6 ways to get back to nature and find calm in busy Hong Kong

Finding a moment of calm in Hong Kong’s concrete jungle is no easy feat. Even a hike along the Dragon’s Back can feel crowded. But with a little planning, you’ll find there are plenty of opportunities to reconnect with nature and indulge in new experiences. Across the city, various communities and teachers are working to bring people closer to healing through nature. Here are six practices and places to help you unwind.

Just a short walk from the Mui Wo pier on Lantau Island, The Hideout (thehideout.hk) is a lakeside haven where you can enjoy a coffee or join regular movement and sound-healing classes in the fresh air. For something more unusual, try the “Coffee Farm to Cup” workshop, which guides you through the bean-to-cup process, or tap into your creative side with the lakeside Art Escape sessions. Whether you’re here for relaxation or creative expression, The Hideout offers a welcome reprieve from the city.

As a forest-therapy guide certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, yoga teacher and sound-healing practitioner, Janet Fong (instagram.com/the balancedjungle) is an expert in helping people foster deeper relationships with nature. Her forest-bathing sessions are a condensed version of the association’s two-and-a-half to three-hour structured design, offering guided programmes designed to connect guests with the natural world. Participants are encouraged to awaken their senses, slow down and get in tune with nature’s rhythms, ultimately experiencing its profound healing power. Join one of her regular group sessions or book a private experience tailored to your needs.