What to Pack?

• A water-resistant, easy-to-assemble tent
• An emergency kit that includes - a flashlight (with extra batteries), bottled water, waterproof matches, high-carbohydrate snacks (such as energy bars), a pocketknife, a whistle, a hat and a mini-sized radio.
• Mosquito net, insect repellent and sunscreen
• A sleeping bag. Choose the right one for your conditions. Remember that temperatures can drop at higher elevations so choose a warmer bag if you can.

Get Prepared

When preparing for your trip, balance what you need with what you can carry. Consider what is available where you are going.

Here’s a checklist to follow from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, who manage most of the campsites in town.

1. Plan ahead – extremely important.
2. Choose a site based on your ability, decide on the duration of your stay, the equipment to take, and the amount of food that you will need.
3. You can’t book a spot, so arrive early.
4. Check the weather before heading out.
5. Practice setting up the tent at home before you take it out into the wilderness.
6. Before leaving home, leave a written message describing your destination, routes of traveling and duration of stay in case of emergency.
7. When packing, try to keep the center of gravity near the top of the rucksack to minimize back injuries.

Where to buy camping gear

Chamonix
1/F, On Yip Building, 295 Shanghai St., Mongkok, 2338-3626

Nature Outdoor Equipment
Shop 35, LG/F, Champagne Court, 6 Kimberly Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2724-1866

Outdoor Mart
Hing Shun Mansion, 82 Fu Yan St., Kowloon Tong, 2793-9907

Protrek
156-157 Connaught Rd. Central, Sheung Wan, 2850-7900

Sport City Sporting Equipment
37 Leighton Rd., Causeway Bay, 2891-6073

At the Site

So you’ve finally gotten to your campsite. You’ve even set up your tent successfully. But here are things you must pay attention to:

1. Always cook outside the tent. Duh.
2. Always boil stream water for drinking and make sure the source is clean.
3. Camping in remote sites should be carried out in groups of not less than five people.
4. Be prepared for emergencies. If your phone has no reception, call the international emergency number (112).

Useful Numbers

Country Parks

Call the individual parks for more info or go to www.afcd.gov.hk

Aberdeen Visitor Centre
2555-2179

Tai Mo Shan Visitor Centre
2498-9326

Sai Kung Visitor Centre
2792-7365

Plover Cove Country Park Visitor Centre
2665-3413

Lions Nature Education Centre
2792-2234

Shing Mun Visitor Centre
2498-1362

Hong Kong Observatory
187 8200

Hill Fire Control Centre
2720-0777
Operates during dry season, from October to April.

Civil Aid Service
7584-3270

Not sure exactly which campsite to go? Check out our guide for some of the recommended spots around Hong Kong.