Vignettes of the World
The Chinese name of Amah Rock means the “husband-yearning rock.” “Why do you always go to these haunted places?” A good friend said when I told her that I would like to visit the Amah rock. Like so many places in Hong Kong that come …
I visited the Mount Davis Battery twice. On the first visit, I went on a sunny day and saw the Mount Davis Battery at mid-hill. I stopped short at seeing the command center on the hilltop. The steep incline was daunting. On my second visit, …
We aimed to do a short 1.5 hour walk from Pineapple Dam, but we asked for the wrong directions and ended up on the Shing Mun Reservoir Walk for three hours instead. But there were many pleasant surprises on the way.
As usual, we began at the Pineapple Dam. The Pineapple Nature Trail is a short upward hike for about half hour. The scenery on the way was pleasing, the water sang as we hiked along.
At the end of the trail we came upon a paved motorway. There was a sign but for some reason I simply could not read the map there. We resorted to asking for directions from fellow hikers, and we were told to take the path downward on our right. “You will get into a loop and eventually end up at Pineapple Dam again.”
We passed by many, many countless barbeque areas, and needless to say, there was no one doing bbq there due to the pandemic. What amazed us though were the picnic areas rather. Trees and pastures were abundant, and the fresh air boosted our mood significantly.
At this following crossroad, pick the path on your right, following the direction of Main Dam.
Photos from the Left: At the crossroad, take the path on the right (Main Dam).
Watch out for the Reservoir Walk posts and signs as shown in the next two photos.
We soon arrived at an open area with lots of broken trees and beautiful water scenery. We spent some time going around the area.
The road remains a paved road throughout the Reservoir Walk. Follow the round signposts. Along the way you will see an aerial view of Shing Mun Reservoir. There is some climbing, but on gradual incline and the walk is pleasant.
Photos: a panoramic view of the Shing Mun Reservoir
You will then pass through the dam, and go around the Shing Mun Valley area. There are many views of the reservoir along. After exiting the dam, again make a right to head back to the Pineapple Dam. This leg of the journey takes 20-25 minutes.
Overall, the hike took 3 to 3.5 hours, and we hurried through the last third of the trail because of a rainstorm. The first 2/3 was leisurely and very pleasant throughout.
We went by private car, and as usual we parked outside of the Pineapple Dam. By public transport: take green top minibus 82 to the final stop at Pineapple Dam.
Legend has it that a bride was carried through the pool in a wedding sedan chair on a rainy day. One of the carriers slipped and fell. The whole sedan chair fell into the pool. As a result the bride drowned. To remember this ill-fated …
Heritage, history, hiking, and happy dining – we did an all-in-one trip at Mei Ho House in Shek Kip Mei on a sunny afternoon. Trail at the Back The original intention of the day was to do a simple walk up the stairs behind Mei …
You may have noticed a big white cross on top of the mountain as you drive through Tai Wai into Shatin. The cross is part of the Tao Fong Shan Christian Center on Tao Fong Shan.
In its name, Tao Fong Shan may sound like it is a Taoist establishment. While it is a Christian institution, its history is relevant to the Taoist believers of Hong Kong. This following is a brief introduction on the website:
Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre was founded in 1930 by the Norwegian missionary Karl Ludvig Reichelt (1877-1952). Reichelt was sent to Hunan Province in China in 1904. There he gradually developed an idea to share the gospel with Buddhists. In 1922, he established Ching Fong Shan in Nanjing. In 1930, due to the chaos of the Chinese civil war, Reichelt moved his work to Shatin, Hong Kong, and asked a Danish architect, Johannes Prip-Moller (1889-1943) to design the buildings. On 13 March 1952, Reichelt died and was buried at the Tao Fong Shan cemetery..[i]
When I was young, the church circle would always organize retreats in Tao Fong Shan. Yet this would be my first time visiting the site and learning its Christian meanings. “Tao” refers to the logos, or “the way” in Christian theology (John 14:6). It is the fundamental tenet in Christianity, whereby salvation only comes through a true belief in Jesus Christ. “Fong,” the word for wind in Chinese, is a reference to “pneuma,” the Greek word for wind as well, and generally used to denote the Holy Spirit. “Shan” refers to the site being on a mountain.
My friend and I were amazed as we toured the main structures on Tao Fong Shan. They were unmistakably Chinese in their architecture. The Christ Temple, being the most prominent structure, was beautiful and every way more a “temple” than it is a “chapel.” Its primary appeal is to the believers of Asian religions. This certainly is a unique idea in Hong Kong. For churches and chapels of the colonial times, almost all others came with western architecture.
