Nathan N.
Yelp
I can't speak to camping here, though from what I have observed, it's really a nice place to camp. If you've got the supplies for it, then you'll have an awesome time here. Every time I've visited, there were always groups of people camping overnight. Maybe one day, when I come back to Hong Kong, I'll go camping here with my friends.
I learned about this beach from previous coworkers, who probably heard of this beach from someone else. My typical journey to Long Ke Wan involved me traveling from the Education University to University MTR Station, then taking a New Territories taxi cab all the way to East Dam. This taxi ride will take about an hour, but it's still much faster than attempting to bus there (and eventually having to late take another streamlined mode of transportation, i.e., a taxi or a motor boat). Once you arrive to East Dam (after what is probably the most terrifying car ride you will ever experience, as you go up a mountainside road that is oftentimes wide enough for only one car), be prepared to hike for fifteen minutes down to get to the beach. The real tricky hike is the one back up to get home (especially tricky if you leave after sunset). On that note, remember to bring bug spray, sunscreen, and drinking water. Phone service here is spotty at best, at least mine was.
When approaching the beach, you will notice how white the sand is, how blue and clear the water is, and just how awesome it is to be at a mountainside beach, relatively secluded from the rest of Hong Kong. You are in fact in a country park, a place meant to preserve pristine natural beauty. If you're lucky/privileged to go when there aren't as many people, it's paradise. If you go on a weekend, don't be surprised if you see party junk boats in the water, crowding it up and blasting their music: water and noise pollution. Even then with the trash that gets swept to shore, I have had relatively little to complain about at this beach. Another mammalian species to take note of would be the cattle that roam freely in the area. They will smell your food and be drawn to it on the beach, so just be prepared in case your belongings get surprise frisked by bovine. Also, plenty of potential for cow feces on your hike to the beach.
What's truly breathtaking is being able to watch sunset from the beach, as the sky turns pink and reflects into the water. My first sunset here was by accident, when a couple of my friends and I wanted to try to swim to some mountainside sea caves. I was on an inner tube that saved me from drowning in the open ocean. It was one of the most terrifying and nerve wracking moments of my life, being constantly at risk of my inner tube deflating and ending me and my career. Thankfully, it survived the whole trip to and from the cave, so I survived as well. I arrived back to shore when the sun was dipping below the horizon, allowing the sky to take on a pastel pink hue. It felt like the perfect end to the day.
Going up the mountain at night is another story however. Expect to take breaks often, especially if you're in a group. Going up a mountain is never forgiving, so take your time and be safe.
Taxis are usually opportunistically waiting at the other end of the hike, back at East Dam, to pick up travelers looking to go back to Sai Kung Town or wherever else they want to go. While we were waiting at the East Dam taxi stand in the dark, we observed a troupe of more elderly Hongkongers exiting their cab, seemingly coming to camp/hike at Long Ke Wan at night. One particular gentleman let rip one of the longest and loudest farts I had ever witnessed. Right in front of us. Old people just don't need to care anymore.
