Sai Kung Peninsula
Encyclopedia
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
in the easternmost part of the New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Its name comes from Sai Kung Town
Sai Kung Town
Sai Kung Town or simply Sai Kung is a town on Sai Kung Peninsula, facing the Sai Kung Hoi , part of Sai Kung District in the New Territories, Hong Kong...
in the central southern area of the peninsula. The southern part of the peninsula is administrated by Sai Kung District
Sai Kung District
Sai Kung District is the second largest district in Hong Kong in terms of area. It comprises the southern half of Sai Kung Peninsula and Clear Water Bay Peninsula in the New Territories plus a strip to the east of Kowloon. The administrative centre is Sai Kung Town but the district's population is...
, the north by Tai Po District
Tai Po District
Tai Po District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It covers the areas of Tai Po, Tai Po Kau, Ting Kok, Plover Cove and the northern part of Sai Kung Peninsula on both shores of Tolo Channel. It is located in the New Territories...
and the northwest by Sha Tin District
Sha Tin District
Sha Tin District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. One of the 9 districts located in the New Territories, it covers the areas of Sha Tin, Tai Wai, Ma On Shan, Fo Tan, Siu Lek Yuen and Ma Liu Shui . The district has the highest population...
.
Description
The vast area of land and sea of the peninsula remains untouched by urbanisation. Country parks cover most of the peninsula. The marine ecosystem in Hoi Ha WanHoi Ha Wan
Hoi Ha Wan or Jone's Cove is a bay at the north of Sai Kung Peninsula. It is a marine park in Hong Kong.The location has a high biological value, as it shows a high degree of biodiversity...
is protected by law. Sai Kung is also a popular place for hiking. The starting point for the 100 km MacLehose Trail
MacLehose Trail
The MacLehose Trail , opened on 26 October 1979, is a hiking trail that crosses much of the New Territories, starting from Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung, in the east to Tuen Mun in the west in the territory of Hong Kong. The whole trail is 100 kilometres long, marked by distance posts at 500m intervals...
is at Pak Tam Chung
Pak Tam Chung
Pak Tam Chung is an area in the southern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It is administratively under the Sai Kung District....
in Sai Kung.
There are also water sports sites along the shoreline offering kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
ing, snorkelling and swimming among other activities. In addition, Sai Kung's Hoi Ha Wan
Hoi Ha Wan
Hoi Ha Wan or Jone's Cove is a bay at the north of Sai Kung Peninsula. It is a marine park in Hong Kong.The location has a high biological value, as it shows a high degree of biodiversity...
(海下灣) is one of the most easily accessed coral dive sites in Hong Kong. It is suitable for diver training and for newly-certified divers.
As a former fishing village, Sai Kung Town
Sai Kung Town
Sai Kung Town or simply Sai Kung is a town on Sai Kung Peninsula, facing the Sai Kung Hoi , part of Sai Kung District in the New Territories, Hong Kong...
is a prime attraction for seafood lovers, locals and tourists alike. Visitors can stroll around the regional market center of Sai Kung Town or explore the back lanes, visit the Tin Hau
Matsu (goddess)
Mazu , also spelt Matsu, is the indigenous goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors, and is invoked as the patron deity of all Southern Chinese and East Asian persons...
Temple, feast on seafood or enjoy different delicacies at Western-style pubs and restaurants. There is also a famous dessert restaurant called Honeymoon Dessert that brings in many visitors from all over Hong Kong and even from abroad.
In northern Sai Kung Peninsula, there is also an area called Wong Shek
Wong Shek
Wong Shek is an area in the northern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula in Hong Kong. It is under the administration of Tai Po District. In the area, there are picnic facilities with views of the sea...
. There are places where people can barbecue and enjoy the view of the sea. However, to protect the natural environment of Wong Shek, the Government controls the number of vehicle entering the area. There is a gate at Pak Tam Chung
Pak Tam Chung
Pak Tam Chung is an area in the southern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It is administratively under the Sai Kung District....
on the way towards Wong Shek, only allowing vehicles with permits to go through.
