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Karen Chiang

Finding a moment of calm in Hong Kong’s concrete jungle is no easy feat. Even a hike along the Dragon’s Back can feel crowded. But with a little planning, you’ll find there are plenty of opportunities to reconnect with nature and indulge in new experiences. Across the city, various communities and teachers are working to bring people closer to healing through nature. Here are six practices and places to help you unwind.
1. The Hideout

Just a short walk from the Mui Wo pier on Lantau Island, The Hideout (thehideout.hk) is a lakeside haven where you can enjoy a coffee or join regular movement and sound-healing classes in the fresh air. For something more unusual, try the “Coffee Farm to Cup” workshop, which guides you through the bean-to-cup process, or tap into your creative side with the lakeside Art Escape sessions. Whether you’re here for relaxation or creative expression, The Hideout offers a welcome reprieve from the city.
2. Forest bathing with Janet Fong

As a forest-therapy guide certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, yoga teacher and sound-healing practitioner, Janet Fong (instagram.com/the balancedjungle) is an expert in helping people foster deeper relationships with nature. Her forest-bathing sessions are a condensed version of the association’s two-and-a-half to three-hour structured design, offering guided programmes designed to connect guests with the natural world. Participants are encouraged to awaken their senses, slow down and get in tune with nature’s rhythms, ultimately experiencing its profound healing power. Join one of her regular group sessions or book a private experience tailored to your needs.
3. Island Within

Nestled on the tranquil island of Peng Chau, Island Within (instagram.com/island-within) is a sanctuary for day retreats that integrate yoga, sound healing and self-reflection. Founded by former film producer Zero Chan, this serene space offers the perfect escape from the bustle of daily life. Spend a day slowing down, reconnecting with yourself and learning wellness practices you can carry forward into your everyday routine.
4. Baba’s

Founded by a psychotherapist and a breathwork environmentalist sibling duo, Baba’s (instagram.com/babas.care) offers a variety of services and events designed to foster healing and connection. From psychotherapy and energy healing to breathwork and conscious food practices, Baba’s provides both private sessions and regular retreats in the lush, rural settings of Lantau Island. Whether you’re seeking a one-on-one appointment or a group experience, Baba’s is a haven for deeper self-care.
5. Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden

Nature lovers are likely to be familiar with Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (kfbg.org), a sprawling ecological sanctuary on the slopes of Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s tallest mountain, in the New Territories. Established in 1956 to support local farmers, KFBG has evolved into a hub for sustainability education, species conservation and ecosystem restoration. Visitors can explore its vast grounds through self-guided tours, using itineraries and activities available on its website, or take part in workshops and events centred on nature and mindfulness.
6. Mindful Still Together

For those looking to join a mindfulness community, Mindful Still Together (instagram.com/mindful_still_together) offers regular gatherings and courses inspired by the school of Buddhism known as the Plum Village tradition. Founded by Lok Chau, the group hosts a variety of mindfulness sessions, including Tai O day retreats and other courses held in serene natural settings such as forests and beaches. It’s the perfect way to escape the city and nurture inner peace.


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6 ways to get back to nature and find calm in busy Hong Kong

Visitors to The Hideout on Lantau Island enjoy a yoga class. Photo: Courtesy of The Hideout

The Hideout hosts “Coffee Farm to Cup” workshops on Lantau Island. Photo: Courtesy of The Hideout

A forest-bathing session with Janet Fong. Photo: Courtesy of Janet Fong

Island Within offers yoga and sound healing retreats on Peng Chau. Photo: Island Within/Facebook 

 Baba’s offers a variety of services and events designed to foster healing and connection. Photo: @babas.care/Instagram

An installation at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Mindful Still Together hosts mindfulness sessions in serene natural settings such as in forests and on beaches. Photo: Mindful Still Together/Facebook

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PostMag

Hongkongers are a famously harried lot, but there are workshops to help you reconnect with nature’s healing power and restore your inner peace


Hongkongers are a famously harried lot, but there are workshops to help you reconnect with nature’s healing power and restore your inner peace.


6 ways to get back to nature and find calm in busy Hong Kong

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Hongkongers are a famously harried lot, but there are workshops to help you reconnect with nature’s healing power and restore your inner peace

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}1. The Hideout

Hongkongers are a famously harried lot, but there are workshops to help you reconnect with nature’s healing power and restore your inner peace

1. The Hideout