Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls Hike: Bali Vibes In Hong Kong

This is post 113 of 121 in the series “Hong Kong”

Born and bred in Hong Kong – I have finally moved back to my home town after my 12 years stunt as a student in the UK. In a city of 7 million people, living in this metropolis is kind of like living in a huge kaleidoscope and you never know what you might see next.

There are a lot of misconceptions and preconception about Hong Kong as a city, as a local who had moved away and back, I want to expose Hong Kong’s beauties to you all through my eyes.

1. Dazzling… Dazzling Cafe
2. 5 reasons why I ditched London and move back to Hong Kong
3. Wine and dine at Stone Nullah Tavern
4. Sai Kung rock pools: the 4 consecutive pools and falls
5. The Ultimate Guide to a Sai Kung Boat trip
6. 5 transportations to take in Hong Kong
7. Top 5 dessert place of Hong Kong (as of Sept 2016)
8. 5+ amazing Sai Kung beaches in Hong Kong
9. The Ultimate First Timer’s info guide to Hong Kong
10. The Ultimate Guide to visiting the Peak, Hong Kong
11. Best Egg Waffle Hong Kong: tried and tested
12. Best brunch Hong Kong: my top 5 western restaurant
13. Night Hike in Hong Kong: Suicide Cliff, Kowloon Peak
14. The Best Time to Visit Hong Kong
15. Pineapple Mountain: a visit to the Hong Kong Grand Canyon
16. Top things to do in Admiralty and Central Hong Kong
17. The Best Place to Stay in Hong Kong for First Timers
18. Alternative places to stay in Hong Kong
19. The Ultimate Guide to Temples of Hong Kong (ALL free entry!)  
20. Moreish and Malt Afternoon tea: a review
21. West High Hill – an adventurous alternative to the Peak
22. Ham and Sherry Brunch Review – Tapas in Hong Kong
23. My top restaurants in Hong Kong
24. Hiking Tsz Wan Shan: the most underrated view of Kowloon
25. Bubble tea Hong Kong: a Laugh Travel Eat guide
26. A Shop and Eat Guide to Mongkok Hong Kong:
27. Tung Ping Chau Day trip: hidden Hong Kong
28. Ninepin Island: the hidden hexagonal column paradise of Hong Kong
29. Tai Tun Shan – the thousand islands view of Sai Kung
30. 15+ most instagrammed place in Hong Kong that’s not the Peak and how to get there
31. My 1 Day Itinerary in Hong Kong
32. Best of Sai Kung’s nature: Lai Chi Chong, Sham Chung, and Yung Shue O hike
33. MacLehose Trail Stage 4 – Shui Long Wo
34. Wu Gau Tang to Tiu Tang Lung hike: Hong Kong’s mountain and bays
35. Easy hikes in Hong Kong that aren’t Dragon’s Back
36. Needle Hill Hong Kong – conquering the third sharpest peak
37. High Junk Peak: hike the second sharpest peak of Hong Kong
38. Lung Ha Wan Country Trail: a hike up Tai Tun Leng Hong Kong
39. Sham Shui Po local guide: fabric, electronics, and food galore
40. A local’s guide to Sai Kung Hong Kong
41. Iris Hong Kong review: the annual yoga and wellness weekend festival
42. A hike up Ma On Shan via Tiu Shau Ngam, Hong Kong
43. Lion Rock Hike: how to hike up the iconic Hong Kong mountain
44. Tai To Yan: a Hong Kong razor ridge hike
45. Buffalo Hills: hike up rocky outcrops and silver grass in Hong Kong
46. Robin’s Nest: hike between Hong Kong and Shenzhen
47. Devil’s Peak: fortifications and urban views galore
48. Qipao rental in Hong Kong: experience old Hong Kong charm
49. Kai Kung Leng: the velvet trail of Yuen Long
50. Tai O Hong Kong: a day trip from the city
51. Hung Heung Lo Fung: shortest hike in Hong Kong with a view
52. Top things to do in Lantau Island on a day trip (or two)
53. Wo Yang Shan hike: frolic under Tai Mo Shan
54. Things to do in Sheung Wan Hong Kong
55. Things to do in Hong Kong at night
56. Sheung Wan Restaurants: best eateries and cafes
57. Cheung Chau Island: a Hong Kong day trip
58. What to do in Hong Kong in 4 days – advice from a local
59. Nui Po Shan: finding the phallic rock hike in Hong Kong
