Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Suggested Route: Mui Wo Ferry Pier＞Silver River＞Yuen’s Mansion＞Totoro Bus Stop＞Silvermine Waterfall＞Silvermine Cave＞Mak Sun Kee＞Mui Wo Ferry Pier
Highlights: Find calm and relaxation in the tranquil surroundings of Mui Wo. As you immerse yourself in nature and stroll through the beautiful scenery, have your camera ready — because every corner of this town is worth exploring. Experience a different kind of slow living by delving into Mui Wo’s history and natural beauty; it’s a journey of mindfulness and discovery.

Mui Wo was once the transport hub of Lantau Island, with ferry services that served as the main mode of transport between Lantau Island and Hong Kong Island. Today, Mui Wo has evolved into a tranquil community with a lively town centre, making it an ideal spot for a family outing. This quaint town offers an abundance of natural scenery, culture, history, and glimpses of village life. So if you are looking for an easy weekend day trip, head over to Mui Wo for a “city walk” with the family and indulge in Mui Wo’s picturesque scenery and its coveted slow living — the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Silver River – Mui Wo’s Longest River

From Mui Wo Pier, walk along Ngan Kwong Wan Road and you’ll encounter the famous Silver River, also known as Mui Wo River. This is a confluence of several rivers and streams, and it leads to the Silvermine Waterfall and Silvermine Cave. As you continue along Silver River, you’ll also see many fishing boats moored along the river, which hint at the beautiful human-nature connection in Mui Wo. At the end of this road, you’ll come across the stately Yuen’s Mansion.

The upstream of the Silver River is largely untouched by humans. It is situated within the Butterfly Hill Conservation Area and flows through the Silvermine Waterfall and Silvermine Cave.

Admire Yuen's Mansion for a Piece of WWII History
Walk along the riverfront for approximately 15 minutes and you’ll come to Yuen’s Mansion. This magnificent fortress-like mansion, also known as Yu Tak Lee Wai, was built around the 1920s-1940s by Yuen Wah-chiu, a former committee member of the Chinese Nationalist Party. It comprises six buildings, including the Main House, Front House, Barn, East Watchtower, West Watchtower and Small House attached to East Watchtower. In 2009, the entire complex was classified as a Grade II Historic Building by the Hong Kong Antiquities and Monuments Office.

There are a total of four watchtowers in all of Mui Wo and two of them are located in Yuen’s Mansion.

The design of Yuen’s Mansion not only showcases the power of folk wisdom, but it also highlights the influence of the Second World War. The entire complex is made of granite to keep the interior warm in winter and cool in summer. There’s a three-storey watchtower on both the east and west ends of the mansion. The stone walls of the towers are strong enough to withstand attacks from guns and explosives, while small windows and gun embrasures can be found on all four sides of the towers for monitoring and fighting enemies. During the Second World War, the two buildings served as guard towers and defended against attacks from the Japanese army.

Enter the World of Anime and Discover the Totoro Bus Stop
From Yuen’s Mansion, we will head towards Mui Wo Rural Committee Road and go for a brisk stroll along the Islands Nature Heritage Trail - Mui Wo Section. As you wander down this idyllic trail, you’ll come across a curious pavilion with leaf patterns printed on the top and a long bench made of faux wood. This adorable pavilion has a touch of anime-inspired whimsy and is colloquially known as the Hong Kong version of “Totoro Bus Stop”.

With the magnificent backdrop of trees and rolling hills, it’s always a good idea to stop by the “Totoro Bus Stop” for a family photo.

Silvermine Waterfall and Silvermine Cave
Continue on the trail for about 10 minutes and you’ll know that you’ve come to another tourist hotspot in Mui Wo – Silvermine Waterfall – when you start to hear the gentle sound of running water. This is also known as one of the most accessible waterfalls in Hong Kong.

Visit during the rainy season to experience the beauty and full force of the waterfall.

Next to the waterfall is the Silver Mine Bay Waterfall Garden with a beautiful Chinese-style pavilion. The waterfall is divided into two halves: the upper and lower waterfalls. The latter ends right by the Chinese-style pavilion, where you can sit and relax as you watch the cascades and listen to the music of nature.

The pavilion in the Silvermine Bay Waterfall Garden is where you can sit back and feel the sheer power of the waterfall. Snap a selfie or two while you’re at it.

Origin of the Silvermine Cave
Continue ahead for a few more minutes, and you’ll come to an arch cave. This marks the entrance to the century-old Silver Mine. Historical records show that there was mining activity here as early as 1862. While it’s technically an iron ore mine, the cave did contain a small amount of silver, creating a silver rush and hence its name.

Research shows that the roof of the Silvermine Cave is made of metalware to support its weight, highlighting the age-old wisdom of miners.

Today, to ensure the safety of the public, the original brick wall of the Silvermine Cave has been raised to the height of the entrance. This site has since become a must-visit cultural checkpoint and Instagrammable spot for those visiting Mui Wo.

Get in for a family shot and witness Hong Kong’s history of mining.

Tips: While the Silvermine Cave has since been sealed and you’re advised not to enter, you may still take a selfie by the entrance – you did come all the way for it!

Travel Back to the 80s for Nostalgic Delicacies
Walk along the Islands Nature Heritage Trail - Mui Wo Section for another 20 minutes or so, and you’ll arrive at the next highlight of your trip: Mak Sun Kee on Chung Hau Street. Established in 1954, this Cantonese-style eatery has stood the test of time and still retains the traditional décor of an old Chinese restaurant, brimming with the ambiance of old Hong Kong.

Chris is the owner of Mak Sun Kee. He grew up in Mui Wo and studied in Australia when he was younger. He says that it’s the slow pace of life in Mui Wo that made him stay in this town. “Here, I don’t have to live and work at the same breakneck pace as in the city.”

Looking back at Mui Wo’s changes over the past 10 years, Chris believes it is still in a developing phase, with a constant influx of new shops and new faces. However, he says that if you go from the urban area to the rural side of Mui Wo, you’ll really feel the friendliness of the local residents and the strong bonding among neighbours. To Chris, this timeless human touch is the unique charm of Mui Wo.

Vintage movie posters line the walls of Mak Sun Kee, giving off a lovely “old Hong Kong” vibe.

When visiting Mui Wo, most people will only take photos of one or two major attractions. Chris recommends an alternative way to explore Mui Wo. He believes that the most important aspect of sightseeing in Mui Wo is to experience its lifestyle. If you’re looking for something romantic, try the beach where you can listen to the waves; if you want something lively, you can dine with your family at Chung Hau; or if you want to immerse yourself in Mui Wo's history and culture, visit the Silvermine Bay Waterfall and Silvermine Cave. You can also consider cycling instead of walking in both the urban and rural areas.

On your next holiday, come to Mui Wo with your family for a leisurely city walk. This easy half-day trip is where you can experience the local culture, lifestyle, nature, and historical sites of Mui Wo. And of course, snap tons of photos while you’re here – it’s a win for everyone.

 

How to get to Mui Wo Ferry Pier
1.
Take bus 3M from Tung Chung Town Centre and alight at Mui Wo Ferry Pier; or
2.
Take the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo