Once, Sham Chung was a jewel. It sat in a basin ringed by hills within Sai Kung Country Park. But it suffered environmental vandalism. Today, let’s explore its story.
Sham Chung is a Hakka village. It is also an area of Neolithic settlement in Hong Kong. You will find it south of Tolo Channel. It nestles beside Three Fathoms Cove on the Sai Kung Peninsula.
Sham Chung is a recognized village. This is under the New Territories Small House Policy.
Late Paleolithic and Early Neolithic artifacts have been excavated nearby. The Wong Tei Tung site revealed these treasures.
The Lee clan first settled Sham Chung Village. Later, the Wong clan joined them. The Lees came from Wu Kau Tang. This was during the reign of Qianlong Emperor from 1736 to 1795. Sham Chung, Lai Chi Chong, and Pak Sha O shared close social ties.
In 1870, Father Luigi Piazzoli began missionary work here. He helped farmers build a dam.
In the late 1990s, plans emerged for a golf course. Sun Hung Kai Properties envisioned a recreation center here. In 1999, part of the wetland became a grass field. The Town Planning Board rejected the land use change.
Sham Chung divides into five areas. These are Ha Wai, Shek Tau King, Pao Wai Tsai, Wan Tsai and Dui Min Tsuen.
The Epiphany of Our Lord Chapel stands in Ha Wai. It is a former Catholic church. This is one of Sai Kung Peninsula’s historic churches. Established in 1879, it was rebuilt in 1956. The Kung Man School operated here. It once had 50 pupils and two teachers.
Sham Chung is home to diverse fauna. In 2006, 27 bird species lived here. Also, 19 freshwater fish species and 28 butterfly species thrived. Rare species include the Hong Kong paradise fish. Dragonflies like the sapphire flutterer also live here. At least 68 butterfly species call this place home.
In 2004, Sham Chung earned recognition. The Hong Kong Government listed it as an Ecologically Valued Conservation Site.
Sham Shung Coast is a belt of coast. It lies between Sham Chung Wan and Tung King Pai. This area was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1985. It holds rich fossil assemblages. These include bivalves and plant fossils.
You can reach Sham Chung by kai-to ferry. The route runs from Ma Liu Shui to Wong Shek Pier. The Sham Chung Pier dates back to the 1960s. Hiking paths connect Sham Chung to nearby villages.
But Sham Chung’s story took a turn. Former paddy fields were cleared. Much of this destruction occurred around 1998 and 1999. Sham Chung had been rated Hong Kong’s fifth best freshwater wetland.
An organization leased part of the land. They planned to create an organic farm. But it never seemed used. A few golf course holes were created. They too, were abandoned.
Villagers had sold their land to the developer. But they hadn’t received all they were promised.
In 1999, paradise fish were rescued. Research showed these were the Hong Kong paradise fish. Naturalists discovered the paradise fish survived in Sham Chung.
Today, Sham Chung attracts conservationists. There’s surely scope for an eco-tourist venture. It could benefit villagers and this wonderful place. Houses could become accommodation. Nature trails and cycling routes could be built. Sun Hung Kai has no development plans for Sham Chung. They can’t see potential without an access road. The wetland was trashed.