Off the coast of the Sai Kung Peninsula, there are many outlying islands. On summer nights, many people hire small boats known as kai-to
Kai-to
The kai-to is a type of small, motorized ferry operating in Hong Kong. They are usually used to serve remote coastal settlements in the territory's outlying islands....
s or sampan
Sampan
A sampan is a relatively flat bottomed Chinese wooden boat from long. Some sampans include a small shelter on board, and may be used as a permanent habitation on inland waters. Sampans are generally used for transportation in coastal areas or rivers, and are often used as traditional fishing boats...
s to have leisurely trips through the island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
-dotted inland sea of Port Shelter
Port Shelter
Port Shelter, also known as Ngau Mei Hoi indigenously, is a harbour south of Sai Kung Peninsula in Hong Kong.-External links:*...
. Popular islands to visit include:
- Kau Sai ChauKau Sai ChauKau Sai Chau is an island located off the coast of Sai Kung of Hong Kong, with an area of 6.70 km², making it the 6th largest island of Hong Kong.-Geography:...
- Sharp IslandSharp IslandSharp Island is one of the largest islands in the Kiu Tsui Country Park located at Port Shelter of Sai Kung, Hong Kong. Tourists can go there for BBQ activities, fishing, swimming as well as diving....
(Kiu Tsui Chau) - High IslandHigh Island, Hong KongHigh Island or Leung Shuen Wan is a former island in the southeast of Sai Kung Peninsula, Hong Kong. The island was connected to the peninsula by two dams to enclose the Kwun Mun Channel and form the High Island Reservoir. The construction of the dam spanned 10 years from 1969 to 1979...
(Leung Shuen Wan Chau) - Pak Sha Chau (lit. white sand island)
- Yeung Chau (lit. sheep island)
- Yim Tin TsaiYim Tin Tsai (Sai Kung)Yim Tin Tsai is a small offshore island in Sai Kung, Hong Kong. There is no permanent population on the island.-Geography:...
(lit. little salt field)
Although Wong Shek and Hoi Ha Wan are geographically in the northern part of Sai Kung Peninsula, they are under the administration of Tai Po District
Tai Po
Tai Po is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It refers to the vicinity of the traditional market towns in the area presently known as Tai Po Old Market or Tai Po Kau Hui and the Tai Wo Town on the other side of the Lam Tsuen River, near the old Tai Po Market Station of the...
, due to their reliance on ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
transport from Tai Po
Tai Po
Tai Po is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It refers to the vicinity of the traditional market towns in the area presently known as Tai Po Old Market or Tai Po Kau Hui and the Tai Wo Town on the other side of the Lam Tsuen River, near the old Tai Po Market Station of the...
for access before the construction of roads.
History
From about the 14th century, fishing folks lived on boats in sheltered inlets in the Peninsula. They later founded small coastal villages, building temples in honour of Tin HauMatsu (goddess)
Mazu , also spelt Matsu, is the indigenous goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors, and is invoked as the patron deity of all Southern Chinese and East Asian persons...
and Hung Shing in places of permanent anchorage. In addition to coastal fishing, there were small supporting industries of salt-making and boat building.
Agricultural settlements began later and several villages already existed by the year 1660. Economic development began in the middle of the 19th century when Hong Kong was opened as a port. There was especially a prosperous kiln industry producing lime, bricks and tiles for supply Hong Kong during the early days. Sheung Yiu Village, once opened as a Folk Museum, was a good example of a fortified settlement well-known for lime-making in those days.
Until 1970, the part of Sai Kung beyond Tai Mong Tsai was still remote, reachable only on foot or by kai-to
Kai-to
The kai-to is a type of small, motorized ferry operating in Hong Kong. They are usually used to serve remote coastal settlements in the territory's outlying islands....
s (local ferry). However work started in 1971 to create the High Island Reservoir
High Island Reservoir
The High Island Reservoir , located in the far south eastern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula, was opened in 1978 helping to alleviate water shortage problems in Hong Kong. Its water capacity is approximately 273 million cubic metres...
