Going on a hiking expedition is always an exciting adventure to look forward to. You get to temporarily disconnect from the overwhelmingly hectic lifestyle, explore the best of nature, and of course, burn all the undesirable calories you have gained from the holidays!

Few things in life are more liberating than reconnecting with Mother Nature.

From Hong Kong’s best urban hiking trail Dragon’s Back to Taiwan’s highest point Yushan National Park, here is our Guide to the 8 Best Hikes in Asia for Every Adventurous Traveller Out There.

#1 DRAGON’S BACK, HONG KONG

Are you looking for an easy hike with spectacular views?

Located in the outskirts of metropolis Hong Kong, Dragon’s Back boasts breathtaking panoramic backdrops of tall skyscrapers, coastal shores and its surrounding mountainous region. The best part is you can conquer Dragon’s Back within an hour if you embark on the shortcut that we have taken.

Source: Destination Chiangmai

#2 DOI INTHANON, THAILAND

Situated in the Chom Tong District of Chiang Mai Province, Doi Inthanon is Thailand’s tallest mountain and is also otherwise known as Doi Ang Ka or Doi Luang. The highest peak is at 2,565 metres and the majestic hilltop is home to several hundred species of flora and fauna.

Doi Inthanon is also exceptionally popular amongst avid birdwatchers and enthusiastic hikers.

Source: Jess Hay

#3 MOUNT BATUR, BALI, INDONESIA

Mount Batur – an active Balinese volcano – last erupted in year 2000 but has fallen back into a deep slumber for the past decade and a half. Rising 1,717 metres above sea level, a hike up the scenic Indonesian mountain can be completed within two hours one-way by fit climbers.

Source: Remote Islands

#4 MOUNT BROMO, EAST JAVA, INDONESIA

It takes approximately four hours to drive from Surabaya – the capital of East Java – to active Indonesian volcano Mount Bromo, but the long journey has not deterred many from hiking up the prominent volcanic mountain. Needless to say, the scenery is incredibly beautiful.

Source: Chuck Jonkey

#5 MOUNT KINABALU, MALAYSIA

Nestled by the lush greenery of UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinabalu Park, Mount Kinabalu is a natural attraction located just under a short 2-hour drive away from the capital of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

Standing at 4,095 metres, the towering mountain is simply unmissable.

#6 TAROKO NATIONAL PARK, TAIWAN

The 920 km² wide Taroko National Park is renowned for its iconic landmark – The Taroko Gorge.

Spanning across Hualien County, Nantou County and Taichung Municipality, it will take more than a day to fully explore Taroko National Park. The spectacular marble geological features were formed since 200 million years ago and are still morphing at a gradual rate.

#7 YUSHAN NATIONAL PARK, TAIWAN

Yushan National Park – the tallest point in Taiwan – is also the highest peak in Northeast Asia. With an altitude of 3,952 meters, the jaw-dropping scenery will have everyone pinching themselves. We were literally walking in the clouds and were ecstatic about how surreal it felt!

Source: Lori and John Skip Town

#8 100 WATERFALLS, LAOS

Laos’ 100 Waterfalls is a gem that one should visit with a guided tour. This is due to the fact that a couple of unexploded bombs from the Vietnam War remain at large in unchartered territories. Besides this imminent danger, the gorgeous site itself is worth a special trip.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Are you looking for an easy hike with spectacular views? Look no further. Located in the outskirts of metropolis Hong Kong, Dragon’s Back boasts breathtaking panoramic views of tall skyscrapers, coastal shores and its surrounding mountainous region.

One can actually hike up and down Dragon’s Back within 90 minutes. Read on more to find out the nitty gritty details on where you should start, how to get to the starting point and our personal tips. The beginner-friendly hike makes an excellent alternative for those who wish to admire Hong Kong’s scenery without the crowds.

The starting point of Dragon’s Back is not too far away from the CBD and provides a great sanctuary for those who wish to disconnect temporarily.

Most visitors have a misconception that the hike on Dragon’s Back would take at least half a day. But that is not true at all! You do not have to complete the entire Hong Kong trail (which would take you a whopping six hours).

GETTING TO THE STARTING POINT

For the quickest way of getting to Dragon’s Back starting point, one can simply grab a cab from Chai Wan MTR Station Exit C’s taxi stand.

Tell the cab driver to drive you up to To Tei Wan – a wooden signboard and a framed map will indicate that you are at the starting point of Dragon’s Back hiking trail. The taxi fare should cost around HKD 50 and takes about 10 minutes.

If you are taking public transport, board bus number 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR Station’s Exit A3. Sit on the upper deck of the bus and enjoy a scenic but bumpy 25-minute bus ride.

You can pay the bus fare with your Octopus card – it costs only about HKD 3.90 for a one-way trip. Remember to press the bell and alight at To Tei Wan bus stop. Depending on the day and time, the frequency of buses vary from every 7 to 30 minutes.

THE HIKE AND ITS DURATION

The one-way hike up Dragon’s Back would take you about an hour. However, it took us around two hours as we stopped from time to time to take pictures. There are many gorgeous vantage points throughout the trail so do factor it into your schedule if you know that you will be needing water breaks and/or taking heaps of pictures.

The climb is relatively easy but one would have to be cladded in sports shoes as there are unpaved and uneven pathways. Climbing downhill is way easier, hence taking you only about 30 minutes.

WHAT YOU SHOULD PREPARE

The sweltering heat and humidity might get unbearable, especially during summertime. We suggest you bring along a small bottle of water to quench your thirst whilst hiking. A face towel would also be handy as you are bound to be perspiring a lot. Do also slather on sunblock lotion to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays!

As mentioned earlier on, it is essential to wear sports shoes for a safe hike. Avoid wearing heels, flip-flops and other inappropriate footwear at all costs. Also, do monitor the weather forecasts before making your way up!

If you are sick of the glitzy skyscrapers in Hong Kong, head to Sai Kung for a refreshing change of environment. Here is our guide on what to do at Sai Kung in a day. Instructions on how to get to Sai Kung Waterfront, Sai Wan Beach and Sheung Luk Streams are included in this guide too.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.