Contemplate this: A verdant sanctuary cradled amid Hong Kong’s towering peaks. This is Shing Mun Country Park. Established in 1977 it covers 14 square kilometers. It extends from Lead Mine Pass to the Shing Mun catchwater road. Tai Mo Shan, Grassy Hill and Needle Hill mark its borders.
Shing Mun Country Park offers respite from city life. It is one of Hong Kong’s best loved leisure destinations. In 1971 the Government introduced a pilot program for countryside recreation facilities.
But its story began long before its official designation. In 1923 work commenced on the Shing Mun Reservoir. This was to meet urban Kowloon’s growing need for water. The original villagers of the Shing Mun Valley were resettled. This monumental project was completed in 1937.
Near the minibus terminus sits the Shing Mun Country Park Visitor Centre. Here you can explore exhibits about Shing Mun’s history. Discover background facts about the reservoir and the mining industry. You can also learn about war relics and Shing Mun Country Park’s biodiversity.
Inside the park lies the Shing Mun Arboretum. This is a wonderful place to appreciate Hong Kong’s flora.
Shing Mun Reservoir is the largest water storage facility at the foot of Tai Mo Shan. It measures 2 km in length. A winding lakeside path stretches for kilometers around the reservoir. The most relaxing way to experience its natural beauty is to stroll along the east bank. The trail starts at the northern end of the main dam. It meanders through the beautiful Shing Mun woodlands.
To the northwest of Shing Mun Reservoir is Tai Shing Stream. It runs from the uplands of Tai Mo Shan to the reservoir. Hikers named it Tai Shing Stream. It is a broad waterway with an exuberant flow.
Shing Mun Country Park is primarily granite and volcanic rock terrain. The uplands are mostly volcanic rock. The southern lowlands are formed by granite. The eastern region has rich tungsten reserves. Mining began here in 1936. The Shing Mun mines had an average monthly output of 30 tonnes.
To familiarize yourself with Shing Mun, check out the information board at the entrance. Barbecue areas are in the south and southeast near the dam. There are also toilets, a kiosk, and rain shelters.
Hiking for about an hour from the visitor center, you will reach the Shing Mun Arboretum. The 4-hectare arboretum was converted from abandoned rice terraces. Since the 1970s many flora species have been planted here. Now it has about 300 species native to Hong Kong or Southern China.
Shing Mun Country Park is famous for its woodlands. Near the reservoir is a fung shui woodland. It harbors magnificent old trees. Along Tai Shing Stream there is a dazzling show of flowering plants.
The Japanese Occupation during WWII took its toll on Shing Mun. Most slopes were denuded. Soon after the war, reforestation began. Today, Shing Mun is one of Hong Kong’s most important plantations.
The richest woodlands are in Shing Mun Valley. They make up a secluded Eden. Old stone walls are carpeted with moss.
Section 7 of the MacLehose Trail starts at the north end of the main dam. At the 532 m summit of Needle Hill, the grand landscape unfolds. Grassy Hill is a watershed. The vistas at the top are mesmerizing.
Remember the name Shing Mun. It is a place where history and nature intertwine. Shing Mun Country Park is a testament to Hong Kong’s enduring spirit. It offers both tranquility and adventure.