If you are into History and WW2 history in particular then this really is something you should consider. But it’s more than that. You will see parts of Hong Kong that many of the locals haven’t even seen. The primary focus is telling the story of the battle for Hong Kong. But secondary is some tremendous scenery and the most beautiful views. 

Martin Heyes is the guide. Ex-British Army Officer (The Cheshires) and Ex-Royal Hong Kong Police and Hong Kong Resident for over 40 years. Transport is facilitated to the various locations and included in the price. Martin’s local knowledge, guidance and ability to converse in Cantonese is both impressive and essential. 

I’d been to Hong Kong before but stayed on the island. I was self serving and although I saw things there was a lot I didn’t. I only found out about the WW2 tours later and I really wanted to come back to see the impressive Gin Drinkers line which is very much still intact. This time I stayed in Kowloon and this time in advance, I organised 3 tours. The organisers were really helpful and went out of their way to accommodate me out of season. 

My first tour was the Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail. Many people think that Hong Kong is all city. It’s not. There are plenty of hills and these are often country parks. There are many hiking trails. This one takes you to where there was bitter fighting between the Canadians and Japanese. A VC was won here. Martin sets the scene and brilliantly tells the story. There are various buildings remaining culminating with a couple of pill boxes near the top. There are some spectacular views across the city and especially towards Aberdeen and repulse bay. It’s a lovely trail, but not remote so quite easy to get to. 

The second tour was the Shing Mun Redoubt. This is on the Gin Drinkers Line and is a really impressive set of defensive positions covering a hill side. Martin knows his stuff and will comprehensively go over the battle and the context is was set in. Regardless of whether WW2 is of interest it’s another opportunity to be taken to a beautiful country park with some cracking views. This is the Wilson Trail. and you get a good view of Lion Rock on the one side and western New Territories on the other. If you want to see monkeys, squirrels and butterflies as big as birds then this is the tour for you. 

The final tour I did was the Devil’s Peak. This perhaps had less WW2 history but was crucial as it overlooked the Japanese landing grounds on the Island. The channel is narrowest here and from the Devil’s peak you really get a sense of how difficult it was to defend the island. The views here were the best of any of the tours I did. Simply breathtaking. The redoubt at the top is very impressive. These positions were abandoned during the retreat and any damage is largely done by the Empire troops shelling the Japanese who had taken over the position. As part of the tour, you’ll descend and cross over to the island by ferry from Sam Ka Tseun. The tour ends at the Museum of Coastal Defence which is free to enter, but Martin will set the scene. I spent a few hours here but could have spent much longer. 

All in all I was very happy with these tours. I recommend them. It’s good to get out and about and with a local guide who really knows the island and his stuff. I don’t think it’s possible to meet someone as courteous, knowledgeable and amiable as Martin Heyes.

Had a very fulfilling time being guided across 3 separate battlefield tours by the extremely knowledgeable, personable Martin Heyes, who knew virtually everything pertaining to Hong Kong Dec 1941 as well as the subsequent years of Japanese occupation, as well as where all the relevant powerful historical sites are ! We had a powerful time checking out most major locations pertaining to HK 1941-45, even though the extreme hot humid weather, with intermittent rain, was quite a challenge that however I knew what to expect, being an Australian :) Martin was also very gracious in building a certain level of flexibility into my plans as to where to go, what to do next etc, as well as even providing a few tips on other sites of interest which weren't on the itinerary, but which I could do on my own - such as Sai Wan Cemetery or museums like the Museum of Coastal Defence :) Highly recommend Walk Hong Kong for the WWII tours for any History buff, very much value Martin tremendously for his expertise in every aspect ! ML

I did the WWII tour in Shing Mun led by Martin Heyes with my two teenagers. Despite having grown up in HK, I had no idea such interesting history is on the doorstep. The history obsessed teen was impressed by Martin’s extensive and comprehensive knowledge, which was delivered to exactly the correct level, a mixture between layman’s interest and in-depth analysis. My other teen learnt it all for the first time and was equally engaged. They were especially thrilled when we went off the trail and fought our way through the bushes. A very enjoyable day!

