Vignettes of the World
We left Simpson’s Gap in less than an hour and arrived at Standley Chasm soon. The Standley Chasm measures 80 meters in height and 5 meters in width. To the Western Arrernte aborigines, who are its original occupiers, Stanley Chasm is known as Angkerle Atwatye, meaning “the …
The tour left Standley Chasm for Ellery Creek, where we would have our picnic lunch. The Ellery Creek Big Hole is an oasis in the desert, with a body of water large enough in which to swim. In fact, the Ellery Creek Big Hole is …
In the last entry on the Ellery Creek Big Hole, I noted that the colors of the desert evoked an unexpected marvel upon my sensations. Perhaps that observation has come into full focus at the Ochre Pits. It is said that the Ochre Pits is …
Pat Sin Leng, because of its ridge of eight rolling summits, is named after the Eight Immortals in Chinese folklore. The villagers called it “wang shan” instead. Therefore the village of Wang Shan Keuk means “the foothill of Pat Sin Leng.”
I arrived at the Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail, and parked right across from it at the Lion Pavilion. On this trail the first part is a set of steps up for 25 to 30 minutes, arriving at the Wang Shan Keuk signpost. Go on the trail on the left, toward the Luk Keng direction for another 5-10 minutes to arriving at the first stream, passing the next sign post, again toward the Luk Keng direction. It would take 15 minutes to reach the Lower Wang Shan Keuk Village. After that, hike for another 15 minutes to Upper Wang Shan Keuk Village. Return on the same route.
The Wang Shan Keuk Village is a village of the Chan’s, a people of Hakka origin. The village belongs to one of the ten “yeuks” in the Shat Tau Kok restricted area. Back in the old times, the rural villages of the New Territories often formed these “yeuk’s” for purposes of sharing resources and defense. They are pockets of the rural community. Wan Shan Keuk Village belonged to the Nam (southern) Yeuk of the Sha Tau Kok area. I otherwise could not find much on the village’s history. Suffice to say, after leaving this site in the mountains circa 1950s, the New Wang Shan Keuk Village has moved to a location along the main Sha Tau Kok Road.
The Chan’s Ancestral Hall remains in ruins in the abandoned location in Upper Wang Shan Keuk Village.
The weather forecast for the day predicted high temperature in the range of 29-30 degrees during the day. For the first part of the hike up from the Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail, there was little shade and the steps were continuous for little more than half hour.
At the Wang Shan Keuk signpost, there is a crossroad. I went on the well-paved road on the right for about ten minutes, passing by many village graves, but eventually I turned back. I believe that this route would have led one onto a loop—therefore it should reach Wang Shan Keuk Upper Village first and loop back, but I cannot be sure because I turned back. At the cross road again, I took the route on the left and soon arrived at a beautiful stream. Eventually, I made it to the two village locations and returned on the same route.
Photo: At the Wang Shan Keuk Signpost. Take the route on the left at the crossroad.
Once entering the stream and the mountainous area, there were plenty of shades. In fact, the hike was very pleasant then, with gentle breezes throughout. The trail was a good combination of uphill steps, then gentle ups and downs with lots of flatland in between. What made it particularly pleasant was the trail being covered in stone slabs most of the way. This is the feature of the trail in its ancient roots, as this part of the trail is called Wang Tsat Ancient Path. The road was paved this way even during the village’s heyday to provide for passage.
Overall it was a very good exercise for me, about 7km of a hike, 10,000+steps and 40+ floors climbed.
The entrance of Pat Sing Leng Nature Trail is along the Bride’s Pool Road. By private car, there are parking areas next to the Lion Pavilion. Once on Ting Kok Road in Tai Po, pass the Tai Mei Tuk areas and keep going on Bride’s Pool Road. The Lion Pavilion will be on your right.
By bus, Line 275R runs along this section of Bride’s Pool Road, with final stop at Wu Kau Teng, during the weekends and public holidays. Otherwise, one would have to take Bus 75K or Green Top minibus 20C from the Tai Po Market MTR station to reach the final terminus at Tai Mei Tuk, then walk a good 15 minutes to the entrance of the Pat Sin Leng Nature Trail.
On this trail, there are at least three streams to cross before reaching the Upper Wang Shan Keuk Village. During the rainy season these could be danger points. Therefore do not go during a rainy day. I also advise against going on a hot day, as the first part of the hike has little shades throughout.
There is also the South Wang Shan Keuk Bridge further down from the Upper Wang Shan Keuk Village but this time I did not visit the site. I will save that for the next sojourn.
