North and South Heaven Gates(934m)

Back to the Lantau Island, where different advanced routes are hidden that can lead our steps up to the Lantau Peak. This time, we are taking two dangerous paths, both involving climbing over huge rocks, along cliffs and pulling ropes etc. The paths are not only slippery due to the growth of lichen, but also dangerous and life-threatening since there are no further protection or equipment to help us on our ways, we must come up on our ways most suitable for ourselves, just to reach the destination or the end of that road section. Otherwise, with one tiny mistake, we would fall down the cliff!

We took Lantau Bus No. 23 and took off at the final stop in Ngong Ping. Then, we walked along Ngong Ping Road in the direction of Wisdom Path. It is highly recommended to go to toilet or buy any addition snacks or drinks from the kiosks nearby, since there would not be any toilets or supply stations uphill.

As we reached the junction of entrances of Lantau Trail, Bernacchi Trail and Wisdom Path, we turned left. There was a small sandy route hidden behind the statue of a colored Phoenix. We followed the guidance of ribbons until the beginning of Lantau North Cliffside Trail. The route was muddy and rocky in the wood, as a result, there were many spiders and different kinds of insects; there were even chances of encountering snakes. We walked past the Helmet Rock, the Skylight Rock, the Water-Dripping Rock and One-Tree Cave.

FYI: One-Tree Cave was named since there had been a tree inside the cave. However, it is no longer there anymore.

After taking a break in the cave, we continued our way and we saw Law Hon Tap. We neither climbed up Law Hon Tap, nor Law Hon Ridge since it was foggy and it rained slightly in the morning, so for the sake of safety, we picked another way: Law Hon Gap. We walked down the steep and rocky Law Hon Gap and went up North Heaven Gate to the summit of Lantau Peak via a risky trek which required us to walk alongside the cliff. Even though there was a rope, it only covered up half of the path. The rock was huge near the end of the trail, so it was actually very dangerous since it was extremely easy to lose balance and fall down.

We had late lunch at Tsam Chai Au, then we challenged ourselves: Instead of going back down to the city through Kau Nga Ling, we went through Lantau Peak South Cliffside Trail, climbed up the South Heaven Gate, be back to Lantau Trail and returned Pak Kung Au where we took Lantau Bus No. 3M or No. 11 for Tung Chung MTR Station.

It was so steep and nearly vertical (gradient was about 80 degree) as we made our way down from the Bird Rock to the Lantau Peak South Cliffside Trail. We could not jump down since it was at least 3m high , so we sat and slid down slowly, did not dare to rush here as there was no going back if we were out of boundary! This part of the Cliffside Trail was more difficult and physically demanding than the Northern one in the beginning since it was so slippery, when going ups and downs continuously and it was much longer.

View from the Lantau Peak South Cliffside Trail, taken when we were walking along the cliff.

The beginning of Lantau North Cliffside Trail is narrow and slippery, covered with small gravels. Follow the ribbons and mind your way!

I recommend those who would like to try climbing up the Heaven Gates to give an attempt to the North Heaven Gate before the South Heaven Gate. It would also be perfectly fine if you would like to do only one each time!