Some parts of Cape D'Aguilar are private, such as the research institute and dormitories; do not trespass or speak loudly, and do not engage in any water activities in the marine reserve.)
No. 3: Robin's Nest
Follow the military road to the transmitting tower at the summit, get off, and walk along the mountain path to reach the top. On one side, you can see the buildings of Shenzhen, and on the other, the small villages along Sha Tau Kok Road. The open view is quite charming.
No. 4: Pak Tam Chung
The Pak Tam Chung parking lot at night is an excellent stargazing spot—it is easily accessible and has 24-hour restrooms nearby, making it very convenient. Although the tall trees nearby may block some lower constellations, this is a minor issue compared to its excellent convenience.
No. 5: Tai Mei Tuk
From the Tai Mei Tuk barbecue site, cross the road to reach the western dam of Plover Cove Reservoir. The dam is vast, and in good weather, you can simply lie on the ground to enjoy the starry sky in the most comfortable position. If that is not enough, you might want to cycle to the auxiliary dam in the east, which is darker and even better for stargazing.
No. 6: Sunset Peak
After getting off at Pak Kung Au, walk up the large stone steps of the Lantau Trail for half an hour, then take the mountain path for over an hour to reach Yi Tung Shan (Lantau Mountain Camp). This is an open ridge where you can fully enjoy the starry sky. On a clear day, you can even see the shining Milky Way!
No. 7: Tai Au Mun
Turn into Tai Au Mun Road from Clear Water Bay. At the end is a parking lot. Head towards the kite-flying area, where there is a large lawn, small trees, benches, and a pavilion, making it a very convenient stargazing spot.
No. 8: High Island Reservoir
The location of High Island Reservoir is very dark. The West Dam and East Dam often gather a crowd of astrophotography enthusiasts. The breakwaters, hexagonal columns, water storage towers, and the reservoir itself are all excellent shooting locations. You don't even need to climb a mountain to see the stars filling the sky.
No. 9: Shui Hau
Deep in Shui Hau Village on the south side of Lantau Island, this is a very remote place, but there is almost no light pollution here, making it very suitable for stargazing. It is recommended to walk to the Shui Hau Village beach; the path is clear and easy to walk, and in summer, you can watch the Milky Way slowly rise. Since you will pass through a small village, please do not speak loudly. Also—beware of aggressive dogs and do not act alone.
No. 10: Ninepin Group
The Ninepin Group is located in a remote area with no public boat service, so you must rent a private boat. If you find the cost high, you might want to find a few more friends to share the expense and look out for each other. After getting off the boat, follow the rugged path to a small hilltop where there is a small Tin Hau Temple. At this point, you are surrounded by the boundless sea, which is definitely a great place to photograph the starry sky. Since there are no supplies, it is recommended to bring enough food and water. Of course, don't forget to bring a mosquito net.
Stargazing Etiquette:
Do not use bright white lights to shine around; use only small red lights to avoid affecting others' photography of the starry sky.
Speak softly to avoid disturbing others.
Do not litter to avoid polluting the countryside.
Safety Precautions:
Understand the situation of your destination before setting off and plan your itinerary and time well.
Safety first; travel in groups and look out for each other.
Wear appropriate clothing, such as non-slip shoes.
