Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [160]
For something a little less, well, wild, head for the Tai Mei Tuk Fish Farm ( Map; 2662 6351; Tai Mei Tuk, Tai Po; weekday/weekend per hr $25/30, rods rental $10; 9am-10pm; 75K), a large artificial pond by the harbour stocked with freshwater fish.
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GOLF
Most golf courses in Hong Kong are private but do open to the public at certain times – usually weekdays only. Greens fees for visitors vary, but range from $500 for two rounds at the nine-hole Deep Water Bay Golf Club ( Map; 2812 7070; 19 Island Rd, Deep Water Bay; 6, 6A) on Hong Kong Island to $1400 at its parent club, the Hong Kong Golf Club ( Map; 2670 1211; www.hkgolfcub.org; Fan Kam Rd, Sheung Shui, New Territories; Fanling MTR), which has three 18-hole courses. Nonmembers can play on weekdays only at both clubs.
One of the most dramatic links to play in Hong Kong – for the scenery if not the par – is the 36-hole Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course ( Map; 2791 3388; www.kscgolf.com) on Kau Sai Chau, which is linked by ferry with Sai Kung town, northeast of Kowloon (see the boxed text. Greens fees for 18 holes of play by adult nonresidents range from $690 on weekdays to $1130 on the weekend. You must be accompanied by a Hong Kong ID card holder on weekends; for weekdays be sure to bring your passport and handicap card. It costs from $160 per round to rent clubs and $35 to rent golf shoes; caddies are $175 for 18 holes.
Other courses in Hong Kong:
Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club ( Map; 2335 3700; www.cwbgolf.org; 139 Tau Au Mun Rd, Clearwater Bay; greens fees $1800-2000; 91) A 27-hole course at the tip of Clearwater Bay in the New Territories.
Discovery Bay Golf Club ( Map; 2987 7273; Valley Rd, Discovery Bay, Lantau; greens fees $1400; Discovery Bay) Perched high on a hill, this 27-hole course has impressive views of the Outlying Islands. Nonmembers Monday, Tuesday and Friday only.
Shek O Golf & Country Club ( Map; 2809 4458; 5 Shek O Rd, Shek O; greens fees $300-500; 3, 309) An 18-hole course located on the southeastern edge of Hong Kong Island. Nonmembers must be accompanied by a member.
If you’re content with just teeing off (again and again), the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course has a driving range ( 2791 3341; per 30 min $35, club rental $15; 7am-8pm Mon, Wed & Thu, 11am-8pm Tue, 7am-10pm Fri-Sun). In addition it offers a variety of packages where you can practise putting, chipping and bunker shots.
For more information, contact the Hong Kong Golf Association ( 2504 8659; www.hkga.com).
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HIKING
Many visitors are surprised to learn that Hong Kong is an excellent place for hiking. Lengthy wilderness trails criss-cross the territory and its islands through striking mountain, coast and jungle trails. The four main ones are the MacLehose Trail Click here, at 100km the longest in the territory; the 78km-long Wilson Trail Click here, which runs on both sides of Victoria Harbour; the 70km-long Lantau Trail Click here; and the Hong Kong Trail Click here, which is 50km long. Hong Kong’s excellent public transport network makes it feasible to tackle these trails a section at a time.
For full details and advice on routes and suggested itineraries invest in one of the excellent hiking guides that are widely available in Hong Kong bookshops (also see the boxed text Click here. Before heading out it’s also a good idea to consult the official Hong Kong hiking website (www.hkwalkers.net) for updates on weather and the conditions of the trails (landslides can sometimes mean route closure or diversions).
Although these trails are seldom more than half a day’s walk from settlements, this is still rugged country so go prepared with plenty of water. Other useful items include trail snacks, a weatherproof