60. Sharp Peak: conquering one of Hong Kong’s toughest trails
61. Lui Ta Shek hike: a quiet hike in Sai Kung
62. Hiking Middle Hill – a fly by from Kowloon Peak
63. Kayaking in Sai Kung: where to rent and paddle to
64. Green Egg Island – an unusual oasis in Sai Kung, Hong Kong
65. Seeking Kam Kui Shek Teng, Sai Kung Hong Kong
66. Ping Nam Stream: hidden waterfall in Hong Kong
67. Madai Stream: chasing waterfalls in Ma On Shan
68. Grass Island Tap Mun- a Sai Kung getaway
69. Pak Lung Stream: a Lantau stream hike
70. Top Hong Kong Staycation deals
71. Ap Lei Pai adventure via Yuk Kwai Shan
72. Po Kwu Wan: a hidden Sai Kung bay
73. Wang Chung Stream: the most scenic waterfall hike
74. Tai Shing Stream – seeking birds and dragons
75. Basalt Island: an adventure in Sai Kung Geo Park
76. Jin Island: a day trip to Tiu Chung Chau
77. Rhino Rock Stanley: a short hike with a view
78. Tsing Tam Reservoir and Ho Pui Reservoir: an easy hike
79. Lantau Peak from Ngong Ping: the easy route
80. Bluff Island: an island adventure in Sai Kung
81. Lo Fu Tau Country Trail: a Lantau Island hike
82. Wilson Trail Stage 4: Tung Yeung Shan – an unexpected silver grass heaven
83. Middle Dog Teeth Ridge – Mid Kau Nga Ling up Lantau Peak
84. Kau To Shan: the hidden hike in Fo Tan
85. Lau Shui Heung Reservoir to Hok Tau Reservoir: a Fanling easy day hike
86. Tai Mo Shan hike: 5 ways to go up the Highest peak in Hong Kong
87. 10 best hikes Hong Kong
88. Devil’s Fist – a Plover Cove Reservoir hike out Wong Chuk Kok Tsui
89. Cape d’Aguilar Hike Hong Kong: a complete guide
90. Violet Hill hike + Twins Peak
91. Sham Shui Po Food: a tried and tested guide
92. Thousand Islands: Reservoir Island viewpoint in Tai Lam Country Park
93. Tai Tong: Hong Kong’s red leaves haven
94. Mau Ping Ancient Trail: seeking the Vine King and Bamboo Tunnels
95. Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden: a sustainable and education day trip
96. Pat Sin Leng hike: conquering the 8 immortals peak
97. Shek Uk Shan: highest peak in Sai Kung
98. Nam Sang Wai: cycling to the Yuen Long scenic wetland
99. Tsang Pang Kok Tsui: the hidden headline
100. Seeking Devil’s Claw along Chung Hom Kok
101. Things to do in Aberdeen Hong Kong
102. Sok Kwu Wan: hidden Lamma Island
103. Best Burgers in Hong Kong
104. Wang Chau: Sai Kung’s hidden tombolo
105. Yim Tin Tsai: the salt farming island of Sai Kung
106. Top things to do in Tsim Sha Tsui
107. Checkerboard Hill: a Hidden Kowloon hike
108. Hidden Hindu Temple Fanling: low level urban exploration
109. Shark Rock Hong Kong: a hidden Kowloon hike
110. Cloudy Hill: the easy way to hike Wilson Trail Section 8
111. Ngau Wu Reservoir hike: a quick trip to the forgotten Ma On Shan reservoir
112. 134 hike Sai Kung: Sharp Peak-3 Peninsula-4 beaches
113. Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls hike: Bali vibes in Hong Kong
114. Little Hawaii Trail: easy waterfall hike with tropical vibes
115. Maclehose Trail Section 3: Ka Kung Shan hike
116. MacLehose Trail Section 2: Sai Wan, Ham Tin Beach, and Chek Keng
117. Po Toi Island Guide: hikes, attractions, and where to eat
118. Tsz Sha Ancient Trail: an easy hike between Shatin and Kowloon
119. Easter Island Rock Hike: Sunny Bay to Discovery Bay on Lantau Island
120. Fan Lau Trail: the southwestern most part of Lantau Island
121. Shek Nga Tau: the hidden hill of Sai Kung

Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls hike is one of the most popular trails in Tai Po. There is, of course, waterfalls, and it also links up to Tai Mo Shan, the highest mountain in Hong Kong. If you want to chase waterfalls on a well-appointed trail, feel some jungle vibe, and then have the option to hike up to Tai Mo Shan or return back to the bus stop, this is the hike for you.