I joined a World War II walking tour centred around the Wong Nai Chung Gap. Martin Heyes was my guide and he was just excellent, weaving the points we encountered into the broader narrative of Japan's invasion and occupation of Hong Kong during this time. I learned a great deal and really enjoyed the 3.5-hour experience. I would highly recommend it.

We absolutely loved our hike through Lamma Island yesterday. At several stops, Gabi was able to share the local stories of small villages and touch upon Hong Kong's geography, history, and culture. As someone that speaks fluent Cantonese, I was amazed to see how easily Gabi can ask a quick question passing by locals. Definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a comfortable hike across Lamma Island and looking to spend a day discovering the other face of Hong Kong outside the busy city centers.

Nice walk and good view, I had a wonderful weekend afternoon time with my boys, an easy and relax pathway, recommended for everyone

Martin took us into the past and with an engaging narrative we felt as if we'd witnessed the battle for Hong Kong. This is a powerful experience that'll leave anyone in awe of Hong Kong's WW2 history. Thank you Martin!

So glad I finally got around do taking the Hong Kong Wong Nai Chung Gap Guided Walk with Martin Heyes this week. I have been living in Hong Kong for 10 years and had passed by some of the remaining World War II relics and various notices on the hiking trails without really appreciating what happened in the Battle of Hong Kong back in 1941. Walk Hong Kong’s Wong Nai Chung Gap trail provides an informative morning hike through a key area of the battle. Martin is a real authority on this crucial period in Hong Kong’s’ history and did a wonderful job explaining the lead up to the invasion and the resulting events impacting the entire Hong Kong Island and surrounding area. I would recommend this walk to tourists visiting Hong Kong who are interested in the Would Wat II history, as well as long term residents of Hong Kong. Thanks to Martin for this riveting walk and all the stories. Also, the recommended further reading and documentaries on this topic you kindly shared.

Thank you so much to Martin Heyes for tailoring a truly remarkable history walk of Stanley for my family. Martin is not only passionate about Hong Kong and her history - he also used to be head of the Stanley Police Station - so he has a fountain of private knowledge which he clearly thoroughly enjoys sharing. I've lived in Hong Kong for two decades and yet Martin was able to take me to so many places that I had no idea about and we were all enthralled by his war stories. Thank you so much Martin.

My partner and I went on a walking tour with Martin Heyes and we had chosen the Wong Ngai Chung Gap trail. Martin is really passionate about making sure we learn and understand and brought history to life. We come to Hong Kong for leisure so often that I feel like we should get to know the country better instead of just going out shopping and scratching the surface of it. I would recommend this tour for students and even if you are not a history buff this is a great experience to learn something important. Martin does tours for students as well in international schools as well. I'll definitely be doing more tours with Martin and Walk HK.

We did the WWII trail with Martin Heyes on 2nd Jan and it was a highlight of our trip to Hong Kong. We learnt about the battle for Hong Kong and more, when he realised we were Australian he explained the Australian connections to the battle and ongoing Japanese occupations, which was very interesting. Apart from the history we also saw a bit of Hong Kong we wouldn’t have visited. Can definitely recommend a tour with Martin if you are at all interested in history.

Fascinating day out visiting the Shing Mun redoubt British command post on the Gin Drinkers Line and how it was over run by the Japanese forces in WW2 prior to the fall of HK. Martin Heyes is a wonderful guide with more history and facts than an encyclopaedia. He kept my son and I busy scrambling through tunnels and pointing out pill boxes that still exist today hidden in the bush that most ramblers would miss entirely. A step back in time in beautiful country side.

Martin provided a tour interesting enough to satisfy any history buff. He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer most of my random questions about the events that took place. I highly recommend this trip and look forward to doing other tours he provides such as tour in Kowloon.

Martin Heyes took my 17 son and I for a tour along the Gin Drinkers Line in the New Territories. His enthusiasm was matched by his knowledge, and he was able to bring the place and the people who had served there to life. I would not hesitate to recommend this tour, and Martin specifically, to anyone interested in WW2 and keen to visit real, unrestored relics that one would not see otherwise.

Took my WWI & II obsessed 10 year old son on this walk and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We are already familiar with HK Country Parks but have never had the pleasure of Martin's deep knowledge of the defense of Hong Kong. We explored off the beaten track and through all the tunnels and defenses which make up the Shing Mun Redoubt.