wa shan yo

Wa Shan Hike: An Easy, Super Scenic Trail Right Beside the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Border

By 
Kamal Mirwani
Published 
September 08, 2025
Type: Nature/Wildlife
Type: Mountain Views
Type: Historical/Cultural
Type: City Views
Difficulty: Easy
District: New Territories

Contents

Essential Wa Shan Hike Details

  • District: New Territories
  • Duration: 2 hours at a gentle pace, including the walk to the start point from Sheung Shui MTR Station
  • Distance: 7.7km
  • Highest Elevation: 110ish meters
  • Difficulty: 1.5/5
  • Facilities: None. Bring water and snacks if you need. You can stock up at Sheung Shui MTR station before beginning the hike

Why Hike Wa Shan

Wa Shan is often called Hong Kong's Little Great Wall because of how the trail meanders over the mountains
Wa Shan is often called Hong Kong's Little Great Wall because of how the trail meanders over the mountains
It's a spectacular blend of Hong Kong greenery and Shen Zhen's cyberpunk cityscape
It's a spectacular blend of Hong Kong greenery and Shen Zhen's cyberpunk cityscape
It's not a touristic trail, so you're more likely to see uncles playing cards together than Instantgrammers doing their thing
It's not a touristic trail, so you're more likely to see uncles playing cards together than Instantgrammers doing their thing
This veritable river of containers outside the China border is a sight I've never seen anywhere else in Hong Kong
This veritable river of containers outside the China border is a sight I've never seen anywhere else in Hong Kong
There's also a PLA shooting range below. Do not enter this area unless you plan on getting shot
There's also a PLA shooting range below. Do not enter this area unless you plan on getting shot
I've not encountered many hikes in Hong Kong that are so low-effort with high rewards when it comes to views
I've not encountered many hikes in Hong Kong that are so low-effort with high rewards when it comes to views

In terms of beginner trails, Wa Shan is one of the best in Hong Kong. It’s rather far out, right on the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, to be exact. Much of the hike features vistas that allow you not just a glimpse, but a full-on close-up of the buildings that make up part of the Shenzhen skyline.

As one of Hong Kong’s more unique outdoor adventures, Wa Shan also borders the San Wai Firing Range, which is where the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conduct shooting drills. You can actually hear shots firing if a practice session is on, but don’t worry because unless you go down into the firing range (which you ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT DO), you’ll be just fine.

The trail is a super simple concrete path that cuts a meandering swathe through six undulating hills, each of which pose only a minor challenge, even for beginner hikers. Some people refer to this trail as the “mini great wall” of Hong Kong. However, this is a stretch to say the least.

There are no technical sections on the way, and there are even chairs, outdoor gym equipment, and a whole bunch more stuff to make the hike not just bearable, but actually also a great spot for a picnic or a cup of tea.

My favorite aspect of the trail, though, is how on one side of Wa Shan, you have verdant green space, while on the other is the sprawling concrete cityscape of Shenzhen.

I highly recommend this one for just about anyone out there, even if you’re just starting your hiking journey.

Google Route Map and GPX File

Wa Shan Hike GPX File

*Click the box icon in the top right of the map below to load the blue route directly into your own Google Maps. You can then see your location relative to the trail in real time!

How to Get There

Take the MTR to Sheung Shui Station and leave through Exit A3. The hiking guide begins from right outside the MTR Station.

Quick Wa Shan Hiking Guide

map

MTR Arrival

Arrive at Sheung Shui MTR Station and exit through Exit A3.

San Wan Road and San Fung Avenue

Turn left and follow San Wan Road. Cross the street and head up San Fung Avenue.

Pedestrian Subway

Enter the pedestrian subway at Jockey Club Road. After descending the stairs, take a right and exit through the Sheung Shui Wai exit using the stairs.

Follow the Jockey Club Road and Man Kam Road

Walk along Jockey Club Road and cross the street where it becomes Man Kam Road. Continue on Man Kam Road for a short distance.

Trail Start

At the traffic light with colorful signs, you will find the start of the Wa Shan hiking trail.

Trail Fork

About 5 minutes into the hike, you’ll encounter a fork. Take the left fork marked by two bicycle barriers. Follow this path all the way until the end of the hike.

Stay on Track

Do not take any detours, especially near the firing range area.

End of Hike

At the end, you'll reach a concrete road. Turn right and follow this road for 10 minutes.

Bus Stop

When you reach the intersection with Ping Che Road, turn left. You’ll see a bus stop across the road. From here, you can take the 79K bus to Fanling MTR Station or flag down the 52K green minibus, which also goes back to Fanling.