We made our way to the standing cross. We had to pass through a distinctively narrow opening. It refers to Jesus telling followers to enter Heavens through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14). I thought this was a very thoughtful setting. It was a physical manifestation of Jesus’ teaching. And as we passed through, I explained to my friend the Biblical meaning intended in this narrow path.
Finally, we went back to the Christ Temple. We went around and found a spot facing the mountain. We enjoyed the sunshine in this very tranquil spot. A leisurely walk around this area takes about an hour. Be sure to admire the beautiful aerial views of Shatin and Tai Wai as well.
Tao Fong Shan still provides accommodation for group and personal retreat today. I think this is the perfect place for one to quiet down, to practice meditation, and to write. Perhaps I should rent a room there for my writing projects.
From the Shatin MTR station, exit toward Pai Tau Village, then descend on the ramp. Once you reach the ground level, make a left (almost a u-turn) and enter the way to the village. You will see the signs pointing you to Tao Fong Shan there. Take the upward steps to your right when you see the crossroad. After about ten, fifteen minutes, you will come across the end of the steps. There are signs pointing you to the way up To Fong Shan Road. It is about another ten minutes up to reach the Tao Fong Shan Christian Center. The whole walk takes only a little over 20 minutes on a steady incline.
Photos: U Turn onto this path right along the ramp, and photo on the right shows the signs at the ramp.
Photo: The long stairs up is the path going toward Tao Fong Shan Road. This is the view on the ramp / footbridge.
On this sunny and hot day I headed out to the Kam Shan Country Park area. The plan was to visit Wilson Trail Section 6 off of the Kam Shan Family Walk. The trail exits at Tai Po Road. This area is known to hikers …
I do try, to the extent I can, to learn some Vietnamese. And I can only learn it by associating it with English, Cantonese and Mandarin. As the Vietnamese pronounce it, “Hue” is the English pronunciation of “hwei” the tone is a combination of the …
The Hok Tau Country Trail is delightful. There are two distinct sections of the trail, the latter part of which takes hikers through the villages and farms of Hok Tau. It is an easy trail of about 1.5 hours with some climbing, at a level just right for recreational hikers like me.
I went on a sunny day and the trail starts with generous shades. It begins with some steps up, for about ten minutes or so. Then it becomes an easy stroll, and one arrives at the viewing point soon. It shows a panoramic view of northern Hong Kong, with Tsung Shan, Ta Kwu Ling, Wo Keng Shan, Wu Tung Shan, Robin’s Nest, and Tan Chuk Hang on the horizon.
From afar one is able to view the skyline of Shenzhen, that is behind the beauty of Hong Kong’s rugged rural landscape. The skyline of Shenzhen has significant semblance with that of Hong Kong at the Victoria Harbor.
From the viewing point one would begin a descent into the valley. On the way are pleasing aerial views of the villages of Hok Tau. Despite the Hok Tau Reservoir being in the vicinity, there is no view of water except for a very small stream that runs through the village at the latter part of the trail.
Once having descended, one arrives at the country park sign, where you will see two ways. One seemingly leads to a motor way and the other is a walk into the village. From this point on, the Hok Tau Country Trail will take one through the many farms and village homes in this area. Therefore go onto the way on your immediate left (as you face the sign) and walk on the pedestrian way.
The farms in this area show significant human effort and maintenance. I could identify jackfruit, corn, pumpkin, papaya and bananas on the way. I also ran into some serious insect watchers. They were observing dragonfly mating on the streams. I came across at least two groups. Learned guides gave explanations to members that brought very serious photography gear.
The walk through the village was taking a while and I asked the wildlife tour guide whether I was on the right way. They confirmed that I was still on the Hok Tau Country Trail, and so I marched on. Soon I arrived at the exit point on Hok Tau Road. About 100 yards later I found my car at the parking lot.
How to get there:
I went by private car and parked at the Hok Tau Parking Lot on Hok Tau Road. For public transport, take green top minibus 52B at Fanling Station and get off at Hok Tau Wai, which is the final stop.
Reminders:
Bring a hat with you because the walk through the village has no shade at all. The walk through the village takes 20 to 30 minutes.
The North District Park is a horticultural innovation waiting to be discovered. Located between Sheung Shui and Fanling, the park has its northern end at the So Kwun Po village and stretches southward to the Fanling Wai Village. Carefully manicured gardens, beautiful pavilions, covered walkways …