Sai Kung Country Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Sai Kung Country Parks | |
|---|---|
 The Sai Kung Country Park Visitor Centre at Pak Tam Chung | |
  Location in Hong Kong | |
| Location | Sai Kung Peninsula, New Territories, Hong Kong |
| Nearest city | Sai Kung Town |
| Coordinates | 22°22′N 114°21′E / 22.367°N 114.350°E |
| Area | 7,617 ha (29.41 sq mi) |
| Established | 1978 |
| Governing body | Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department |
| Website | www |
Sai Kung Country Park (Chinese: 西貢郊野公園) is a collective reference to the protected green spaces located on the Sai Kung Peninsula in the northeastern New Territories of Hong Kong. The area is managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and officially comprises three distinct administrative entities: Sai Kung East Country Park, Sai Kung West Country Park, and the Sai Kung West Country Park (Wan Tsai Extension).[1][2][3]
Together, these parks cover approximately 7,617 hectares (18,820 acres) of uplands, coasts, and reservoirs, making the peninsula one of the most extensive recreational areas in the territory.
Sai Kung East Country Park
While often referred to colloquially as a single entity, the area consists of three statutory country parks:
Designated in 1978, the Sai Kung East Country Park covers 4,477 hectares (11,060 acres), making it the largest of the three. It occupies the eastern side of the peninsula and surrounds the High Island Reservoir.[1]
Key features include:
- High Island Reservoir and the hexagonal volcanic rock columns at the East Dam, a key site of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark
- The remote beaches of Tai Long Wan (Sai Wan, Ham Tin Wan, Tai Wan, and Tung Wan)
- Sharp Peak, a challenging and distinctive peak
- Sections 1 and 2 of the MacLehose Trail
Sai Kung West Country Park
Designated in 1978, the Sai Kung West Country Park covers 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) on the western side of the peninsula.[2]
Key features include:
- Proximity to Hoi Ha Wan, a designated Marine Park known for coral communities
- Popular hiking and camping areas including Cheung Sheung plateau
- The well-preserved Hakka village of Pak Sha O
Wan Tsai Extension
Designated in 1996, the Sai Kung West Country Park (Wan Tsai Extension) covers 123 hectares (300 acres) on the Wan Tsai Peninsula. Originally used as a soil borrow area for the Ma On Shan New Town, it was subsequently rehabilitated and reforested.[3]
Facilities
The Sai Kung Country Park Visitor Centre is located at Pak Tam Chung, serving as the primary gateway to the parks. It provides exhibitions on local ecology, history, and the development of the High Island Reservoir.[4]