, with a capacity of 273 million cubic metres, by closing off both ends of the Kwun Mun Channel which separated the High Island
High Island, Hong Kong
High Island or Leung Shuen Wan is a former island in the southeast of Sai Kung Peninsula, Hong Kong. The island was connected to the peninsula by two dams to enclose the Kwun Mun Channel and form the High Island Reservoir. The construction of the dam spanned 10 years from 1969 to 1979...
from the main peninsula. IN 1979, the project was completed,providing also two new roads to the area. The city people can now reach a new and relatively unspoilt area for recreation.
Geology
The Sai Kung Peninsula and the islands near the coast are almost composed entirely of volcanic materials. Coarse tuffs are found in the northern and south-western parts of the Peninsula and Tap Mun area. Pyroclastic rocks with some lava are found in the eastern part of the Sharp PeakSharp Peak
Sharp Peak, also Nam She Tsim , lies to the north of Tai Long Wan on the Sai Kung Peninsula in Hong Kong. As its name suggests, it comprises a characteristic sharp peak, which rises to a height 468 metres. The hill is hard for hikers although it is a popular site for hiking in Hong Kong.Sharp Peak...
and Sham Chung
Sham Chung
Sham Chung is an area of Neolithic settlement in Hong Kong. It is located near Wong Tei Tung beside Three Fathoms Cove of Sai Kung Peninsula....
areas. Acid lavas are found in the area surrounding the High Island Reservoir
High Island Reservoir
The High Island Reservoir , located in the far south eastern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula, was opened in 1978 helping to alleviate water shortage problems in Hong Kong. Its water capacity is approximately 273 million cubic metres...
and the south islands such as Kau Sai Chau
Kau Sai Chau
Kau Sai Chau is an island located off the coast of Sai Kung of Hong Kong, with an area of 6.70 km², making it the 6th largest island of Hong Kong.-Geography:...
, Tiu Chung Chau and Basalt Island
Basalt Island
Basalt Island is an island of Hong Kong. Administratively it is part of Sai Kung District. Together with Wang Chau and Bluff Island, it forms the Ung Kong Group and is part of Hong Kong National Geopark.-History:...
, Banded acid lava with some welded tuffs are found in the central and southern shore of Pak Tam Chung
Pak Tam Chung
Pak Tam Chung is an area in the southern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It is administratively under the Sai Kung District....
area.
The most spectacular of all are the hexagonal columnar joints which are found near the east dam of the High Island Reservoir
High Island Reservoir
The High Island Reservoir , located in the far south eastern part of the Sai Kung Peninsula, was opened in 1978 helping to alleviate water shortage problems in Hong Kong. Its water capacity is approximately 273 million cubic metres...
and Po Pin Chau area. They are the results of the uniform cooling of tuff. This natural landscape is complemented by the nearby gigantic water works.
Along the south-eastern coast and on the offshore islands that are exposed to the easterly winds and sea waves, interesting landforms such as sea caves, stacks, arches and inlets add to the beauty of the natural landscape.
Vegetation
Grassland generally covers the hilltops, and across the Peninsula, there is an overall gradient from the grassland in the east to the woodland in the west.Grassland species are predominantly minireed, duck-beak grass and false staghorn fern. Shrubs cloth the lower slopes and species for Melastoma
Melastoma
Melastoma is a genus in the family Melastomataceae. It has about 50 species distributed around Southeast Asia, India, and Australia. It is undergoing taxonomic revision. Many species have been planted around the world for the aesthetic value of their bright purple flowers...
, Rhodomyrtus
Rhodomyrtus
Rhodomyrtus is a genus of 24 species of shrubs and trees in the family Myrtaceae. The genus is native to Asia, Malesia, Melanesia, and Australia. Its greatest levels of diversity are on New Guinea and in northeastern Australia. DNA sequence data and morphological data indicate that the genus is...
, Baeckea
Baeckea
Baeckea is a genus of 75 species of shrub in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. They are found in Australia, New Caledonia and Southeast Asia with Australia having the largest distribution.They are small shrubs closely resembling Leptospermum....
