With travel restrictions in Hong Kong, residents have to make up for the lack of vacations with staycations, camping, hiking, and car camping. Yes, you read that right - car camping or locally known as “Shachuhaku,” is the latest outdoor activity that is becoming popular by the day in the city-state.

Today’s Kwiksure article will explore all popular car camping locations, amenities, and prices. The good news is that many of the camping sites have camping amenities for rent. So, don’t worry if you are a beginner or don’t have camping equipment or even a car.

What is car camping?

Shachuhaku is a popular Japanese leisure where car owners transform the interior of their cars into living spaces. For example, they equip the vehicle with a TV, bed, folding tables, etc. 

Car camping is similar to the famous “van life” in the west. However, van life involves large campers instead of private cars or vans. They park their vehicles at a campsite before setting up tents and cooking. 

As for car camping in Hong Kong, many people drive to outdoor camps to set up tents. However, “Shachuhaku” involves more activities in the car than traditional camping.

What do I need for car camping?

You will need a car, but you can still go to the car camping sites to experience car camping or roof camping if you don't have one. There are comprehensive tools and facilities available for rental at these sites. 

If you are a car owner and want to experience car camping on your own - depending on where you go, you may have to buy your own equipment, such as tents, sleeping pads, camp lights, stoves, tables, chairs, etc.

Car camping site recommendations

Here is a list of car camping locations in Hong Kong where you can get away with your friends and family for an outdoor adventure that’s different from hiking, camping, and treks.

Natural Garden, Yuen Long

Covering an area of more than 100,000 sq. ft., Natural Garden is covered in greenery. Natural Garden also offers leadership training and stargazing camping. 

You will need to make a reservation in advance. The venue is fully equipped with a campfire area, shared refrigerators, hot and cold bathrooms, dishes, etc.

Campers can bring their camping supplies or rent equipment from the venue. There are 2, 3, 4, and multi-person rental packages. The camping site turns off the lights every night at 9 o'clock and suspends all activities to maintain a quiet environment. Pets are not allowed inside.

Covering an area of more than 100,000 sq. ft., Natural Garden is covered in greenery. Natural Garden also offers leadership training and stargazing camping. 

You will need to make a reservation in advance. The venue is fully equipped with a campfire area, shared refrigerators, hot and cold bathrooms, dishes, etc.

Campers can bring their camping supplies or rent equipment from the venue. There are 2, 3, 4, and multi-person rental packages. The camping site turns off the lights every night at 9 o'clock and suspends all activities to maintain a quiet environment. Pets are not allowed inside.

Carpus & Co., Sheung Shui

The Carpus & Co. covers an area of about 22,000 sq. ft. The campsite is located in Fu Tei Au Village, Sheung Shui, and can accommodate 20 vehicles and 80 people simultaneously. 

While the large grass fields take your breath away, the firewood area in the center will leave you mesmerized by the end of the night.

The venue is fully equipped, including kitchen sinks, fresh water pipes, hot showers, toilets, etc. 

There are herbs available for free picking and bicycles available for rent. You can go stargazing and maybe even spot fireflies at night. Carpus & Co. is a pet-friendly venue but only admits up to 4 pets per day at HKD $200 each.

Urban Quit Garden, Kam Tin, Yuen Long

Urban Quit Garden, located in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, opened for camping in 2021. It covers an area of about 40,000 sq. ft. 

The campsite is newly designed and provides hot and cold showers, refrigerators, kitchen sinks, herb picking, etc. In addition, there is a large 40 sq. m. pool for the summer. 

The camp has specially set up a "Food Wise Station" to store unopened and unexpired food and beverages for everyone to use for free. Camp and parking spaces need to be booked in advance. If the number of applicants exceeds the capacity, the lottery system will determine the allocation.

TWGHs Ma Tso Lung Campsite, Kwu Tung, Sheung Shui

TWGHs Ma Tso Lung Campsite has 3,600 sq. m. of grassland and can park at least 30 private cars. 

Campers must make a booking three weeks in advance. You can rent equipment, such as tents, floor mats, camping tables, chairs, etc., at the campsite.

The venue also has multi-purpose lawns, football fields, cross-country cycling fields, fixed-point shooting training areas, multi-purpose activity sheds, and farming areas. 

Note that the campsite closes at 10 o'clock every night to prevent unauthorized entry and exit.

Autocamper – Tai Kong Po Farm

Unlike the rest of the campsites mentioned above, Autocamper is a campsite and a local roof camp rental store specializing in roof camping. For rental, they have roof tents, self-driving car camps, base camps, canopies, etc. 

The venue also provides refrigerators, barbecue grills, camping tables and chairs, and mobile power banks. 

However, the camp currently admits members only. All visits need to be reserved in advance, and walk-in appointments are not accepted.

Bula Land, Sha Tau Kok

Bula Land offers both ordinary campsites and a car-camping park. In addition, there are facilities like outdoor cooking areas, refrigerators, large ovens, hot shower rooms, and toilets available at the venue.

** All camp charges and details are subject to the official websites.

Secure car insurance before your camping trip

If something happens to your car during car camping, will your insurance cover it? Well, let's take a closer look at all the different aspects involved. 

First, we need to understand if the car owner has comprehensive insurance or only third-party liability. If it is the latter, then there is a high chance that the insurance company will not compensate. On the other hand, if it is complete insurance cover, the insurer is more likely to pay compensation when there is a problem with the car itself, such as a fire caused by a battery.

Second, we need to understand who caused the damage to the car. Say, the car owner caused a fire by cooking in the car, let's suppose you. Since your negligence caused it, the insurance company would not make any compensation. If a third party, such as your friend, caused the fire, the insurer would be more likely to pay compensation; but the insurance company may claim compensation from the party that caused the fire in the future.

There are car insurances that are specifically designed for car camping. Dah Sing Insurance has launched "Tesla Plus," which provides "car camping" protection to compensate the insured for traffic accidents caused during the drive or at the camping site. The policy offers personal accident coverage at up to HKD $350,000 per year.

In addition, if the car is parked at a private farm for camping, and there is any accident on-site resulting in personal injury or property damage, the compensation will depend on the venue's insurance.

As for the potential problems of vehicle modification for car camping, such as applying additional roof camps to private cars, note that according to the guidelines of the Transport Department, the current law requires that the body and accessories of all vehicles must be in excellent usable condition. After installing the relevant accessories, its body size must not exceed the "Road Traffic (Construction and Maintenance of Vehicles) Regulations" requirements. If the above conditions are taken care of, there is no need to apply to the Department to install roof racks.

Be a good citizen during car camping

While car camping, remember not to cause any disturbance to people or make loud noises, do not park in restricted areas, do not camp or set fires in country parks, and remember to take your rubbish away. You will respect fellow campers and not violate the law by following these rules.