The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association (HKYHA) was established in 1973. Over the past 27 years, it has been promoting love and care for the countryside by providing budget, but clean and comfortable, accommodation in the scenic rural parts of Hong Kong. By issuing an internationally recognised membership card, the association also promotes cultural exchange by means of travel. HKYHA membership entitles members to use facilities of more than 3 600 youth hostels in over 76 countries. At end of 2000, about 26 000 individual members and 670 organisation-leader/school cardholders were enrolled with the association.

The HKYHA is a non-profit-making, non-political and non-religious organisation affiliated to the International Youth Hostel Federation. The association provides facilities and services to all, irrespective of race, creed or gender. It is managed by an executive committee comprising responsible and enthusiatic personalities in the local community. Being a non-government-subvented charity, the association is entirely dependent upon the support of members and well-wishers in financing its day-to-day operations.

The association runs seven youth hostels in Hong Kong: the Jockey Club Mount Davis Youth Hostel (formerly known as Ma Wui Hall) at Mount Davis, Hong Kong Island, where an extension wing has been completed with generous support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; the Bradbury Lodge at Tai Mei Tuk, north-eastern New Territories; Bradbury Hall at Chek Keng, Sai Kung East Country Park; Pak Sha O Youth Hostel at Pak Sha O, Sai Kung West Country Park; Sze Lok Yuen at Tai Mo Shan, Tai Mo Shan Country Park; the S. G. Davis Hostel at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island; and the Jockey Club Mong Tung Wan Hostel at Mong Tung Wan, Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island.

Renovation works were completed for Bradbury Hall and Sze Lok Yuen, through donations from the Sir David Trench Fund for Recreation. Upcoming projects include the renovation of the S. G. Davis Hostel, supported by the Hongkong Bank Foundation, the construction of a multi-purpose activity hall at Sze Lok Yuen, and the upgrading of facilities at various hostels as required by the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance, sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The association's volunteer services group organised a variety of hiking and outdoor activities during the year.