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since April 2000

White Jaw Lower Path (白顎下棧道)

Difficulty:

Last Visit: 9 Apr 2007

Lantau

Trip Description This is an old path opened up by hikers to connect many different hiking spots of the Lantau Peak. One end starts at the end of the very famous “Meandering Stone River” (倒腕石河) (indicated in yellow on the map), the longest stone rivers in Hong Kong where an accident happened in early 2007. The Meadering Stone River can also access to the middle stream of Feng Bi Stream . The other end finishes at the Lo Hon Tower (羅漢塔) where two routes join: the two routes are the stream of North Heavenly Gate (北天門) on the west side of Lo Hon Tower and a uphill path on the east side of Lo Hon Tower. There is hardly any historical document to explain why it is called White Jaw Lower Path. One possible explanation is that the path is right on the edge of a white flat cliff on the south-western side of Lantau Peak and such big cliff looks like a big jawbone. What is interesting in this horizontal path (which stays at around 650-780m) is that it goes through many high hanging, water dripping cliffs and it goes into one of the most remote forest on the south-western side of the Lantau Peak where a diversity of plants can be found. The easy way to access to the White Jaw Lower Path is walking up along a semi-hidden path west to “Meandering Stone River.”

Location 1: Altitude 430M It starts exactly at a gate called Tung Shan Fat Mum (or East Hill Budda Way), which is a point along the old path connecting to Tei Tong Tsai (地塘仔). You can also see a sign of camping site there. Walk in the camping site.

Location 2: Altitude 470M Looking back to the camping site.

Location 3: Altitude 500M Looking to the south side you can also see Nei Lak Shan (彌勒山) clearly.

Location 4: Altitude 655M When you walk more uphill, you hardly find any clear path. But the path actually leads you move to your left side (West) when you go uphill. If you still walk straight uphill, you will find the slope steeper and steeper and this is not advisable, and even move into “Meandering Stone River” if you deviate to your right side (East). When you reach around 650m, start to look on your left side and the path gets narrower and finally you go into brushes. You can also see big stone hanging over in the picture.

Location 5: Altitude 660M You start to see indicator (red ribbon) leading you into a forest. That is the start of the While Jaw Lower Path. Occasionally, you will see hikers coming suddenly from your (East) side when they finish the “Meandering Stone River”.

Location 6: Altitude 665M Walking for only 1-2 minutes, you will find yourself in a forest. You may lose your orientation when you enter the forest. Always remember the location of the big stone and cliff. There is the safety rule in the forest. Remember, down this forest is the hanging cliff (which is the White Jaw). Once you go into the forest, keep in mind that you need to continue to climb upward to 700m. If you only go downhill a bit, that is ok. But if you go down below 600m inside the forest, you will find yourself on the edge of a hanging cliff. It is very dangerous. The first picture slows the cliff. It’d better walk uphill along the cliff. The second picture is a strange stone. You can get the easy way to walk on its left and lower side. But remember to go uphill again when you go around the stone.

Location 7: Altitude 650M This is the scene of the forest during my exploration

Location 8: Altitude 710M Look at these straight trees where you can see red ribbons. In fact, inside the forest, if you follow the right path, there are also white ribbons along. This is the exit of the forest.

Location 9: Altitude 715M When you walk out the forest, you can see a clear footpath with white ribbons hanging on trees. When you are on the path, you can see also the Po Lin Temple and the Big Budda.

Location 10: Altitude 745M The flat footpath will lead your way going around Lautau Peak. And soon you will see the “Stone of the Animal tail helmet” (Mao Kui Shi) (旄盔石). The small stone on the top of the big left stone looks like a feather, tail or a crown. You have to go into the gap between the big stone and the cliff. Many people behave like a spider walking up the stone inside the gap.

Location 11: Altitude 745M After the Mao Kui Shi, then you will see a bigger stone like a smaller Lo Hon Tower. But it is not Lo Hon Tower. Instead, you can see besides the stone a “dripping water cliff wall”, which is really huge! It is just like going into another world at this place. But at the same time, you face another challenge. As indicated by the arrow, you have to climb up carefully on a cliff between the gaps of the rocks. Don’t fall, or else, you will fall down to the bottom of the hill. Fat boys and girls, pay attention! Ask people to talk your backpack before you climb up. It is really narrow.

Location 12: Altitude M You reach Lo Hon Tower. This is the end of the Lower Jaw Lower Path. At this point, we choose to walk down the peak by the footpath. Then you have to choose to go down on your left side.

Location 13: Altitude 775M A Photo taken on the bottom of Lon Hon Tower.

Location 14: Altitude 725M A path leading downward. Looking back is the Lo Hon Tower.

Location 15: Altitude 330M It is the exit to the path at Tei Tong Tsai.