A Walk Up the Peak of Temple Hill (Via Shatin Pass Road)
The Temple Hill is known locally as Tsz Wan Shan. It acquired this name due to the Kwun Yam Temple in the area. This day we climbed up to the Digital TV Transmission Tower at the peak of Temple Hill via the Shatin Pass Road.
Views on the Road
We began our walk at the green top mini bus stops on Tsz Wan Shan Road. We headed up the Shatin Pass Road, having passed the Shatin Pass Estate, and began the journey. The first landmark that we came across was the Fat Jong Temple.
Monk Sik Yuen Chuk (transliteration) founded this temple in 1948. During the 1980s, a believer donated the funds needed to restore the temple. The temple grounds held the consecration ceremony in 1995. The temple serves quite a few branches of Buddhism. Since I did not pay a proper visit, I will save the introduction for a later time, if I do come again. Suffice to say, the huge temple ground, which takes up 1,000 square meters, and along with the temple’s imposing structure, were a grand view.
The next landmark was the Temple Hill Kwun Yam Buddhist Temple. This Kwun Yam Temple was built in the third year of the Xianfeng Reign of the Qing Dynasty (1853), with donations from the Buddhist residents in this area.
Finally, you will also come across the Lion Pavilion, which is a popular rest stop on this trail. The entrance of “the staircase to heavens” is across from the Lion Rock Pavilion (see below).
The Staircase to Heavens
The trail up to the Digital TV Transmission Tower is known locally as the “staircase to heavens.” Our original plan was to climb it. However, within just about the first minute of walking this path, mosquitoes have bitten my friend in quite a few spots already. Therefore, we abandoned the staircase and decided to walk on Shatin Pass Road.
We did learn later from fellow hikers that only the first part of the staircase is shaded and attracted mosquitoes. Once you reach the concrete-paved staircase, there will be no more shade for most of it.
If you are to take the staircase, be watchful because the entrance is somewhat obscure. When you pass by the merging point of Wilson Trail Sections 4, 5 and the Shatin Pass Road, you will see this following view:
The photo on the left shows the crossroads, with the only restaurant on this trail. The restaurant serve silken tofu, and do stop by for a treat here. Just a little further up the Shatin Pass Road, you will notice this stone block next to a set of stairs, see the photo on the right.
Also look to your right and you will see the Lion’s Pavilion. That is the best indication that you are at the entrance to the staircase.
Hikers really like this staircase because it comes with exceptional, wide-open views of both Kowloon and Hong Kong. It also takes less time than the forever meandering Shatin Pass Road. Therefore the common way to hike up the peak of Temple Hill is via the staircase, then walk down on Shatin Pass Road and all the way back to the Shatin Pass Estate. Downward slopes are easier on the knees than stairs.
The Shatin Pass Road
The Shatin Pass Road is a proper driveway. Be very careful with cars driving by as you walk.
Surely, the “staircase to heavens” show exceptional views, but that is not to say that there are no views on the Shatin Pass Road. We did see panoramic views of Kowloon and Hong Kong, though with a few surrounding trees obstructing part of the view. The views were exceptional as well, although perhaps not as wide-open.
Photos: Panormaic views on the Shatin Pass Road
Keep on walking on Shatin Pass Road until you see the road signs for Kwun Yam Shan Village:
Keep to your left here and also when you see the next crossroads just a few meters up. The path on your left will lead you up the Digital TV Transmission Tower, which is also the very peak of Temple Hill.
The peak of Temple Hill prides a height of 488 meters. To my disappointment, once up the Digital TV Transmission Tower, we did not see any view worthy of a photo. We quickly made our way back, as the sun would set within an hour from that time on.
We walked at a leisurely pace. From the Shatin Pass Estate to the peak of Temple Hill, it took us 1 hour and 20 minutes. We spent an hour walking back, again on Shatin Pass Road.
How to Get there
Minibus 19 goes to Shun Tin House in the Shatin Pass Estate from Sun Po Kong Plaza. However, we waited for a long time on our return trip and eventually we took a taxi back to Sun Po Kong.
Minibus 19M goes to the same minibus stop from Diamond Hill MTR Station. It runs very frequently.
By private car, I had the impression that there is hourly parking available at the Shatin Pass Estate. I should have parked there.
Some bloggers took a much longer path with more rigorous climbing by walking from Tsz Wan Shan, Wong Tai Sin or Diamond Hill. That would have been too much walking for me. If you do so, please allow time accordingly.
Sources
The website of Fat Jong Temple (Chin),
The Wikipedia on Tsz Wan Shan Kwan Yam Temple (Chin).
The Wikipedia on Temple Hill (Hong Kong).