, Eurya
Eurya
Eurya is a genus of about 70 species of flowering plants in the Camellia family, Theaceae.Species include:* Eurya emarginata* Eurya japonica Thunb.* Eurya rapensis F.Brown* Eurya rengechiensis Yamamoto...
and Gordonia
Gordonia
Gordonia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae, related to Franklinia, Camellia and Stewartia. Of the roughly 40 species, all but two are native to southeast Asia in southern China, Taiwan and Indochina. The remaining species, G...
are commonly found.
Natural woodland, often in strips along the valleys or as patches behind villages are rich in native species of Machilus
Machilus
Machilus is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Lauraceae. Is distributed in temperate, tropical and subtropical Asia. Machilus genus include currently more than 100 species, mostly in laurel forest habitat.-Overview:...
, Litsea
Litsea
Litsea is a genus of evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs belonging to the Laurel family, Lauraceae. The genus includes 200 to 400 species in tropical and subtropical areas of both hemispheres.-Overview:Trees or shrubs, dioecious...
, Sapium
Sapium
Sapium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Euphorbiaceae, comprising about 125 species. The genus is native to the tropics, especially the Neotropics...
, Ficus
Ficus
Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiepiphyte in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The Common Fig Ficus is a genus of...
, Sterculia
Sterculia
Sterculia is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It was previously placed in the now obsolete Sterculiaceae. Members of the genus are colloquially known as tropical chestnuts...
and Schefflera
Schefflera
Schefflera is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araliaceae. The plants are trees, shrubs or lianas, growing tall, with woody stems and palmately compound leaves. The circumscription of the genus has varied greatly...
.
Forest plantations, the result of both direct government planting and government-assisted village planting in the 50's cover the hillslopes, are mostly in the western part of the Peninsula. Chinese Red Pine
Chinese Red Pine
The Chinese Red Pine Pinus tabuliformis is a pine native to northern China from Liaoning west to Inner Mongolia and Gansu, and south to Shandong, Henan and Shaanxi, and also northern Korea...
was the most important species planted and many of these old pines are now approaching senility and suffer from nematode attack. Fortunately the under-storey native broad-leafed tress are growing up to take their place.
The long and irregular coastline of the Peninsula also presents a wide variety of sea shore conditions for specialised and interesting plant communities to develop.
Wildlife
The grassy hillside of Sai Kung Peninsula have few birds. Around the picnic and barbecue sites, Crested Mynah and Eurasian Tree Sparrow may be seen feeding on scraps of left-over food. In patches of shrubs, Chinese Bulbul can commonly be seen feeding on berries. In the densely wooded areas species such as Crow Pheasant, Great TitGreat Tit
The Great Tit is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is a widespread and common species throughout Europe, the Middle East, Central and Northern Asia, and parts of North Africa in any sort of woodland. It is generally resident, and most Great Tits do not migrate except in extremely...
and White-eyed Magpie nest. The old fung shui woods are particularly attractive to winter visitors such as thrush
Thrush
-Birds:* Thrush , any of the many birds in the Turdidae family* Antthrush, any of a group of birds within the Formicariidae family* Dohrn's Thrush-babbler , a species of bird in the Timalidae family...
es which migrate to Hong Kong from China. Kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
s can be found searching for food in streams.
Most large wild animals are nocturnal and are rarely seen but porcupine
Porcupine
Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend or camouflage them from predators. They are indigenous to the Americas, southern Asia, and Africa. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver. Most porcupines are about long, with...
, pangolin
Pangolin
A pangolin , also scaly anteater or Trenggiling, is a mammal of the order Pholidota. There is only one extant family and one genus of pangolins, comprising eight species. There are also a number of extinct taxa. Pangolins have large keratin scales covering their skin and are the only mammals with...
, Masked Palm Civet
Masked Palm Civet
The Masked Palm Civet or Gem-faced Civet is a civet species native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, and classified by IUCN in 2008 as Least Concern as it occurs in many protected areas, is tolerant to some degree of habitat modification, and widely distributed with presumed large...
, Chinese Leopard Cat, Wild Boar and python
Python
The Pythonidae, commonly known simply as pythons, from the Greek word python-πυθων, are a family of non-venomous snakes found in Africa, Asia and Australia. Among its members are some of the largest snakes in the world...
have been sighted in the area.