I have never been a big fan of camping. In Hong Kong distances are short enough that day hikes/runs are a better option for me. But sometimes it’s fun.

Here a “brief” compendium of things I consider, after quite some research, mainly focused on multi-day adventures abroad. Index in case you want to go to specific sections.

Backpack – Shelter – Sleeping system – Cooking – Camping locations in HK – More tips

I will mix a bit of two different types of backpacking. The more traditional one with bulkier gear and quite some “luxuries” that would fit most weekend hikers. And the ultralight version better suited for those on longer outings, trying to cover longer distances per day. Think through-hikers walking the full Appalachian trail (3,500km) as the extreme.

Gear wise you would have your big three (or four): bag, shelter, sleeping system (+cooking system).

Backpack

If you are going to be taking heavy loads you might want to have a good backpack with a decent structure, comfortable hip belt, and others. Learn how to fit it up correctly.

I feel comfortable with my Fastpack 35 more minimalist backpack (the one I use for most of my day outings) with up to 6-7kg of weight. It does not have any framing or a proper hip belt. Therefore almost all the weight sits on my shoulders. Uncomfortable for long days with heavier loads on. Traditional backpack vs. the aforementioned.

There are specifically designed ultralight backpacks too from zpack and other manufacturers. They are mid-way but tend to be almost tailor-made and quite expensive.

Shelter

For most your tent. Although there might be, if you are new to this, more options than what you think.

In Hong Kong, you can cowboy camp, i.e. sleep without any overhead shelter. Weather allowed (temperatures tend not to be a problem, rain and wind mainly) your main concern would be bugs. Avoid areas with standing water and certain types of plants. Add some light breeze and you might have a good night’s sleep without them. I have slept on the remote beaches in the South West of Lantau that way nicely. Repellent, bug nets, and others are an option otherwise.

The most common shelter that you will see are freestanding tents. You can set them up basically anywhere, from sandy beaches to rocky terrain. Poles provide the inner structure and you use stakes mainly just to secure it to the floor.

You might find cheap single-wall versions. But most that I see are double-walled. You set up first the inner tent and then on top the rainfly. The pro of this is that the condensation tends to be smaller and they tend to be cooler.

The non-freestanding tents usually are single-walled and significantly lighter. Some rely just on trekking poles and tension from the stakes and lines to keep erect. They tend to be a little bit more complicated to set up. So you will need to practice a bit.

Even a more minimalistic version would be a tarp. The more extreme tried on my own with 2×1.5m pieces of plastic and some rope. We used trees to tie a central rope. Set the plastic above and keep it in place with little strings tied to hand made stakes and to corners of the plastic using pebbles.

But you can find a bit more pro versions. One option is to buy a specific tarp system. In our case, we have a “footprint” that I can use also for this. The main function of a footprint is to put it under the camping tent to increase insulation, avoid early wear of the floor, and easier cleaning. I was not able to find a proper size one for our tent and, as per the recommendation of a shop assistant in RC Outfitters, I ended up buying this.

Grabber All Weather Blanket 5×7 feet, exactly the same size as the tent itself. It could be used as an emergency shelter or just to cover yourself due to its insulation properties. We also use it as a base layer to camp with no overhead shelter on the beach. A video with someone using it as a tarp in extreme conditions.

Another option to consider would be a hammock + tarp system.

I have seen very few people in Hong Kong using these, but they assure hammocks provide the best rest if set correctly.

Sleeping system

The main reason why I did not like camping. The traditional setup would be a basic sleeping bag and a closed cell foam mat. There are different types. Something like this.

Sleeping quality on those for me was pretty bad. I could sleep on them, but nothing comparable to sleeping on a bed. Even when camping on the beach. A couple of years ago I discovered light inflatable mats. A complete game changer for me.

Klymit static V2 is a good cheaper option. 400g of weight, smaller than a 1 liter water bottle and a way more comfortable sleep. Since I bought it I bring it everywhere I travel. I have even dozed on it several times at different airports and, of course, cowboy camp and others.

You can find more comfortable and similar weighted mats, but tend to be significantly more expensive. You can find tons of comparisons on internet. The only technical term that you should learn about pads is the R-value that measures their insulation. The higher the value the warmer the pad will be. Usual recommendations are to use 0-2 R-valued pads in warmer places/seasons. Over that for cold camping. But it will greatly depend on yourself and your full gear.

I am a warm sleeper. My girlfriend is a cold sleeper. Thereof even in the same temperature and humidity conditions, we need very different gear. I can be sleeping with a 1.3 r-valued pad with almost no clothing on and be warm, she needs the 4 r-valued pad and real sleeping bag.

For sleeping bags, you can go from the thinnest liners to really thick ones. Liners can be used to put inside the sleeping bag themselves, to keep them clean and/or increase warmth. I bought a long time ago a silk one that I use as my main “bag” for warm weather.

A bit expensive, but tiny and light. It supposedly adds 5C to your sleeping bag. There are bulkier and significantly cheaper cotton options. Also, fleece liners if you are trying to bump up the warmth of the bag significantly.

