Did you know Pok Fu Lam Country Park Picnic Area Site No 1 boasts a history intertwined with Hong Kong’s water supply? This isn’t just any picnic spot. It’s nestled within a park established in 1979. This area is more than just a place for a relaxing lunch. It’s situated near Pok Fu Lam Reservoir the first reservoir built in Hong Kong.
Imagine the scene in 1863. The city was growing rapidly. Water was scarce. A reward was offered for a solution. S B Rawling a clerk with the Royal Engineers stepped forward. He proposed building a reservoir in this very valley. Pok Fu Lam Reservoir was the answer. It held 233000 cubic meters of water. It dramatically improved the lives of Hong Kong’s residents. This picnic area is a silent witness to this crucial moment in Hong Kong’s history.
The park itself is full of life. The air is alive with the sound of birdsong. You can find many different species including magpies bulbuls and robins. The trees themselves offer a mix of native and introduced species. There are Hong Kong gordonia and Chekiang machilus trees. You might even see a Pallas’s squirrel scampering amongst the branches.
This picnic area is more than just a place to eat. It’s a place where nature and history meet. It’s a place to relax and reflect. Consider the ingenuity of those who built the reservoir. Think about the wildlife that thrives in this green haven. And savor the moment. This is Pok Fu Lam Country Park Picnic Area Site No 1. This is your connection to a significant piece of Hong Kong’s past and present. Enjoy your picnic. Remember this place. Remember its story.