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Header image courtesy of West Kowloon Cultural District (via Facebook)
It’s starting to get a bit too hot and stuffy for hiking comfortably, but the nice weather is nevertheless luring us outdoors. Instead of hanging out on restaurant terraces for boozy brunches, why not go on a picnic for a change? There are plenty of spots around that are great for spreading out a checkered blanket and lying back with some nibbles and a good book. Here are some of Hong Kong’s best picnic spots; catch you outside over the weekend!
This is a great spot for a picnic because the circular lawn has pretty views and is perfect for spreading out on a blanket and lounging an afternoon away. The park also boasts basketball courts, a football pitch, and a swimming pool, so there’s plenty to keep you entertained. Otherwise, a stroll along the waterfront to walk off the picnic food is also a lovely option.
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Everybody loves this sprawling lawn overlooking the harbour. The grass is well-maintained and there is also a dog park at one end of the park. You’ll often find people doing yoga and other sports classes here, so make sure you arrive early to nab a good spot! Tamar Park is also a great place to watch the sun set over Hong Kong’s cityscape, and you’ll find a few shaded areas, too.
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A little further out, Cyberport is usually quiet even on the weekends and also has unobstructed sea views with Lantau Island in the distance. The best thing about this park is that it is one of Hong Kong’s rare dog-friendly spaces, where pooches can run around off-leash. Petting other people’s cute dogs all day is a form of self-care—the only thing you’d have to worry about is a furry thief nicking stuff from your picnic basket! Cyberport also has a supermarket and F&B outlets so you can just stock up on food and nibbles when you get there.
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While Cyberport is nowhere near an MTR station, there is a wide range of buses and minibuses that go there, especially from Central and Western District. If you choose to drive, there’s a car park conveniently at Cyberport.
There’s always going to be tourist crowds up on the Peak, but if you head away from the mall area, you’ll find some peace and quiet at Victoria Peak Garden. This area was originally the grounds belonging to Mountain Lodge, summer residence to the governor. While the building has long since been demolished, the green garden still remains and is a great place to kick back and enjoy the views.
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Want to hang out in the southside but don’t want to deal with hoards of people fighting for space? Turtle Cove is your answer. It’s not a huge beach, but because of its comparatively secluded location, you should always have enough space to spread your picnic gear out. There are also public toilets, changing rooms, barbecue pits, and a little kiosk available for your convenience.
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When the place isn’t packed with revellers at a festival, Nursery Park and the adjoining waterfront promenade offers top-notch harbour views. The area is also covered with green lawns, and because it’s not as easy to get to as some of the other spots on this list, there’s likely to be fewer crowds.
In case you haven’t packed enough for your picnic, increasing numbers of interesting F&B outlets are opening in West Kowloon, which are well worth checking out. You can easily stock up on foods and beverages at Elements before heading over to the Cultural District.
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As the first of its kind in Hong Kong, the CIC-Zero Carbon Park is an informative exhibition and education centre promoting smart city technology and low-carbon living. The interesting building generates its own renewable energy on-site using photovoltaic panels and biofuel made from waste cooking oil.
It has several grassed areas dotted around that are well-maintained. Because it’s within the industrial area of Kowloon Bay—which most people don’t consider when thinking of places to chill out in—you probably don’t even need to get there early to make sure you find a nice spot.
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We suppose knowing that the site used to be a former landfill is a little gross, but don’t let that put you off! Jordan Valley Park is now the largest park in the Kwun Tong district. Interestingly, it is home to a model car circuit that is internationally recognised for model car racing events. Aside from that, there is also a big playground, a bougainvillea garden, and a maze—plenty to keep you entertained on your day out.
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This venue is blessedly big, with plenty of grassy areas to spread out on, and other facilities to keep you busy, such as an area for kite flying, bowling greens, and a lookout tower that’s shaped rather like a sea snail with a spiralling path leading to its top.
The park itself is segmented by plant type, with sections dedicated to figs, roses, and herbs, for example. There’s even an insect house to explore! If you time your visit to coincide with the annual Dragon Boat Festival, this is the perfect spot to catch the Tai Po Dragon Boat Race, which is held in the sea off the park.
How to get there:
The easiest way to get there is to take the MTR to Tai Po Market Station, then hop into a cab, but buses 275R and 74F will also take you to the park.
Located on the flat expanse of roof atop the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Building, this park has a large central lawn and, best of all, great views of the cityscape on Hong Kong Island. As you’re lounging around, it’ll be interesting to muse on the fact that the area used to be the old Kai Tak International Airport. Truly a unique park that also holds a slice of Hong Kong heritage. Bonus: It’s also dog-friendly, so bring your furry buddies along!
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Catharina has recently returned to her hometown of Hong Kong after spending her formative years in Singapore and the UK. She enjoys scouring the city for under-the-radar things to do, see, and eat, and is committed to finding the perfect foundation that will withstand Hong Kong’s heat. She is also an aspiring polyglot, a firm advocate for feminist and LGBTQIA+ issues, and a huge lover of animals. You can find her belting out show-tunes in karaoke, or in bookstores adding new tomes to her ever-growing collection.
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