Putting the focus on its outdoors, Hong Kong Tourism Board has lined up a series of events on a variety of outdoor adventures, including cyclothons, marathons and water sports.

Using its diverse terrain to promote it as a paradise for lovers of outdoor adventures, Hong Kong Tourism Board has mounted a number of international-standard races like Cyclothon, which attract cyclists from around the world and other activities that allow adventurers to go at their own pace.

According to a press statement by HKTB, as a global city, Hong Kong hosts a number of international sporting events each year. Many are open for overseas enrolment, allowing visitors to challenge themselves while taking in spectacular front-row views of Victoria Harbour and beyond.

The statement adds that Hong Kong’s largest international cycling event, the cyclothon is scheduled to be held on October 22, with about 5,000 cyclists expected from all around the world. The statement adds that spectators will have the chance to witness the skills of nearly 100 professional cyclists, including more than 10 UCI WorldTour teams and pro continental teams, such as Jayco-AlUla from Australia, competing for the champion’s jersey and prize money as they stage a series of intense battles with the UCI 1.1 Road Race returning to the city after five years.

The tourism board says that the world-class race offers grandstand views of Hong Kong’s city skyline and stunning natural landscape over its three-tunnel, three-bridge 30 km and 50 km routes, which include roads and thoroughfares opened exclusively for cyclists. It adds that registration for the event opens on September 6 and can be done on the event website.

Hong Kong will also host two events for runners of all abilities seeking a different perspective on some of the city’s best-known attractions and hidden wonders. On December 17, over 20,000 runners are expected to race in the Hong Kong Streetathon where runners can challenge themselves by taking one of the three distinct routes, including a marathon, which traverses the Kwun Tong Bypass and features panoramic harbour views, a cross-harbour half-marathon, and a 10 km run taking in several thoroughfares that will be open to runners for the very first time. Registration is open now on the event.

Alternatively, enthusiastic runners can hit the streets in Hong Kong on January 21, 2024 for one of the region’s most significant running events, the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. HKTB says that this popular event will once again encompass a marathon, half-marathon and 10 km run. 

Other than the racing events that can be enjoyed, for adventure-seeking visitors looking for a way to stay active while exploring a different side of the city, HKTB says that Hong Kong has a variety of other adventures.

Whether through bustling urban centres or on idyllic outlying islands, there are a number of alternative ways to explore Hong Kong on two wheels for cyclists of all skill levels. One unmissable journey can be found in the New Territories in the form of a 55-km-long track that connects Tuen Mun to Sha Tin. En route, riders can explore some of the city’s rich cultural history with the path boasting easy access to centuries-old temples, and other historic structures and monuments, all backdropped by a breathtaking terrain that features wetlands, rivers, parks, mountains and the sea.

HKTB adds that as a city with a vast coastline, Hong Kong is also an excellent place for water sports lovers. The verdant rolling hills and rugged coastline of the Sai Kung Peninsula have long made it a go-to destination for weekend hikers, but this expansive country park is just as spectacular when explored from the water. One can head to Sai Kung Country Park’s Three Fathoms Cove (Kei Ling Ha Hoi) and step onto a stand-up paddleboard to take in charming seafront villages framed by incredible geological formations, and marvel at breathtaking views, while swimming with fish.

Guarding the east entrance to Victoria Harbour is the small but mighty subtropical island of Tung Lung Chau, one of Hong Kong’s true hidden gems. With its unique coastal scenery and sea cliffs dotting the shoreline, the islet is popular for thrill-seeking rock climbers of all experience levels. Tung Lung Chau is also home to a number of historical sites, perfect for exploring after a morning climb.

“The young and affluent Indian travellers coming to Hong Kong are increasingly seeking for an active, adventurous and undiscovered experiences. We are thrilled to present them the great outdoors in Hong Kong that would offer them city’s energetic, vibrant and thrilling adventures such as beautiful rewarding green hiking trails, remote yet accessible self-sustained islands and beaches, soft adventure water sporting activities and outdoor sights to awaken their five senses in expansive natural landscapes. Hong Kong is also gearing up to welcome the international visitors who want an ultimate thrill seeker’s itinerary to combine their visit around the exciting international sporting events such as Hong Kong Cyclothon, Hong Kong Streetathon and Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon,” says Puneet Kumar, Director South Asia and Middle East, Hong Kong Tourism Board.

“We welcome our fans and friends from India for upcoming season as travelling to Hong Kong from India is seamless with visa free stay not exceeding 14-days after successfully registering for Pre-arrival registration and now a wide choice of full board and low cost carriers connecting Hong Kong from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru,” he adds.