A Californian Good Time at the Lower Cheung Sha Beach

The Cheung Sha Beach is the longest beach in Hong Kong.  At three km in length, the beach provides ample space for visitors to do all sorts of fun activities, including surfing, camping, canoeing and simply beach bathing.

The Cheung Sha Beach is located in the southern coast of Lantau Island.  It is a long stretch of sandy shore.  A little headland divides the beach into Lower Cheung Sha Beach and Upper Cheung Sha Beach.  Facing the southern waters of Hong Kong, this location is free of any sight of high rises.  It was therefore a wonderful getaway from city life.

We went to the more crowded Lower Cheung Sha Beach on this hot summer day.  There was not much planning in this outing.  We searched online for a beach in Lantau Island and this one turned up on the search.  In late afternoon we arrived at Tung Chung and took a bus (there were very long lines) to Lower Cheung Sha Village.

Because access by private cars to Lantau Island is restricted, there were not so many people in this beach.  All the necessary facilities are present, including shower, changing rooms and restrooms.  The Lower Cheung Sha Beach is usually more crowded because all the other establishments are also there.  That includes quite a few good restaurants, and also rental for water sports.

We sat down for a much-needed lunch first at Lantana.  We had a nice grilled veggies salad and a Margherita pizza, with fruit juice and coffee.  People wearing bikinis went in and out, and a fraternity-type kind of party was going on with loud music next door.  Surely this was reminiscent of a Californian beach time.

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Cheung Sha Beach is blessed with “powdery white sand and clean waters.”  Now, having gone there on a pleasant afternoon I must come back with somewhat of a different view.  First of all, as I was walking on the beach I noticed that it was much like the Hac Sa (Black Sand) Beach of Macao.  I think the sand is rather black in color.  Secondly, although there is no question that the water is clean, it is not clear.  At low tide in the afternoon the waves carried a lot of natural waste, such as leaves and small tree stems.  Yet the environment is very clean and pleasant.

We soaked in the shallow water at the shore for about half hour, enjoying the setting sun and the therapeutic power of the ocean waves.  It was totally chill and I would do it again.

Annoyances

At this beach some visitors let loose their pets.  We had some fierce-looking dogs that came near us at our beach spot.  They were not restrained but their owners were around.  Still it was quite a scare when they came near us.

How to Get There

At Tung Chung MTR station we headed over to the bus terminus.  Bus routes 1, 2, 4, 11, 23 will drop you off at Lower Cheung Sha Village.  Walk on further for a little and you will see the path to Lower Cheung Sha Village, go down and the beach is right there.

Sources

The Lantana, an Italian Beach Restaurant.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board on Cheung Sha Beach.