Walking From Sheung Shui MTR to the Trail Start Point

Take the MTR to Sheung Shui Station and leave through Exit A
Take the MTR to Sheung Shui Station and leave through Exit A
Leave through Exit A3, specifically
Leave through Exit A3, specifically
Go left outside Exit A3 and begin following San Wan Road
Go left outside Exit A3 and begin following San Wan Road
Cross the street and begin walking up San Fung Ave
Cross the street and begin walking up San Fung Ave
Head down San Fung Ave for a while
Head down San Fung Ave for a while
There's some pretty cool older architecture here, including this old corner building!
There's some pretty cool older architecture here, including this old corner building!
Hong Kong curved buildings
All about Hong Kong's corner buildings
The Colorful Corner Buildings of Hong Kong, and Why They're Disappearing
Cross the street again, staying on San Fung Ave
Cross the street again, staying on San Fung Ave
Go into the pedestrian subway at Jockey Club Road
Go into the pedestrian subway at Jockey Club Road
Go right after climbing down the stairs
Go right after climbing down the stairs
Take the Sheung Shui Wai exit
Take the Sheung Shui Wai exit
Take the stairs up rather than the sloping path on the left
Take the stairs up rather than the sloping path on the left
Follow Jockey Club Road
Follow Jockey Club Road
Cross the street. Jockey Club Road turns into Man Kam Road here
Cross the street. Jockey Club Road turns into Man Kam Road here
Man Kam Road continues for a little while longer
Man Kam Road continues for a little while longer
When you see a traffic light and these colorful signs, you're at the start of the trail
When you see a traffic light and these colorful signs, you're at the start of the trail

It's about 2 kilometers (30 mins) to get to the trail start point from Sheung Shui MTR Station at a very gentle walking pace.

From Sheung Shui MTR Station, exit through Exit A3 and turn left onto San Wan Road. Cross the street and walk up San Fung Avenue, continuing straight while enjoying some older local architecture. Enter the pedestrian subway at Jockey Club Road, then take a right after descending the stairs and use the Sheung Shui Wai exit. Take the stairs up and follow Jockey Club Road as it turns into Man Kam Road. Continue walking until you reach a traffic light with colorful signs marking the start of the Wa Shan hiking trail.

Take the Correct Fork in the Trail

These signs mark the start of the trail
These signs mark the start of the trail
Follow the concrete road inward
Follow the concrete road inward
Initially, you'll walk past a few businesses
Initially, you'll walk past a few businesses
After passing by some buildings, you'll walk through a lot more greenery
After passing by some buildings, you'll walk through a lot more greenery
Take the left fork (with the bicycle barriers) about 5 mins into the trail
Take the left fork (with the bicycle barriers) about 5 mins into the trail

The main thing to note when beginning the Wa Shan trail is to follow the concrete road and take the left fork about 5 minutes in.

The correct fork will have a pair of bicycle barriers trying to stop cyclists from using the trail.

The First 45 Minutes of the Trail

Lol! Those cycling barricades were clearly pointless
Lol! Those cycling barricades were clearly pointless
The trail is concrete the whole way. Nothing technical or difficult throughout the hike
The trail is concrete the whole way. Nothing technical or difficult throughout the hike
As you gently ascend, the trees will diminish and the trail opens up
As you gently ascend, the trees will diminish and the trail opens up
You'll get your first open views
You'll get your first open views
You'll be able to see some of the later sections of the trail from this early vantage point
You'll be able to see some of the later sections of the trail from this early vantage point
I quite like admiring this greener section of Hong Kong
I quite liked admiring this greener section of Hong Kong
And on the opposide side of all that greenery is the Shenzhen skyline. This hike truly straddles the border of Hong Kong and China for the entire distance!
And on the opposide side of all that greenery is the Shenzhen skyline. This hike truly straddles the border of Hong Kong and China for the entire distance!
You can switch your mind off since the path is so obvious and easy to follow. All you need to worry about on Wa Shan is drinking in all those owonderful views!
You can switch your mind off since the path is so obvious and easy to follow. All you need to worry about on Wa Shan is drinking in all those wonderful views!
You'll descend back into the trees after a while
You'll descend back into the trees after a while
Some local grandpas had set up camp and were playing a very intense game of cards
Some local grandpas had set up camp and were playing a very intense game of cards
A punching bag was situated nearby, likely for the loser of the game to blow off some steam
A punching bag was situated nearby, likely for the loser of the game to blow off some steam
After the shaded area, you'll ascend slightly
After the shaded area, you'll ascend slightly
And you'll be greeted with this absolute banger of a view!
And you'll be greeted with this absolute banger of a view!
The path meandering through the mountains is the reason this is referred to as Hong Kong's Little Great Wall
The path meandering through the mountains is the reason this is referred to as Hong Kong's Little Great Wall
You can see how several construction projects in the area are slowly eating away at the surrounding nature
You can see how several construction projects in the area are slowly eating away at the surrounding nature
This little climb was one of my favorites because of how close to Shenzhen you are
This little climb was one of my favorites because of how close to Shenzhen you are
After the little climb, you'll head back down again
After the little climb, you'll head back down again
There are even ropes to help with the descent
There are even ropes to help with the descent
You'll then be faced with another short climb
You'll then be faced with another short climb
Near the top of the climb, you'll see this flagpole. That pretty much signifies the half way point of the trail (not including the walk to the start)
Near the top of the climb, you'll see this flagpole. That pretty much signifies the half way point of the trail (not including the walk to the start)

This initial 45-minute section of hiking is a mixture of forested areas, open vistas, and gentle climbs.

