Could an island named “Horse Excrement Island” truly be a geological wonder? Let’s discover the magic of Ma Shi Chau, right here in Hong Kong’s Tai Po District. Ma Shi Chau is part of the Ma Shi Chau Special Area, a Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. Don’t let the name fool you. This small, rocky island in Tolo Harbour holds secrets from a time long before dinosaurs roamed the earth. Ma Shi Chau boasts sedimentary rocks that are 280 million years old. These rocks are the second oldest in the region, placing them squarely in the Permian period.
Ma Shi Chau isn’t just a single island. It’s part of a larger area including Centre Island, Yeung Chau, and another unnamed islet. Together, they make up the 61-hectare Ma Shi Chau Special Area, designated in 1999. The entire area is under statutory protection, preserving this incredible geological heritage for generations to come. While you won’t find villages or striking scenery in the traditional sense, the beauty of Ma Shi Chau lies in its geological formations.
The island itself is relatively small, just 1.5 kilometers long and rising to a height of 114 meters. The Ma Shi Chau Nature Trail offers an easy hike along the southern coast. This trail meanders through a variety of rock formations, showcasing the island’s unique geological history. You’ll encounter sandstone, mudstone, quartzite, siltstone, and many other types of rocks, each with its own story to tell.
As you walk the trail, remember you’re treading on rocks older than the dinosaurs. Imagine a world ruled by early reptiles and bony fish, a world captured in the very stones beneath your feet. The views along the trail are equally captivating, with the Plover Cove Reservoir to the east and the Pat Sin Leng mountain range to the north. Keep an eye out for the unique kink-banding on the siltstone surfaces, a testament to the powerful earth movements that shaped this region. You might even see the Dragon Diving Into the Sea. This rock formation, called Lung Lok Shui, is a band of shale cutting across the beach, resembling the back of a dragon with its armored plates.
The journey to Ma Shi Chau is an adventure in itself. Start by taking the MTR to Tai Po Market Station, then hop on minibus 20K to Sam Mun Tsai. From there, walk across Yim Tin Tsai Island and a tombolo, a sandbar connecting the islands, to reach Ma Shi Chau. As you explore Ma Shi Chau, remember this island isn’t just a collection of rocks. It’s a window into the deep past, a testament to the incredible forces that shaped our planet. The island may be small, but its story is vast, spanning millions of years. So, the next time you hear the name “Horse Excrement Island,” remember the hidden wonders that lie within this unassuming gem in Hong Kong’s geological crown.