Tai Lam Chung Reservoir
One cannot help but be in awe of arresting natural sights like Taal Lake, which is located in the caldera of an active volcano in the Philippines, as well as the prismatic springs of Yellowstone, the imposing redwoods of California, the stoic cliff faces of Venezuela's Gran Sabana, and China's Wulingyuan Canyons.
Have you ever heard of a reservoir filled with countless islands among these stunning natural landscapes? Day-trippers flock to this remote part of Tuen Mun for a glimpse of nature that sprawls out before you like the fantastical panoramas of a James Cameron film. If you want to see the fabled sight of a thousand islands dotting the horizon for yourself, keep reading.
Tai Lam Chung Reservoir in Tuen Mun is the first reservoir built in Hong Kong following the end of World War II and is home to what is known as the "Thousand Island Lake" locally. The structure, which is more than 50 years old and is made up of four dams that cross the valley, took five years to build.
The marvelous geological formations in the waters of the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir, where one can gaze in awe at what appears to be a lake of countless small islands, are, of course, its main draws. What you may not have realized is that these islands were once hills, and their current state is the result of catchwater flooding the Tai Lam Chung Valley! Thus, its nickname was derived from the man-made Qiandao Lake, the original "Thousand Island Lake" in Zhejiang Province, China, which has 1,078 large islands dotting the waters!
The majority of the time, getting to the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir is more of a leisurely uphill walk than a hike. This hike is appropriate for visitors of all ages, including those with four-legged friends and furry babies, and is almost entirely paved (until you reach the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir Viewing Point). Be aware that accessing the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir Viewing Point requires little effort, if you want to reach the more remote viewing points, you should wear appropriate footwear because the descent can be hazardous due to the path being littered with sand and slippery areas.
The Tai Lam Chung Reservoir hike begins at So Kwun Wat Tsuen in Tuen Mun. So Kwun Wat Tsuen is a rural village located near the Hong Kong Gold Coast and is easily accessible by minibus from Tuen Mun Station. You can also take the 962B bus from Causeway Bay, the 252B bus from Tsim Sha Tsui, the 52X bus from Mong Kok, and the 53 bus from Tsuen Wan to Hong Kong Gold Coast and walk over to So Kwun Wat Tsuen. It is highly recommended to board minibusses 43 or 43S at the first stop at San Hui Market when traveling to Tai Lam Chung Reservoir over the weekend or on a public holiday because the minibus lines can be extremely long on these days.
Ascend the hiking trail until you see the Reservoir Islands Viewpoint illustrated signpost. Simply climb the rocky steps to the top! You've arrived at Hong Kong's "Thousand Island Lake," where sloping valleys open up to a sweeping vista of bobbing landmasses. You may have to wait a little longer depending on the day to get that epic "overlooking-the-reservoir" shot, as the Tai Lam Chung Reservoir Viewing Point can get quite crowded, especially on weekends and public holidays. Always use caution when photographing the cliff edge!
Although there are other, less accessible photo locations besides the clearly marked Tai Lam Chung Reservoir Viewing Point, we do not recommend inexperienced hikers to attempt them, especially without the proper heavy-duty footwear! They tend to lead downhill into slick terrain.
Location: Tai Lam Country Park, Tuen Mun District, New Territories, Hong Kong
