This route does not exist in official map. It looks pretty short but it is really demanding in term of strength and guts. It is definitely not for the inexperienced. This route threads through a couple of landmarks: Overturned Blow Rock River(倒碗石河), One-Tree Cave(一樹洞), Dripping Cliff(滴水崖), Lo Han Tower (羅漢塔), North Heaven Gate (北天門), etc. It is quite a compact trip.
1
470M
The starting is super easy to locate. It is just next to the phoenix statue in Ong Ping (昂平).
2
515M
Overturned Cliff (倒碗崖)
3
655M
Overturned Blow Rock River (倒碗石河). This time we did not take on this rock river. Instead, we took a left turn to continue this trip.
4
680M
Illicium angustisepalum (大嶼八角). A species unique to Hong Kong typically found around Lantau Phoenix Peak.
5
730M
Moving inside a forest. Although rugged, the path is quite obvious and is easy to follow.
6
785M
We have just hiked past a spitted rock. It was an amazing experience. Someone called this Helmet Rock (旄盔石) because it looks a an ancient helmet from afar.
What a stunting view after quite a bit hardship!
7
795M
This is the Dripping Cliff. It looks a cave from afar but it is actually a tall overhang cliff. Water indeed drips from the above.
To move forward, we have to overcome this vertical wall of about 2M tall. Some ropes are tied by hiking veterans to assist hikers. You need some skills to handle this. Try to make use of the trees instead of relying on the ropes.
This guy emerged from the top of this vertical cliff.
8
820M
We are now in the One-Tree Cave next to Lo Han Tower. One-Tree Cave? Where is the tree? We believe the tree has long gone. Thanks to one of our member who took a super-wide angle CCD camera for this picture.
9
825M
This is the heel of Lo Han Tower (羅漢塔). From here, we descend to North Heaven Gate (北天門).
10
800M
We are heading to the U-shape opening ahead of us. That's North Heaven Gate (北天門), something not for the faint-hearted.
11
820M
Climbing after climbing. This path is quite steep.
12
835M
Another challenging climb which is just the appetizer.
13
845M
This is the entree, Passage of the Heaven (天門棧道). It is a very narrow rocky passage in the middle of a giant vertical cliff. There is no room for error.
You will find some ropes to help. However, those ropes are soaking wet with signs of wearing out. You'd better not to rely on the rope. Ropes could be used backup. There are actually sufficient hand holes. You just have to overcome your fear.
You see, the rope is not there when you need them most. Help!!!
Sky Walker on Passage of the Heaven (天門棧道).
14
855M
Finally we have left the most breathtaking part behind us.
15
870M
We were about to reach the conventional hiking path. Rain was coming. It is fortunate that we had finished it before the rain. It was just too crazy to imagine tackling the Passage of the Heaven (天門棧道) in rain.
