Following the warm response to last year’s “Walking in Peace” evening retreat with Ven. Ngawang Tenzin, we are delighted to extend the experience into a 2-day, 1-night immersive retreat this year.

In the fullness of summer, when nature is alive with vibrant energy, we warmly invite you to join us on a deeper journey into mindfulness, nature and inner stillness. Set within the tranquil forest sanctuary of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to step away from the demands of daily life and gently return to the present moment – through the body, the breath and the healing presence of nature.

At the heart of this retreat lies the simple yet profound practice of returning to the present moment. Through walking, breathing and sensing, we begin to soften the boundaries between ourselves and the living landscape around us. Step by step, we rediscover a sense of calm, clarity and kinship with the wider web of life.

Mindful Hiking, Qigong & Embodied Awareness

Walking meditation and gentle qigong practices form the core of this immersive experience. Through mindful hiking along the forest trails of KFBG, we cultivate presence in each step, allowing the rhythm of movement and breath to guide us into a state of quiet awareness. A highlight of the retreat is a contemplative hike towards Kwun Yum Shan, where we pause to take in expansive views and the subtle beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Complementing this, simple qigong movements support both relaxation and vitality by awakening the body’s natural energy flow, releasing tension and harmonising breath and movement. Together, these practices invite a deeper embodied connection – with ourselves, with one another and with the living world around us.

Important Notes:

• Route: The walk ascends from the lower hills (approx. 180m) to Kwun Yum Shan summit in stages. Walking time is about 90 minutes. The path is steep and requires a moderate level of fitness.
•  Not suitable for individuals with heart conditions, high blood pressure or knee problems.

Teacher
Venerable Ngawang Tenzin (Dr Alex Anderson)

Ven. Ngawang Tenzin began with an ecologist’s understanding of interdependence, but the rainforest soon led him to Buddhist meditation. Now ordained as a monk in the Sakya Tibetan tradition, he has also studied and practiced meditation under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village in France, at Mountain Spring near Sydney, and in Myanmar at Pa Auk Tawya. Also ordained in the Plum Village Order of Interbeing, an engaged Buddhist approach to the bodhisattva path, his practice is informed by Theravadin, Zen and Vajrayana methods of meditation and mindfulness, as well as Hatha yoga, Deep Ecology and his deep love of wild places. He currently lives in Australia, on Gumbaynggirr country on the Dorrigo Plateau, where he has a project to co-create community space for meditation, forest restoration and nature connection: http://www.gaiaforest.org.

Check out our previous KEP 2025 online talk with Ven. Ngawang Tenzin for more details about him.

Date 
15 - 16 August 2026 (Saturday to Sunday)

Time
starts at 3:00pm on first day and ends at 5:00pm on the last day
*Participants are expected to be in residence and participate in the entire programme. 

Venue
Workshops: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, and nearby areas
Accommodation: The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association - Jockey Club Beas River Lodge 

Language
English

Target Audience
Aged 18 years and above

Capacity
20 participants

Fee

• Course Fee: HK$1,400
  The course fee includes admission fees, programme activities, materials, vegetarian meals, and shuttle bus service between Tai Po Market MTR Station and the accommodation before and after the workshop.
• Accommodation (1 night): from HK$400 (varies by room type)
  Single rooms are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please click HERE for detailed information.

Application
Click HERE to apply on or before 8 August 2026.

• To apply for this retreat, please complete the enrolment form and pay the course fee as a deposit.
• The accommodation fee will be confirmed and paid later via email upon confirmation.
• Payment is not refundable after acceptance, unless the workshop is cancelled by KFBG due to inclement weather, under-enrolment or any other reason.

Enquiry
Contact Ms Holly Ho at 2483 7111 / Ms Joanna Li at 2483 7112 during office hours or email to holly.ho@kfbg.org.

Related Links

• Kadoorie Earth Programme (KEP) is an initiative co-created by KFBG and its network of collaborators and volunteers. By integrating the various strands of KFBG’s nature conservation, sustainable living and holistic education programmes, it provides life-transforming learning experiences that reconnect people with themselves, each other and the rest of nature and enable them to cultivate resilience in the face of global challenges.

• Nature Art Programmes: Immerse yourself in silent contemplation of nature. Deepen your awareness of beauty and connect with nature through art. KFBG organises a variety of art workshops including Zentangle drawing, sketching and wood art, and exhibitions to guide participants, with or without artistic background, to create nature art.

• Nature Education Programmes: Become animal detectives and explore the mysteries of wild animals. Use different senses to discover the beauty of plants. Learn about the significance of forest, trees and even soils through field visits, experiments and woodwork, to reconnect with nature.

• Group Guided Tours: Led by trained environmental interpreters, the content includes experiential and hands-on activities. We encourage a passion for nature, conservation and ecology by nurturing an appreciation of the natural world.
  
  
• Corporate Programmes: Our Holistic Education Department staff can design either half-day or full-day nature education and art programmes for  corporate staff or their family members based on specific needs. Leveraging the unique natural landscape and cultural ambiance of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, our activities may include guided tours, farm-to-table experiences, nature-based workshops, talks and art activities, aiming to promote understanding and practice of sustainable living for organisations.