Do you see that natural border? It is not just a line on a map. It is the Sham Chun River.
Sham Tuk is part of a fascinating story. The story is about a river that divides and connects. It separates Hong Kong from Mainland China.
The Sham Chun River is also known as the Shenzhen River. It stretches 37 km. It begins at Wutong Mountain in Shenzhen. It ends in Shenzhen Bay.
This river marked a limit. It was part of the 1898 lease of the New Territories. This was under the Second Convention of Peking.
Sham Tuk and the river separate districts. Yuen Long and North District in Hong Kong are on one side. Shenzhen in Guangdong is on the other.
Several rivers flow into the Sham Chun River. These include Ping Yuen River and Shek Sheung River. Sheung Yue River also joins. The Ng Tung River and Buji River are tributaries. Tan Shan River feeds it too. When full, Shenzhen Reservoir flows into the river.
The Sham Chun River flows into Deep Bay. This bay is also known as Hau Hoi Wan and Shenzhen Bay. Mai Po Marshes sits at the river’s end.
The river has faced problems. Flooding and pollution have been issues. Efforts have been made to fix these. River draining created the Lok Ma Chau Loop.
Many bridges cross the Sham Chun River. These crossings connect Hong Kong and Shenzhen. They include the International Bridge near Lin Ma Hang. Heung Yuen Wai Control Point also serves as a crossing. Other crossings are near Nga Yiu and Kaw Liu. Man Kam To Control Point is another option. Lo Wu Control Point is a busy crossing. There is also the Lo Wu Bridge for trains. Lok Ma Chau Control Point provides passage. The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point exists. Finally, the XRL Hong Kong Section uses a tunnel.
The Frontier Closed Area sits on Hong Kong’s side. It is a closed border zone next to the Sham Chun River.
So Sham Tuk stands near a river of division. The Sham Chun River has shaped borders and lives. It is a story of separation and connection. It shows efforts to manage nature. It highlights the ties between two places. This river’s journey continues. It flows towards the future.