Perched on the southern side of Tai Lam Country Park near Yuen Tun Old Village lies a hidden gem. It is a small ecological garden. This is the Tai Lam Ecological Garden. It is a place where nature’s wonders are showcased in miniature.
Tai Lam Ecological Garden offers areas dedicated to freshwater life. You can marvel at the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems. Discover the vibrant world of butterflies as they flit and flutter among colorful blooms. Explore the fascinating realm of ferns. Admire their intricate fronds and ancient lineage.
The Tai Lam Ecological Garden also features a diverse collection of shrubs. Appreciate their varied forms and textures. Observe the intriguing adaptations of carnivorous plants. They lure and trap unsuspecting insects.
The park itself is a sprawling haven of wooded hills and tranquil lakes. Tai Lam Country Park occupies 5412 hectares. That is 13373 acres. It extends over Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, and Tsuen Wan districts. Tai Lam Country Park is the second largest country park in Hong Kong.
Once upon a time, this land faced severe degradation. Repeated deforestation by settlers took its toll. Hill fires ravaged the landscape. Natural erosion further scarred the terrain. However, since the completion of Tai Lam Reservoir in the 1950s, afforestation efforts have yielded impressive results. The barren landscape has transformed into a lush domain.
The park’s transformation is a testament to human intervention. It is a story of ecological restoration. Most of the pioneer trees are exotic species. Slash pine and Chinese red pine thrive here. Brisbane box, swamp mahogany, and Taiwan acacia also flourish. Native trees have made a strong comeback too. Short-flowered machilus, castanopsis, and oak species are examples.
Tai Lam Country Park teems with life. Over 120 species of butterflies grace the park. That is nearly half of the total number in the city. Some species like the centaur oak blue and metallic cerulean are very rare. Reservoirs and settlement basins provide ideal habitat for fish. Nearly 40 species have been recorded in Tai Lam Chung Reservoir alone. This includes the rice fish, a species of conservation concern.
Herpetofauna also find refuge here. About 20 species of snakes, lizards, and frogs call this park home. You might spot a Chinese cobra, Chinese water skink, or Hong Kong cascade frog. Birds like little egrets and wild ducks also inhabit the park. Mammals such as pangolins, red muntjacs, and civets roam the woodlands.
The Tai Lam Chung Reservoir is a sight to behold. It is locally known as Thousand Island Lake. Numerous islets dot its surface. They create a picturesque landscape. It is the park’s top attraction. The valley filled by the reservoir contains many hillocks. These hillocks have turned into verdant islands of various shapes and sizes.
The Reservoir Islands Viewpoint offers the best panoramic views. It is a short detour from Section 10 of the MacLehose Trail. The hike to the viewpoint is suitable for most people.
Tai Lam Country Park also has a rich history. Seven villages were founded by ethnic Hakka people. They migrated to Hong Kong from Guangdong province. The oldest villages date back about 400 years. The villagers traditionally grew rice in the valley near the park.
The construction of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir led to the relocation of two villages in the 1950s. Many other villages were abandoned in the 1970s and 1980s. Villagers sought more convenient locations. Only two villages are still inhabited today.
Tai Lam Chung Reservoir was completed in 1957. It was a massive engineering project. It aimed to supply water to a booming population after World War II. While more reservoirs were built later, imported water from mainland China ultimately solved the water shortage.
Today, Tai Lam Chung is one of three reservoirs that store imported water. The Tai Lam Ecological Garden encapsulates the essence of Tai Lam Country Park. It is a reminder of nature’s resilience. It showcases the delicate interplay of life.