Drones can take the Hong Kong hiking experience to new heights

Coldplay’s recent concerts at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium sparked a wave of excitement – but for bassist Guy Berryman, the city’s allure extended beyond the stage. After the shows, he explored Hong Kong’s natural beauty, including hiking the renowned Dragon’s Back trail – reflecting the popularity of the city’s mountain-and-sea scenery among global travellers.

How can Hong Kong improve as a world-class hiking destination? One promising solution lies in deploying drones to improve trail safety and convenience, as well as offer a more immersive experience. The timing is opportune – trials for drone deliveries are under way, including medical supply drops to outlying islands.

Hong Kong boasts an abundance of internationally renowned hiking trails and natural landscapes. Compared to New York’s manicured Central Park, Hong Kong’s mountains and seas offer an extreme contrast – the convenience of switching from concrete jungle to pristine wilderness in just 10 minutes is something top cities like Tokyo and Singapore struggle to match.

Dragon’s Back, for instance, was named Asia’s best urban hike by Time magazine in 2004 and was listed among the world’s best hiking trails by CNN in 2022. National Geographic named Hong Kong’s MacLehose Trail among the world’s 20 best hikes in 2016. Snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan, who took up Hong Kong residency under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, has made no secret of his love for the running trails.

In recent years, outdoor tourism has gained popularity as more people look for a temporary escape from bustling city life. Hong Kong’s hiking trails are not just a miniature natural museum for outdoor enthusiasts but also a magnet for photography lovers.

The city’s unique blend of mountain and sea scenery is on full display from our many hiking trails – the MacLehose Trail spans Sai Kung’s spectacular coastline, the Wilson Trail traverses Kowloon’s peaks offering sweeping views of Victoria Harbour, the Hong Kong Trail winds its way through lush greenery, connecting urban and rural landscapes, and the challenging Lantau Trail scales mist-shrouded Lantau Peak.

  

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