Ng Tung Chai Hike Summary

Time taken: 3-4 hours, 4-5 hours if you’re going up to Tai Mo Shan

Ng Tung Chai hike difficulty: 3/5 – add 0.5 if you’re going up to Tai Mo Shan

Pros: the trail is paved, relatively easy to follow with beautiful waterfalls

Cons: quite popular, the trail start is a bit out of the way

Things to know about the Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls Hike

As the best Tai Po Waterfalls and one of the most popular Hong Kong waterfalls, it’s a trail that attracts a lot of hikers.

You can dip your feet in the waterfalls, but I’d advice against swimming there because of the human traffic and most of the pools are relatively shallow. There are other streams like Ping Nam and Wang Chung Streams that are better for that.

You should also bring insect repellent as this is a forested area, and plenty of water in the summer.

How to get to Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls trail start

The Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls start at the northern foothills of Tai Mo Shan east of Kadoorie Farm. It’s behind the Ng Tung Chai Village.

The easiest way to get there is by taking the 64K bus from Tai Po Market MTR (towards Yuen Long).

Pak Ngau Shek Start for Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls hike

Follow it up and it’ll take you to the village suare, where there’s a public bathroom. From there, go towards the right where it’ll take you to the trail that goes to Man Tak Yuen.

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Ng Tung Chai Bus Stop start for Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls Hike

It’s actually better to get off at Ng Tung Chai Bus stop, where you just follow the meandering main road to the trail start. Both of the trails meet at the back of Ng Tung Chai village.

Ng Tung Chai Village to Man Tak Yuen Temple

From the back of Ng Tung Chai village is a path with many signposts that leads to the Man Tak Yuen Temple.

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It’s a narrow but gently uphill hike that serves well as a warm-up. You can see down to the valley and the river from the trail, and it almost feels like you’re in Bali.

The Man Tak Yuen Temple is a Taoist temple and the trail start for the Ng Tung Chai waterfalls hike is right by the entrance.

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There is a little courtyard in front of it that makes for a good resting spot if you need to take a break.

Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls Hike

The trail for the Ng Tung Chai hike is well shaded and started off as stairs, then it’s mostly paved by rocks. There are four main waterfalls along the Ng Tung Chai trail, with the Main Fall being the tallest waterfall.

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Bottom Fall

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It’s not a long walk to the Bottom Fall, only about 20 minutes from Man Tak Yuen. It’s not directly along the main trail, we had to go down from a junction in order to go to the Bottom Fall.

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There is a signpost there to remind you, so you won’t accidentally miss it.

The Bottom Fall is my favourite because of the three tiers of narrow streams, and it also has a Bali vibe like we’re transported into a lush jungle.

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To continue the hike go back up to the junction and carry on up.

Middle Fall

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From Bottom Fall to Middle Fall is only another ten minutes or so. It’s also not along the main trail but only a short distance from a junction.

This one is more in the open with a smaller pool under the fall.

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The trek from Middle Fall to Main Fall is the longest and the hardest. It took us 30 minutes and there are two stretches of painful switchbacks that were exhausting.

Bonus: Choi Hung Fall

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At one of the switchbacks, there’s a small trail that extends to the left that leads to the Choi Hung Fall. It’s not as pretty or big, but it’s a cute little stop if you want to take a break.

Luckily, there were some flatter stretches and even some downhill sections that allowed us to catch our breath.

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Main Fall

The main fall is the biggest open space on the Ng Tung Chai hike and the waterfall is also the tallest.

There is a viewing platform just before the turn to the bottom of the falls, but the trail actually continues on the other side of the waterfall.

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Scatter Fall

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It takes less than 10 minutes to go to the Scatter Fall, which is just left of the trail this time!

You don’t have to turn back around to hike out, just keep going up and there are some quite brutal stone stairs that eventually lead to a flat trail lined with bamboos on the right side.

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We also walked through an abandon house, which is kind of cool.

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Tai Mo Shan-Ng Tung Chai Trail Junction

Once we are at the junction, you can return down to Ng Tung Chai village with the right trail, or take the trail to the left for Tai Mo Shan

See the TaiMo Shan hike here