Ma On Shan Country Park
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Some of Hong Kong's most dramatic scenery is to be found within the boundaries of the Ma On Shan Country Park (Chinese: 馬鞍山郊野公園). The park was established on April 27, 1979. Located in the central neck of the Sai Kung peninsula in the eastern New Territories, this covers 28.8 square kilometres. This park links the Sai Kung Country Park and Lion Rock Country Park to form an extensive recreation area on the Ma On Shan massif.
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[edit] Sightseeing
Apart from a charming, separate section of the park of the Hebe Haven peninsula, much on the Ma On Shan Country Park is inland. Distant vistas of the sea and off-shore islands open up from many of the high vantage points within the park's boundaries, but most of the exploring keeps you far from the coast.
[edit] Iron mine of Ma On Shan
Iron mining has for long been carried out at Ma On Shan. The lease of the mine expired in 1981 and activity has meanwhile diminished as the quality of the ore has declined. Concealed mine shafts and man-made scree slopes are potentially dangerous and the area around the mine - excluded from the park, although surrounded by it - should be explored with care.
[edit] Vegetation
Most of these hills are rather bare in terms of vegetation. Their inaccessibility made it uneconomic to carry out afforestation when tree planting was necessary for fuel supply; the mainly volcanic slopes are inhospitable to all but the hardiest plants. Nevertheless some unusual pockets of vegetation have survived over the years and even the ruined slopes of Ma On Shan are notable for their wild rhododendron, orchids and some unusual ferns.
[edit] Wildlife
As can be imagined, such secluded and unspoilt surroundings have fostered an interesting range of wildlife within the park. Pangolin, barking deer, porcupine and wild boar are still spotted from time to time.
[edit] Hiking trails
- Ma On Shan Country Trail - From Ma On Shan Village to Tai Shui Tseng via Ngong Ping.
- Wilson Trail - Stage 4 is from Tseng Lan Shue to Shatin Pass via Tai Lo Au.
- MacLehose Trail - Stage 4 & 5, starting from Kei Ling Ha to Tate's Cairn (Gilwell Campsite) and then to Tai Po Road via Shatin Pass.
[edit] See also
- Geography of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Country Parks & Special Areas
- List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
[edit] External links and references
- Initial text based on information provided by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), under the provision that the re-dissemination or reproduction is for non-commercial use. [1]
- AFCD Ma On Shan