You'll immediately be able to see the contrast between this more rural section of Hong Kong, and the cyberpunk glass buildings of Shenzhen in the not-so-distant distance.

Given how easy the trail is to follow, as long as you stay on it and don't randomly veer off into the trees, you'll find it impossible to get lost.

Much of the trail has also been commandeered by locals for recreational use. You'll find benches, exercise equipment, and even tables for an impromptu game of cards!

The Final 45 Minutes of the Trail

Thusly begins the next 45-minutes of hiking
Thusly begins the next 45-minutes of hiking
On the left is a veritable river of containers parked right outside of Shenzhen
On the left is a veritable river of containers parked right outside of Shenzhen
On the right is the San Wai Firing Range, used by the People's Liberation Army for training. DO NOT go down there
On the right is the San Wai Firing Range, used by the People's Liberation Army for training. DO NOT go down there
Some idiot tagged this rock. The basic translation is Looking north to China, wishing my fellow hikers good health
Some idiot tagged this rock. The basic translation is Looking north to China, wishing my fellow hikers good health
Continue along the trail
Continue along the trail
Don't go past this sign
Don't go past this sign
This next section undulates for a while and has some wicked views
This next section undulates for a while and has some wicked views
I'll share the aforementioned wicked views in a second. But how cute is this farm?!
I'll share the aforementioned wicked views in a second. But how cute is this farm?!
It even has a little well
It even has a little well
This is the view just past the farm. Super epic!
This is the view just past the farm. Super epic!
The next portion of hiking is more shaded and has fewer open views
The next portion of hiking is more shaded and has fewer open views
It was actually nice to have some respite from the sun on such a roasty day
It was actually nice to have some respite from the sun on such a roasty day
This wonderful butterfly kept me company for a while
This wonderful butterfly kept me company for a while
It's a blurry shot, but this large bird was doing a happy sun dance!
It's a blurry shot, but this large bird was doing a happy sun dance!
And then the views are back!
And then the views are back!
The dramatic scenery all around never got boring
The dramatic scenery all around never got boring
Near the end of the hike, you'll find a tiny trigonometrical station
Near the end of the hike, you'll find a tiny trigonometrical station
There's another insane view waiting just beyond
There's another insane view waiting just beyond
On the left, you'll have views of Shenzhen
On the left, you'll have views of Shenzhen
And on the right, there are more rural Hong Kong views
And on the right, there are more rural Hong Kong views
The final section of trail descends gently
The final section of trail descends gently
And deposits you at a little road
And deposits you at a little road

The last 45 minutes of the trail is basically a series of incredible views interspersed with shaded sections.'

Again, just keep following the concrete road, and do not go past any of the blue military area signs!

The shaded sections are great for getting respite from the roasty sun, and many cute animals also agreed. I saw loads of vibrant butterflies, a lizard that I was too slow to photograph, and even a large bird doing a happy sun dance!

Getting to the Bus Stop

At the end of the hike is a nameless road. Turn right and follow it
At the end of the hike is a nameless road. Turn right and follow it
Don't take any detours. Just stay on it and be careful of oncoming traffic
Don't take any detours. Just stay on it and be careful of oncoming traffic
Go left where the road splits here
Go left where the road splits here
Then follow the road by the blue signs (it's just past the left fork)
Then follow the road by the blue signs (it's just past the left fork)
About 10 minutes after the end of the hiking trail, you'll arrive at Ping Che Road
About 10 minutes after the end of the hiking trail, you'll arrive at Ping Che Road
Cross Ping Che Road and go left
Cross Ping Che Road and go left
A minute later, you'll arrive at the bus stop
A minute later, you'll arrive at the bus stop

From the end of the trail, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to Ping Che Road, where the bus stop is.

You'll want to follow the nameless road after turning right after leaving the trail. When the road forks, take a left and then head down the road just past the blue signs.

When you reach Ping Che Road, cross the street and go left until you reach the bus stop.

Getting Back

From the bus stop, you can take the 79K bus to Fanling MTR Station or flag down the 52K green minibus, which also goes back to Fanling.