Location
Hills, water, trees and flowers - all the elements of the ideal Chinese landscape are to be found in the Plover Cove, Plover Cove Extension and Pat Sin Leng Country Parks. Much of the water in this area of the north-eastern New Territories consists of man-made s from the vast area of Plover Cove itself to the miniature delights of Hok Tau and Lau Shui Heung reservoirs.
The Plover Cove Extension Country Park embraces seven off-shore islands which form some of Hong Kong's most beautiful coastal scenery. The island of Ping Chau in remotest Mirs Bay has long been popular with weekend visitors from the city, but the park boundary now also includes parts of Kat O Chau ; Tui Min Chau; Ngo Mei Chau ; Wong Wan Chau ; Wu Yeung Chau; and Chek Chau which is located in Mirs Bay, near the mouth of Tolo Channel and Long Harbour.
Characteristics
Landscape
Most parts of the Plover Cove Country Parks are dominated by views of water in one direction and by the massive range of hills which bisects the area. The Pat Sin Leng Country Park meets the Plover Cove park and turns this part of the New Territories into a complete scenic reserve. The Pat Sin Range has one of those poetic names which Chinese nature lovers bestow on their favourite haunts. Literally meaning "Eight Immortals Range", these peaks are often wreathed in mist, making them all too believable an abode for spirits.
Wild animals
A Chau egretry is an islet outside the country park boundaries but it is scheduled under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance. Entry into the egretry is prohibited from April to September during the breeding season. Binoculars will give you a good view of the inhabitants of the untidy nests in the dense cluster of trees. The Chinese Pond Heron, Little Egret and Cattle Egret regularly nest here. Since 1972 a small number of Night Herons have also been annual visitors; they are now common here. The residents of this district have traditionally regarded the summer visitors as omens of good fortune and they have thus always been left to breed in peace, now reinforced by legislation.
Plants
This area has long been appreciated by local naturalists. The wooded valleys of the two streams which feed Bride's Pool contain many indigenous species of trees, with scarlet Rhododendron simsii lighting up the valley in spring. Other flowering shrubs line the banks of the valley, and the rocks near the waterfalls are ideal for ferns, begonias and orchids. Like all Hong Kong's wild flowers, these are protected by law and visitors who pick them are liable to prosecution.
Places to go
The highest peak in the Pat Sin Range rises over 550 metres and thus only the more experienced hikers should attempt to walk along these hills - and in fine weather. A four-kilometres nature trail has been laid out from the Tai Mei Tuk Management Centre and back to Bride's Pool. The terrain is rugged in parts, however, and not recommended for casual walkers.
Hok Tau, Lau Shui Heung, Sha Lo Tung and Tsat Muk Kiu all provide good starting points for exploring the Pat Sin Range from the Sha Tau Kok roadside. Barbecue, picnic and camping sites here, as in the vicinity of Plover Cove, make this a natural base for serious exploration.
The Lau Shui Heung and Hok Tau Country Trails are also ideal for hiking.
Transportation
Recreation sites are accessible by taking bus and public light bus. Moreover, limited car park spaces are also available at the roadside recreation sites.
* Bus:
** 75K to Tai Mei Tuk.
** 275R Tai Po Market KCR to Bride's Pool
* PLB :
** 56K to Luk Keng
** 52K Fanling KCR to Hok Tau
* Ferry: Ma Liu Shui to Ping Chau only available on weekend, Sunday and Public Holiday.
External links and references
* Initial text based on information provided by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department , under the provision that the re-dissemination or reproduction is for non-commercial use.
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