A Delightful Short Walk at the Ngau Wu Reservoir
The Ngau Wu Reservoir
The Ngau Wu Reservoir is an unusual reservoir in Hong Kong. It is not a government-run reservoir. Built at mid-stream of the Ngau Wu Stream, it wells fresh water flowing from Ngau Ngak Shan (the Hunch Backs).
The reservoir served the water needs of the Wu Kai Sha Children’s Garden (which was an orphanage) since 1963. The Children’s Garden ceased operation around the 1970s. Then the former site of the orphanage became the Wu Kai Sha Youth Village. One special feature, perhaps unique amongst Hong Kong’s water reservation facilities, is the V- shaped dam of the Ngau Wu Reservoir.
The reservoir is very small and it takes just one minute to walk (carefully) along the main dam. It is possible that even today the reservoir supplies water to the Wu Kai Sha Youth Village.
Ngau Ngak Shan, on the other hand, is the lower peak of Ma On Shan at a height of 677 metres. The Ngau Wu Reservoir lies at the low-to-mid level of the mountain, with Ngau Ngak Shan, standing tall and grand, on its back. There are well-known trails from Tiu Shau Ngam that lead hikers up to its peak and then the highest summit of Ma On Shan, but they are of the most difficult level. A short and easy walk to the Ngau Wu Reservoir would have to do for me, as I went alone on this really hot summer day. I spent a little more than two hours at Ngau Wu Reservoir.
How to Get There
There are a few sites in this area that are worth visiting. First of all, let’s head to the mountain from civilisation. At the Wu Kai Sha MTR station, take Exit B and walk toward Lee On Estate, on Sha On Street. Please do not enter Lee On Estate. At this point, which is right before you head into Lee On Estate, there is a small set of stairs down to a well-paved road.
Walk on the well-paved road all the way toward the very end. You will have climbed a few sets of stairs up, right beneath the highway. At the T intersection, make a right on the paved road, on a gentle incline.
Keep on going, and soon you will notice a graveyard for the indigenous villagers of the Wu Kai Sha Village. Thereafter, you will see a distinct section of the road with tall trees lining on two sides.
Perhaps within three to five minutes, keep watching to your left. There is a concrete structure, and the entrance to the mountainous path is right via this road by the concrete structure. In Chinese it says “up the mountain.”
Follow this path, and soon you will come across a crossroads. There are two metal racks on your left.
I first explored the path on the left, and it leads you to a man-made, very small pool of water. The steps up by the pool will lead you up the Ngau Wu Stream. Because we have seen quite a stretch of sunny days, the water was not voluminous. Yet the small stream was a pleasant rest point.
After visiting the man-made pool, I went back to the crossroads with the metal racks. I then took the path to the right, and went up to the Ngau Wu Reservoir.
When you see this crossroads, take the path on the left. This will take you to the main dam of the Ngau Wu Reservoir.
A photograph or two will do for this section of the sightseeing.
Head back to the beginning of the dam, and cross over the dam at this point.
It leads you to the small stretch of rocky shore that you see from a distance at the main dam. From this point, you see the tall buildings of Ma On Shan over the Ngau Wu Reservoir.
There was not enough water on this day, therefore the small “waterfall” did not even create a well of water at the rocky shore. As such, the shore was mostly dry.
Now head back to the main dam, climb back up and head over onto the path on your left.
At the next crossroads, take the path on your left and you will be heading to the small dam of the Ngau Wu Reservoir, with a small natural pool with water crystal clear. The path on your right would take you even further up-stream, but I did not do that this time.
The views are exceptional there as well, and I spent quite a bit of time sunbathing as I dipped my feet into the cool of the water.
Interesting Sights
At both the man-made pool and the natural pool at the small dam, I observed villagers collecting water from the up-streams. I thought that was very interesting. An older lady brought a few heavy-duty empty bottles (as in 5-litre bottles) with her. I asked her if she was indeed bringing all those back to civilization, and she said yes, it is not too much work for her.
At the man-made pool I saw an old man bathing there, and surely both pools are suitable for bathing. The water was so clear, and the scenery so serene, I thought I would come back with my swimsuit as well.
Gentle Reminders
The paths are mostly unpaved once you ascend onto the mountain. They are well-trodden roads, but quite rocky throughout. If not careful, you might easily sprain your ankle. The inclines are gentle and the path was generously shaded throughout, however, therefore do bring enough water and it should be an easy afternoon outing, perhaps suitable for older children as well.
Sources
Most of the historical descriptions on this entry came from the Wikipedia and Oasistrek.