Shing Mun Reservoir
Shing Mun Reservoir, a well-liked family hiking location tucked between Tai Mo Shan and Kam Shan Country Parks, is the place to go to improve your picture-perfect memories. A variety of fauna, including butterflies, monkeys, cattle, and even wild pigs, call the reservoir region home. To fully experience this gorgeous setting surrounded by nature, stroll along the reservoir roads and paths. Stop by the paperbark trees for some Instagram-worthy pictures. Visit the War Relics Trail to see the remnants of the Second World War's hillside defenses if you're more interested in history.
A wonderful day out near Shing Mun Reservoir starts with a visit to the Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, which is enlightening and eye-opening. From the minibus stop, ascend the stairs to start a brief, kid-friendly trek amid the local flora and animals. Monkey groups were frequently visible at the country park, where they frequently hung around in the picnic areas in search of food. The name of the dam comes from the large number of Hakkas of the Cheung family who once lived in this region and founded multiple villages to cultivate rice and pineapples.
The main reservoir road is lined with white-colored paperbark trees, which get their name from their peeling bark and can grow up to 18 metres tall. Enjoy the soft sounds of birdsong and gently rushing water as you gaze at the row of paperbark trees that has now lined your path, making it an ideal location for photographs.
You can enter the "paperbark tree grove," a wooded respite, by turning off the main path to your right. Perhaps the most well-liked location in Shing Mun Reservoir for photos and movies, particularly wedding photos, is here. Take a moment to relax, snap a few pictures, and take in your surroundings. Don't miss this serene natural habitat, whether you decide to close your eyes and visualize yourself far away from everything or opt to take in the wonderful view from beneath the canopy of trees.
Take a brief two-minute diversion at the intersection at the top of the hill, and you'll find yourself with a breathtaking view of the reservoir. You are initially welcomed by a sweeping mountain horizon, which eventually unfolds as you progressively get closer to a pagoda. From this vantage point, the entire Shing Mun Reservoir is visible, with the striking Kwai Chung skyline in the background.
The Main Dam (also known as Gorge Dam) is important not only for supplying fresh water to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, but also for the local flora and fauna that thrive along the reservoir's banks. From here, you can see how nature's soft flowing lines contrast nicely with the dam's clean symmetry to create an Instagram-worthy scene. Furthermore, the dam offers views of both Hong Kong's iconic Lion Rock and the city's highest peak, Tai Mo Shan.
On the Shing Mun War Relics Trail, you can travel through time. You can reach the Shing Mun Redoubt, a 12-acre citadel that spans the Kwai Tsing and Sha Tin neighborhoods, by ascending the short, easy steps that go up from the barbecue pits. The citadel was given creative trench names, such Shaftesbury Avenue, to help the soldiers navigate. Before the Second World War (from around 1937 to 1938), a number of defense fortifications, including trenches, military marker stones, and pillboxes, were built along the 250-meter trail to protect it against attacks from the north. Please make sure you have enough water before going to the War Relics Trail. There are vending machines and a water filling station near the toilet in the barbecue area right before the trail.
Enjoy a well-deserved break at Lo Tak Court in Tsuen Wan after a long day of learning about nature and history. You may find a variety of intriguing street food alternatives in this urban courtyard, such as take-out dim sum, Hong Kong-style fish balls, and egg waffles, among the snack booths and cha chaan tengs (traditional local cafes).
Location: Shing Mun, the area between Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin, in the New Territories
