From the dramatic cliffs of Fa Shan, gaze upon Pin Chau. It’s a small island severed from the mainland, a testament to the relentless power of nature. Pin Chau, also known as Tai Chau, was once a cape of Fa Shan. Over millennia, the crashing waves carved a sea cave, which widened into a sea arch, and finally crumbled, leaving Pin Chau isolated. The island, part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, showcases magnificent hexagonal rock columns. These columns are a result of violent volcanic eruptions 140 million years ago. The cooling and contracting lava formed these unique, geometric structures. They look like a giant pipe organ rising from the sea. From a certain angle, the columns create an optical illusion. They appear as a cliff face holding back the azure waters, giving the impression of the edge of the world. This illusion echoes Pin Chau’s Chinese name, 破邊洲, meaning “Broken Edge Island”. While hikers can’t set foot on Pin Chau itself, the best view is from the concrete cross on the High Island Reservoir Geo Trail. From there, you can fully appreciate the island’s unique geology and dramatic separation from Fa Shan.
Sai Wan Shan
Considering a hike today? Sai Wan Shan is calling us. Sai Wan Shan is a hill within Sai Kung East