Ma Tso Lung – Fish Ponds in Hong Kong’s Hinterland

Views of the fish ponds at Ma Tso Lung has become a hot spot for photo-taking in recent years, especially for sunset photos.  This area of the New Territories used to be restricted border area.  In 2013, the Hong Kong Government lifted the border restrictions and this area became available for public access.

Before the restrictions were lifted, Ma Tso Lung was hidden away and untouched by development.  There are the six villages of Ma Tso Lung Village, Liu Pok Village, Shun Yee San Tsuen Village, Tak Yuet Lau Village, Lok Ma Chau Village and Ha Wan Village.  Because of its seclusion, the natural habitat of Ma Tso Lung prided in the biodiversity to which it has given home.  A stretch of wetland spans all the way from San Tin in the west to Mai Po, Ma Tso Lung and eastward to Ng Tung River.  The abundance of fresh water marshes often greet rare migratory birds when they make their winter rounds into Hong Kong.

Although initially there were concerns that when the border restrictions were lifted the natural habitat of the once-remote Ma Tso Lung could come under danger from human traffic, it seemed to me that the area has remained, by and large, untouched.  I found the drive-through within the Ma Tso Lung Villages to be exceedingly pleasant.  It was a meandering path in tranquility.  These pockets of rural communities apparently live in peace, a quiet humility as shown in their understated abodes.

I finally found the way to the viewing point.  The wide-open views on a sunny summer day was very soothing.  The skyline of Shenzhen in the background makes an interesting juxtaposition to the rustic fish ponds in Hong Kong’s northern border.  The spot overlooks the Futian area of Shenzhen.  The pictures could have well been commercial stills for real estate marketing.

How to Get There

By private car, turn left onto Ma Tso Lung Road from Ho Sheung Heung Road and drive through the villages.  Remain on Ma Tso Lung Road until you reach Liu Pok Road.  Make a right onto Liu Pok Road, and watch out as you ascend the hill.  You will soon come across the first “intersection” where there is a way up further on your left.  Turn left onto this way and park when you see the stairs that lead up to the Ma Tso Lung Police Post (also known as the MacIntosh Cathedral).  Head up on foot, and right next to the gate to the Police Post, the way to the viewing point is on your right on a clearly trodden track.  Follow this track and you will see the fish ponds within five minutes.

Photo Above: the Ma Tso Lung Police Post (MacIntosh Cathedral)

Photo Below: the track on the right of the gate of the Police Post leads you to the viewing point

By public transport, take Minibus 51B and get off at Shun Yee San Tsuen.  Then head back on the same way until you reach the intersection of Ma Tso Lung and Liu Pok Road.  Go straight onto Liu Pok Road, head up on the hill, until you see the first opening to your left.  Turn left on that path up to reach the Ma Tso Lung Police Post (as with above).  The track to the viewing point is on the right of the gate of the Police Post.

Source

The Six Villages of Ma Tso Lung Opens, The Sun.