Tai Mo Shan is the highest mountain in Hong Kong, with an altitude of 958 m. It is located approximately at the geographical center of the New Territories.
The second highest elevation of the territory is Lantau Peak (Fung Wong Shan), 934 m, on Lantau Island.
The area surrounding Tai Mo Shan is a Country Park, which covers an area of 1,440 hectares and adopts the same name - Tai Mo Shan Country Park. It is located to the north of Tai Lam Country Park and, separated by Sek Kong Valley is the Lam Tsuen Country Park with an area of 1,520 hectares.
| Table of contents |
|
2 Vegetation 3 Wildlife 4 Places of interest 5 The Country Code 6 Transportation 7 External links and references |
Tai Mo Shan is made up entirely of volcanic rocks. To the northwest, the west and the south of the peak, the valleys contain large deposits of colluvium. The upper slopes are distinctly "ribbed", as is especially evident after a hill fire. These are stone terraces, running obliquely downhill to the valleys.
There are forest plantations in the south-eastern part of the Park. Limited by climatic and geographic factors, these plantations end at the 550 metre contour, above which shrubs and grasses dominate.
In the past, Tai Mo Shan was famous for a type of green tea, called mist or cloud tea, which grew wild up on the mountain side.
Some montane birds and rare species of snakes and butterflies breed here.
A series of barbecue and picnic sites are provided along Route Twisk, the Sek Kong - Pat Heung catchwater and the Tuen Mun catchwater.
The Rotary Park at Tai Mo Shan which has a car-park and extensive picnic facilities, is especially popular. Tourist groups often come here for a brief stop to enjoy the panoramic view. On a clear day even Lantau and its adjacent islands can be seen. Tai Mo Shan Visitor Centre is located not far away from the carpark.
To learn the techniques of hiking, you may visit the Hiking Practice Trail adjacent to the Tai Mo Shan car Park. Those would prefer short walks may visit the family walks in the park.
Visitors in country parks are asked to help keep the parks clean and prevent hill fires so that the facilities can he enjoyed by all. In 1986, a 34-hour blaze destroyed 282,500 trees at Shing Mun and Tai Mo Shan and ravaged 740 hectares of countryside. Fire is the greatest threat to the beauty of the country parks.
To Twisk of Tai Lam Country Park: KMB bus No. 51 from Tsuen Wan Ferry Pier to Ka Tin.
See also:
Geology
Tai Mo ShanVegetation
Wildlife
Places of interest
Ng Tung ChaiThe Country Code
Transportation
Sundial at Tai Mo Shan Rotary ParkExternal links and references