The great nature reset

When life starts to feel overwhelming, many people are turning to nature to recalibrate. Spending time outdoors has a way of calming the mind and refreshing the body. Nature offers a kind of reset that no screen, spa, or indoor setting can provide.

Hiking, for example, offers a combination of a low-impact full body workout and the benefits of being exposed to nature. It helps build muscles and bones while improving balance and stability. Trekking through organic surroundings lowers stress hormones, enhances cognition, and improves mood.

Visiting the beach or other aquatic escapes triggers a calming “blue mind” state as we experience water through all our senses. Seeing the sea’s therapeutic blue color, getting a salty whiff, hearing the waves, tasting the saline tang in the air, and feeling its coolness against the skin – these bring a sense of tranquility and positively affect our well-being.

Repulse Bay is a crescent-shaped area known for its beautiful sandy beach.

Island hopping is a dynamic experience that lets you explore different land clusters in the same area. You can wake up in a seaside villa on one island and then hop on a boat and set off on a snorkeling adventure by lunchtime. This ever-changing itinerary ups the level of adventure and exposes you to a variety of landscapes and hidden charms.

Did you know that you can do all the activities above in Hong Kong? You can make your great nature reset come alive in its hiking trails, beach quests, and island escapes, all just a short journey from the city. Hong Kong invites you to rediscover the unique facets of its unspoiled nature.

The Maitreya Mountain hiking trail on Lantau Island is a prime option for hikers looking for a moderately difficult hike. Soak in the tranquil vibes, breathtaking views, and the rich cultural heritage of the Ngong Ping Village before marveling at the Big Buddha statue.

The Big Buddha is a bronze statue marked as the most iconic attraction at Lantau Island.

On the southern coastline of Lantau Island, you can find Cheung Sha Beach. Consistently ranking among the top beaches in Hong Kong, Cheung Sha Beach has two sections with three kilometers of golden shoreline.

For the ultimate island-hopping escapade, Tung Ping Chau offers an astonishing display of geological wonders as Hong Kong’s remotest island. Part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, Tung Ping Chau showcases molded rocks that have been carved by time and the sea.

Tung Ping Chau forms the tip of geological formation which is part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.

Hong Kong is far more than the shopping and partying destination that many have appointed it to be. Beneath its urban landscapes are pristine countrysides, mountains, and marine gems waiting to be explored. You can surely find your much-needed reset for the mind and body with a little searching and planning.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has a whole Great Outdoors selection on its website. Scroll through guides and recommendations for hiking, beach escapes, sightseeing, and island hopping. Whatever natural adventure you need, you’ll probably find your great nature reset in Hong Kong.

For more information, visit www.discoverhongkong.com/seasia/explore/great-outdoor.