Wineshark Go Hiking - Fan Lau Country Trail 分流郊遊徑

Difficulty: 1/5

Total Distance: 2.78 km

Starting Point: Fan Lau Pier

End Point: Fan Lau Pier

Transportation:

• Drive to Tung Chung and park at Citygate North Parking, then walk to Tung Chung Bus Terminus and take KLB No. 11 to Tai O, alight at Tai O Bus Terminus, then take the boat to Fan Lau Pier
• Return by taking the boat back to Tai O and then KLB No. 11 back to Tung Chung

Arriving at Fan Lau Sai Wan (分流西灣) we turn right towards the village. There are a few old buildings which are deserted and even the small store selling drinks is not open. Continuing on for a short while we then turn left into the forest trail.

This part of the trail is well-shaded and flat so very easy to walk. There are interesting flora and fauna, including wild papaya and a type of green fruit that right now is the ripening season, with many of the fruit dropping onto the ground. We have also seen a lot of big spiders, about the size of the palm, along the trail, as a result we need to pay special attention not bumping straight into their web. For people who are afraid of spiders this trail could be quite challenging. 

Soon we reach Fan Lau Tung Wan (分流東灣). Turning right, we continue walking on the sandy beach. It is really comfortable, with the sea breeze helping to soothe away the heat of the day. Further down and near the end of the beach there is a small trail leading up, with a sign showing the way to Fan Lau Fort. 

Very soon the shading trees recede and we have to walk under the sun, but the ascend is not difficult. Looking ahead is a big rock (分流石荀) on the top of the hill. In no time we reach the rock and you can actually walk right beside it and take photos, without any danger. 

Continuing on is the Fan Lau Fort (分流炮台), which was built in Qing Dynasty. The stone barracks are still in good shape and going through an entrance we can also get a good look on the inside, which is already fully grown with vegetation.

Further down the trail there is a sign showing a detour to another famous spot - Fan Lau Stone Circle (石圓環). Going down the trail there is a fenced area, and inside is a ring of stone, arranged in an oval shape, which can be dated to late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. A truly amazing evidence that in this most south-western corner of Hong Kong it is already inhabited so many years ago. 

Returning to the main trail we see Fan Lau Sai Wan again, and knowing that we are nearing the end of the hike. Soon we can see the Tin Hau Temple, and descending the rough stone steps brings us back to the beach, finishing our journey.