Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls: The Complete Hong Kong Trail Guide
Photo by Journey Era
Most people who have lived in Hong Kong for years have never been here.
Ng Tung Chai sits in the foothills of Tai Mo Shan, deep in the New Territories — a 7km trail through subtropical forest that ends, in stages, at four distinct waterfalls. The final one, the Main Fall, drops roughly 30 metres down a cliff face. It is, by most accounts, the tallest waterfall in Hong Kong.
The Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls hike in Hong Kong is not a gentle stroll. It is rated difficult. The trail climbs steadily, the paths get slippery after rain, and there are no refill points once you leave the village. But the falls — especially in summer, after two days of downpour — are worth the effort.
This is the complete guide to getting there, what to expect from each waterfall, and when to go.
Trail Overview: The Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls Hike in Hong Kong
Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls is one of 26 trails in the Iconic Hikes Hong Kong collection. The trail runs through Tai Mo Shan Country Park in the New Territories, climbing from the village of Ng Tung Chai to four waterfalls set deep in the hillside.
- Distance: approximately 7km return
- Duration: 3 to 4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate to hard
- Elevation gain: significant, steep sections in the upper half
- Trailhead: Ng Tung Chai village, New Territories
- Best time to go: May to October (wet season), when the falls are at their fullest — though summer heat and humidity are factors worth planning around
The trail is accessible year-round, but the difference between a wet-season visit and a dry-season visit is significant. In November and December, the falls can slow to a trickle. After a sustained downpour in July or August, they are spectacular.
Getting to Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls: Transport from the City
Photo by Jouney Era
Getting to Ng Tung Chai is straightforward from Kowloon or Hong Kong Island.
By MTR and bus: Take the MTR to Tai Po Market Station (East Rail Line). From the adjacent bus terminus, board Bus 64K towards Yuen Long and get off at the Ng Tung Chai stop — it takes around 15 minutes. Alternatively, take the MTR to Tai Wo Station and board Bus 64K or Minibus 25K to the same stop.
From the bus stop: Follow the road south through the village. The first 15 to 20 minutes are on a paved concrete path. You will pass a small temple on your left and then cross a stream on a wooden bridge. A trail map sign marks the start of the dirt path up to the falls.
There is limited parking near the village. Most people arrive by public transport, and it is the more practical option — the roads in this area are narrow.
The Four Waterfalls — and Why the Sequence Matters
The four waterfalls are reached in order, with each one requiring more elevation than the last. This is not a trail where you arrive at the falls and turn around — you earn each one.
Bottom Fall: About 15 minutes from the bridge. A short detour off the main path leads you to the first pool and fall. It is the smallest of the four, but a useful point of reference. The pool beneath it is calm enough to look into clearly — if you see it running full, the upper falls will be worth the climb.
Photo by fcracer.com
Middle Fall: A few minutes above the Bottom Fall on the main trail. Bigger and louder. You will hear it before you see it. This is where most casual walkers stop on quieter days.
Photo by fcracer.com
Main Fall: The centrepiece. Around 30 metres of water dropping vertically down a cliff face. The pool at the base is wide and the spray reaches you well before you reach the edge. This is the tallest waterfall in Hong Kong by most measurements, and in wet season it earns that description.
Photo by Drone & DSLR
Scatter Fall: Immediately above the Main Fall. The water fans out across the rock face in multiple channels before gathering at the cliff edge — the opposite of the Main Fall's single, concentrated drop. It is the most visually unusual of the four.
The upper falls require scrambling over rocks in some places. Grip matters. Wear shoes with sole traction, not flat-soled trainers.
Photo by Jouney Era
When to Go: Season, Conditions and Safety
The best time to hike Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls is one to two days after significant rainfall. The falls are at their most dramatic when the hillside is saturated and the streams are running fast. In practice, this means the wet season (May to October) is peak waterfall season — though it is also when the heat and humidity are most demanding.
In summer, start early. The first buses arrive in the area by 8am and the temperature is manageable before 10am. By noon, hiking in direct sun on the upper sections is genuinely uncomfortable. The upper trail gets little shade.
After heavy rain, the trail surface becomes slippery on the steeper sections. This is not a reason to avoid the trail — it is a reason to wear appropriate footwear and move carefully.
A note on the pools: Do not enter the pools or stand under the falls. Flash flooding is a real risk in the upper valley during and after heavy rain. The Hong Kong Observatory typhoon signal system matters here: if a Number 3 or above signal is raised, do not attempt the trail.
For advice on managing summer hiking in Hong Kong — heat, hydration and timing — read Summer Hiking in Hong Kong: How to Beat the Heat.
What to Bring
- At least 1.5 litres of water per person — there are no refill points on the trail
- Hiking shoes or trail runners with grip — flat-soled shoes are not adequate for the upper sections
- Sunscreen and a hat for the paved sections before the forest cover begins
- A change of socks (the stream crossing and wet rocks will affect your feet)
- Snacks — the return journey is as demanding as the ascent
- A fully charged phone for navigation and emergencies
Frequently Asked Questions: Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls Hike
How hard is the Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls hike?
It is rated moderate to hard. The lower section is straightforward on a paved path, but the upper trail to the Main and Scatter Falls involves steep climbing on loose and sometimes wet rock. Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can complete it, but it is not a beginner trail.
How long does the Ng Tung Chai hike take?
Allow 3 to 4 hours for the full trail to all four falls and back. If you are spending time at each fall and stopping to eat, plan for 4 hours. The return journey is faster once you know the route, but the descent on wet paths takes concentration.
Can you swim at Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls?
Swimming in the pools or streams at Ng Tung Chai is dangerous and is not permitted. The risk of flash flooding in the upper valley is real, especially after or during rain. But some do decide to go take a dip!
The lower section and Bottom Fall are manageable for older children with good footwear. The upper sections to the Main and Scatter Falls are steep and rocky and are not appropriate for young children. If you are hiking with kids, treat the Middle Fall as your turnaround point and read the easy hikes guide for more family-appropriate alternatives.
What is the best month to visit Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls?
July and August see the heaviest rainfall and the fullest waterfalls. October is a good compromise: the wet season is ending, the falls are still running well, and the temperature drops to something more comfortable for the climb. Avoid December to February if you want to see the falls at their best — dry season reduces them significantly.
Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls is one of 26 trails documented in Iconic Hikes Hong Kong, the coffee table book and poster series that gives Hong Kong's natural landscape the recognition usually reserved for the city's skyline. If you hiked Ng Tung Chai and want a record of it, the trail art prints are available in A1, A2 and A3 at hikeshongkong.com/collections/prints.