The real sleeping bags will be significantly bulkier. The main difference for them is the fill. Synthetic insulation tends to be heavier and cheaper for the same temperature rating, it keeps some warmth even wet. Down is warmer when dry & more compressible. The type of down (goose, duck…) and the fill power (how many cubic inches per ounce, I have seen 650 to 800+) will define how warm, and expensive, it is. You might find the EN Ratings on the bags.

They consider gender averages, that you are in a tent, with a sleeping pad and that you are wearing a thermal base layer and, I think, a beanie. Try and know your gear before going to lower temperatures. I have once gone too low, under-prepared, and it was the most miserable night ever…

Another option for you to consider are quilts. The theory is as follows: the weight of your body above the back part of the sleeping bag will compress the down and therefore will not provide almost any warmth. Therefore you can rely on the pad for your back and you do not need that extra material. Quilts are similar to blankets that you can cinch around your feet and close around your neck. Because they have less material, they are lighter, less bulky, and cheaper. They are ideal for those who move a lot while sleeping and do not like the feeling of being cocooned.

Cooking

Some people love camping mainly for this part. Cooking in the wild. It could be a bonfire to barbecue on later.

That time we brought charcoal, a grill, and tons of food and utensils. But the cleanest and most efficient version for eating hot is to bring a stove and a small gas can.

A lot of things you could consider when choosing your stove. Here is an article with quite some of it. Or you might want to try cold soaking instead.

Tons of different options. Read and watch what others do and test what works best for you.

Camping locations in HK

Quite some people have asked me where they should go camping in Hong Kong. I will add here places where we have camped or I have seen people camping and looked good locations.

Tai Long Wan might be the easiest starting point. You can rent almost all the gear directly on the restaurants in Ham Tin. When I went there the first time, long years ago, only On Kee Store was open and since then I have been using their services. OKla “cha chaan teng” style food, Triton good enough camping tents (HKD150 Dec2017) and others. Call them beforehand if going in warmer months. It can get crowded and some of their stuff fully booked. Quite some people stay in Ham Tin itself, but I prefer to go to Tai Wan instead, way bigger beach and slightly fewer people. Some people have asked me which is the best spot for star gazing. This might be one of them, as furthest from the city and its light pollution.

Similar to Tai Long Wan but without all the facilities would be Long Ke Wan. Impressive beach. Nearby tiny forested area. Getting also quite crowded in the warmer months with the road just less than 30 minutes distance even heavy loaded.

If you are looking for stars South of Lantau is also a good option. Kau Ling Chung Campsite offers cute grassy camping spots, a bathroom, a stream from where to pick up water (boil or filter) and a decent beach (which might have some plastics…). The pictures on the top of this post are all from there. Not as quiet nights though with the ferries going back and forth to Macau in the vicinity.

Grass Island, is another favorite spot for local campers. There are no designated camping zones, but its thin grassy areas are perfect for pinching a tent. I have seen them in different locations. This for example.

Tung Lung Chau does have several designated camping areas that I have seen completely overcrowded in springtime. Similarly, you have a very family friendly area in Wan Tsai extension of Sai Kung West country park, with couple of designated campsites.

If you are looking for a cooler place you will need to backpack to higher altitude. I have seen even in the summer months campers around Sunset Peak enjoying the cool afternoon among the clouds and breeze. Additional perks are the views around and the airport below. Cons, those same clouds and rain in higher proportion than in the lowlands.

There is an easier-to-access “high” altitude (450m vs 700m previous) campsite on the top of Route Twisk, Rotary Club Campsite. Easier access might mean more people. If you like this kind of places, even more “boy-scout looking” like, you might want to take a look at Gilwell Campsite. Another favorite one for quite some people is the MacLehose trail stage 4 area under Pyramid Hill.

If you are looking for more isolated places Wong Chuk Kok Hoi beach in Double Island or Crescent Island in its North bay looked interesting.

But you will need a boat or be ready for some seatrekking.

A web page that I found recently specifically dedicated to camping in Hong Kong and campsite reviews. And another web for those that want to thru-hike the main HK hiking paths.

More tips

There are tons of YouTubers to watch, for example, Darwin on the trail or Dixie already linked above. There are more and more people sharing their through or weekend hikes. Also “educational” videos showing you things that can make your backpacking easier. Some that I liked.

How to clean your sleeping bag. BTW, do not store for long time your sleeping bag within the compression bag or might loose its loft. Keep it in a roomier cotton bag or else.

How to fold your clothes efficiently

How to repair a inflatable sleeping pad. BTW, if you do not have a (big enough) bathtub you can use a sponge and water (with some soap or without) to try to find the leaking spot instead. If you can you might want to store it also out of the compression bag.

The cheap tent we bought (actually next model)

More preparations that you should consider before your adventure.

2021 update: due to Covid camping popularity increased a looot in Hong Kong. Massive crowds in Long Ke, Grass Island, Tai Long Wan, etc. If you think the weekend weather is perfect for camping… Most likely several thousands of people will think the same. So go far from the most common places or simply wait for colder months when people tend not to camp so much.