Tai Mo Shan Country Park

Did you know Tai Mo Shan Country Park is home to Hong Kong’s highest peak? Tai Mo Shan, meaning “Big Hat Hill,” rises 957 meters above sea level. Locals often call it “Big Mist Hill” due to the frequent fog. Tai Mo Shan Country Park offers a variety of experiences for hikers and non-hikers alike. The park covers 1,440 hectares and connects to Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve and Shing Mun Country Park. Located in the heart of the New Territories, its western border touches Tai Lam Country Park, separated by Route Twisk. The park’s northern edge meets Lam Tsuen Valley. Beyond Tai Mo Shan, the park boasts four other hills, including Wo Yang Shan, often called “fake Tai Mo Shan.” Tsuen Wan is the closest urban area to the park. The high humidity of Tai Mo Shan Country Park often results in fog. This is due to moisture from the sea condensing on the hillsides. Rainfall is 30% higher than in the rest of the city. The peak’s high elevation occasionally brings temperatures below freezing. This rare occurrence of frost draws crowds eager to witness the icy spectacle. Tai Mo Shan’s volcanic past is evident in its rock formations. Predominantly volcanic rock, resistant to weathering, forms the landscape. These rocks, primarily coarse ash crystal tuffs, create boulders and tors across the hillsides. The surrounding valleys hold rich deposits of alluvial soil. Numerous streams and waterfalls, fed by abundant rainfall, flow through the park. These include the Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls. Part of the upstream Lam Tsuen River, the waterfalls formed as water flowed from hard crystal tuffs to softer granodiorite. The 35-meter main cascade of the Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls holds the title of Hong Kong’s longest waterfall. Elevation greatly impacts vegetation in Tai Mo Shan Country Park. Below 550 meters, secondary forests flourish. Above this height, shrubs and grasses dominate. This includes silvergrass and aromatic madder. Centuries ago, terraced tea plantations covered the southeastern foothills. They produced “mist tea” or “cloud tea.” However, these plantations were abandoned about a hundred years ago. Past farming practices have left some areas eroded and less fertile. The unique environment of Tai Mo Shan Country Park supports diverse wildlife. The Hong Kong balsam and the critically endangered two-tone twist orchid are among the endemic species. New species continue to be discovered, such as the lithophytic orchid, first described in 2014. The area around Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls teems with dragonflies and butterflies. This includes species like the common nawab, yellow orange tip, and white dragontail. Fireflies, including the unique Tai Mo Shan elephant firefly, also thrive here. Feral cattle roam the park, while porcupines and wild boars are more elusive. Over a hundred bird species, such as Bonelli’s eagle, grace the skies. Turtles, frogs, and snakes add to the rich biodiversity.