28/03/2019
High Island---Hexagonal stone
So close and yet so far – the ancient Maritime Silk Road revisited. Surprisingly, the staggered hexagonal rock formation, formed about 140 million years ago, stands not far from the city fringe. From Sai Kung Town, Hong Kong’s holiday hot spot, you can reach the East Dam of High Island Reservoir in about 40 minutes. This is the best place to see the world-class hexagonal rock columns. Towering columns rise in the distance, and the High Island Geo Trail takes you to the shore. There is a sea cave at the water’s edge. From there, a wooden boardwalk leads to a lookout where you can feel the force of wave erosion up close.
The East Dam was completed in the 1970’s. It is set on the east side of Kwun Mun Channel. Your tour guide will lead you on a journey back to the Ming dynasty several hundred years ago when many merchant ships sailed between mainland China and Southeast Asia. High Island Reservoir, which supplies potable water to Hong Kong today, was once a small channel and stopover point on the Maritime Silk Road.
All roads were built by people. Today, High Island Reservoir is a scenic location surrounded by sea and hills, with no sign of human settlement, but it was once the site of a thriving fishing village. The East Dam Half-day tour takes you to a forgotten fishing village that now lies submerged.
Hong Kong is more than a financial centre, and there is much more to see than dramatic rock formations and verdant hills. There are also colourful stories of Hong Kong’s heritage and struggle for success.
28/03/2019
Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden
Situated on the slopes of one of Hong Kong’s highest mountains, the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden has outdoor activities that will appeal to the whole family. The conservation centre’s paths take you wandering through vegetable gardens, greenhouses of beautiful flowers and plants, and scores of different animals. But it’s more than just a pretty face; the farm has also pioneered organic growth methods in Hong Kong, and helped introduce local strains of pigs and chickens, which you can see there.
This sprawling green sanctuary was originally established by the wealthy Kadoorie brothers to provide some aid to poor local farmers. Just inside the main gate, you can get a taste of what the old farming days of Hong Kong were like by visiting the Farm Museum, which features fascinating pictures and old farming implements.
Follow signs in the lower part of the farm to visit small pools housing waterfowl, including flamingos, and to check out deer in an enclosure. The farm extends up the side of the mountain and its higher reaches can be accessed by shuttle bus. If you’re keen for some sweeping views of the countryside, head to the top near the Kadoorie Brothers’ Memorial Pavilion. This area also features a wood and scrubland, which is a conservation area. If you are lucky, you just might see porcupines, pangolin or barking deer, although the best time to see them is at dusk as they’re mostly nocturnal.
You could spend hours wandering around the farm — it’s best to pick up a map at the entrance.
28/03/2019
Hong Kong Wetland Park
Hong Kong Wetland Park is a world-class ecotourism park that's a fantastic spot to enjoy some of Hong Kong’s unique flora and fauna. The park is also home to an impressive cast of wildlife, including birds, butterflies, dragonflies, amphibians, reptiles and fish. A visitor centre — Wetland Interactive World — and a 60-hectare Wetland Reserve will enhance your understanding and enjoyment of this ecosystem as you appreciate the beauty of nature and explore the amazing wildlife.
Wetland Interactive World
Inside Wetland Interactive World there are themed exhibition galleries, 3D cinema and trick art, a theatre and the Swamp Adventure indoor play area. The exhibitions showcase the importance of wetlands conservation and provide a hands-on experience of being a wetlands reporter. You can also take snapshots to capture fond memories with wetland celebrities. Just make sure you watch out for the singing fish!
28/03/2019
Mai Po Nature Reserve
Every winter, around 90,000 migratory birds take refuge in the marshes and mudflats of the internationally acclaimed Mai Po Nature Reserve. Of the 380 species of birds that inhabit the reserve, 35 are of global conservation concern including the Saunders’s gull and the black-faced spoonbill. Other critters such as otters, fiddler crabs and mudskippers also call the area home.
The best time for bird-watching is in the spring and autumn, when birds come to forage in the vicinity of Mai Po and the Inner Deep Bay wetlands, feeding on fish, shrimps and crabs among the mangroves.
The Mai Po Nature Reserve is listed in the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance of Hong Kong, so access to the area is restricted. Visitors can join a selection of organised tours that run throughout the year. Please visit World Wildlife Fund Hong Kong’s website for more information.
