Hong Kong country parks refer to the undeveloped areas on the outskirts of the city designated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government for recreational and conservation purposes, and their status is similar to that of national parks.
The Hong Kong government enacted the Country Parks Ordinance in 1976 and designated the first three country parks on December 3 of the same year. At present, 24 country parks have been designated in Hong Kong, with a total area of 43,656 hectares, accounting for about 40% (39.6%) of Hong Kong's land area. Country parks attract about 12 million tourists every year.
learn
As early as 1844, the Hong Kong government promulgated the "Good Order and Cleanliness Ordinance" (Good Order and Cleanliness Ordinance), prohibiting damage to trees and shrubs; in 1913, the vicinity of Wu Kau Teng Waterfall was designated as a forest care area; in 1925, Part of the forest land in Tai Po Jiao is designated as the Tai Po Forest Conservation Area. In 1928, the area around Mount Collinson on the east of Hong Kong Island was listed as a forestation restricted area and became the first legally protected area in Hong Kong. However, there was no legal country park in Hong Kong at that time.
During Hong Kong's Japanese Occupation in the 1940s, most of Hong Kong's forests were cut down for fuel. In the Hong Kong suburbs of Chongguang, many places have become barren wilderness. At that time, although the government planted forests to avoid soil erosion, it was not systematic. As Hong Kong's economy took off from the 1950s to the 1960s, immigrants from mainland China continued to flow in, the population soared, and the demand for open space was also increasing. In 1965, Lee M. Talbot, an American environmental science expert and later a visiting professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at George Mason University, USA, was invited by the Hong Kong government to work with his wife (Marty H. Talbot). ) Come to visit Hong Kong's countryside environment. He began environmental research in East Asia in the 1950s. During an expedition to Hong Kong, the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force used two single-engine "Auster" aircraft to pick them up. However, a slight explosion occurred in the sky north of Lantau and the aircraft went straight. Fortunately, no one died in the sea. The newspaper the next day laughed and called this "Hong Kong's first underwater aerial survey."
Delbo completed a report on "Hong Kong Countryside Conservation" in 1966, proposing to establish an organization dedicated to nature conservation to manage the suburbs; establish statutory protected areas to prevent man-made destruction of the mountains; carry out forest planting work to create a diverse ecosystem; Carry out scientific research, strengthen the understanding of Hong Kong's ecological environment, and so on.
In March 1967, the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir David Trench, appointed the "Temporary Committee on the Use and Preservation of the Suburbs" and published the "Country and the Public" report the following year to conduct an overall review of the needs of recreation and nature conservation, and proposed the establishment of a "Country Council" to provide relevant opinions to the government. In 1971, the "Sir David Trench Fund for Recreation" allocated funds to set up a picnic and barbecue pilot area in Shing Mun Reservoir. The Country Parks Ordinance finally came into effect in 1976. On June 24 of the following year, the first batch of country parks under legal protection were designated, including Shing Mun, Golden Mountain, Tai Tam, Lion Rock and Aberdeen. In the same year, Aberdeen, Tai Po Kau, Tai Mei Tuk and Bridal Pool Nature Education Trails were designed. In 1979, Tai Mei Tuk and Aberdeen Country Park Visitor Information Centers were opened. Sai Kung Country Park Visitor Center in Pak Tam Chung was opened in 1985. The first "Family Path" was built in 1987. In 1992, the "Tree Study Path" was established. As of March 2007, Hong Kong has delineated 23 country parks and 17 special areas (11 of which are located within country parks), with a total area of more than 41,521 hectares, and about 12 million tourists annually. The purpose of setting up a country park is to protect nature and to provide the public with recreational and outdoor education facilities in the countryside. As for the establishment of special areas, the main purpose is to protect the natural ecology.
The Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulations promulgated in 1996 further included the marine environment of Hong Kong in the protected areas.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has strengthened publicity and education in the 2000s to support the transformation of country parks into places for citizens to explore nature. For example, in recent years, it has published a large number of books on the ecology of Hong Kong and replaced the black and white information boards in the country parks with colors. , And update the information of the country park visitor center.
arrival
go sightseeing
facility
In the country park, there are picnic places with tables and chairs, barbecue pits, waste bins, children's play equipment, pavilions, camps, and toilets. The design of the above-mentioned facilities is compatible with the natural environment. In addition, the main trails in the mountains are marked with road signs, and there are also pedestrian trails and family trails for tourists to stroll in the mountains and forests and enjoy the natural scenery.
Other facilities
- Educational Nature Education Path
- 4 long-distance hiking trails
- Fitness trail
- Jogging track
- Wheelchair track and paradise for the disabled
- Morning Transport Park
- Children's Adventure Land
- Country Park Visitor Center
Crime
Stowaways and robbers illegally fell Podocarpus and Agarwood.
Dining
In all parts of the country park, tourists are welcome to have picnics. In some walking trails, there are also picnic areas and barbecue areas. Most country parksnoIn the restaurant, visitors are requested to bring their own dry food and enough water to ensure nutrient supply during the tour.
Ecology
In the country park, there are all kinds of animals and plants for viewing. In terms of plants, there are native and exotic species, such as camphor tree, phoebe tree, Schima superba, Acacia taiwanensis, Ai's pine and red bakelite. Animals include macaques, wild boars, ocelots, pangolins, porcupines and squirrels. Birds include hairy chickens, large woodpeckers, pasqueflowers, starlings, bead-necked turtledoves, and black-eared kites. In addition, there are many kinds of insects, among which there are as many as 240 species of butterflies.
stay
There are camping sites for climbers and campers at the exits of the country parks and the junctions of the McHoly Trail and the Wilson Trail. Climbers can bring their own tents and other camps, and pass along the walking trails. There are a few hotels and hotels (but not many!) in the villages and urban areas.