Peering up at Wong Kong Shan, one can’t help but wonder about the stories it holds. This peak is located in Fanling, North District, in Hong Kong’s New Territories. Wong Kong Shan’s average elevation is 223 feet. The minimum elevation is just three feet. The maximum height reaches 1,263 feet.
Wong Kong Shan offers a unique perspective of the surrounding area. Imagine standing at the summit. The views stretch across the New Territories. The hustle of Hong Kong seems a world away from Wong Kong Shan.
Perhaps you are interested in the history of the area around Wong Kong Shan? Mr. Wong Kok Shan was born in 1872 in Kwangtung province. He was educated at Queen’s College in Hongkong. In 1895, he became a teacher at Peiyang University of Tientsin. Later, he became an agent for the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company at Tientsin in 1896. He was awarded the brevet rank of Taotai by the government in 1902. In 1903, he became commissioner of the Canton-Hankow Railway. He held the same position on the Shanghai-Nanking Railway in 1905. By 1908, he was the commercial manager of the Han-yeh-ping Iron and Coal Company. In 1918, he became commercial manager of the Yangtsze Engineering Works at Hankow. He was the general manager of the Chung Hwa Steel Products Company, Ltd. of Shanghai. His story is one of great success in this region.
Wong Kong Shan is near Wutong Mountain. It is the tallest mountain in Shenzhen. It rises to 943.7 meters or 3,096 feet. Wutong Mountain is a state-level urban scenic area. It integrates mountains, the sea, and a lake. It also integrates landscape and city. Wutong offers views of Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
The name Wutong comes from the Classic of Poetry. It describes the Wutong tree. This tree makes the phoenix cry. The legend says, “Phoenix dwelling on Wutong Tree”. This legend is widely spread. It expresses good wishes for Wutong Mountain.
Centipede Mountain might be another name origin. The hills undulate like a centipede. The pronunciation is similar to Wutong. Thistle plants also have a similar pronunciation in Mandarin. Wutong might be named for its rich “strange grass of Chinese parasol tree”. These plants have high ornamental and medicinal value.
Wutong Mountain National Park covers 31.82 square kilometers. It nears the Mirs Bay of the South China Sea. It connects to Hong Kong. It borders on the Shenzhen Reservoir. Three main peaks exist. They are Small Wutong, Bean Curd Head, and Big Wutong. The Great Wutong is the highest peak in Shenzhen.
Wutong Mountain has vast vegetation. The forest coverage rate reaches 88.6%. Various types of forests grow here. These include seasonal rainforests and broad-leaf forests. “Ten miles of Rhododentron” and “Camellia flowers sea” create striking sceneries.
Wutong Mountain offers eight scenic blocks. These include “Musical Instrument in Phoenix Valley” and “Wutong Clouds”. “A Phoenix Perching on the Green Wutong” is another block. “East Lake Park” and “Fairy Lake Botanical Garden” also exist.
Wutong Mountain hosts 1,376 species of vascular plants. Also there are 537 species of insects and 196 species of animals.
Taoist culture is very famous here. Wutong Mountain has Taoist temples. These include Shang Qing Palace and Taoyuanxian Cave.
There are multiple trails to climb Wutong Mountain. Wutong Mountain Rd. North is the easiest. The Taishan Stream Trail is classic. Bitong Rd. is the longest and most challenging.
Every year a Hiking Festival is held here. It encourages national sports and tourism.
So, as you stand here before Wong Kong Shan, you are connected to nature and history. Take a deep breath. Enjoy the views. Remember the stories.