Free Parks Hong Kong Near Me

4worldlovers: Lion Rock Country Park, designated on 24 June 1977, is one of the earliest country parks of Hong Kong., it covers a wide upland region set between North Kowloon and Shatin. The park borders on Kam Shan Country Park to the west by a boundary line on Tai Po Road, and commands a total area of 557 hectares. Lion Rock is a narrow mountain range stretching from east to west. The southern slopes are abrupt with thin vegetation. By contrast, the northern slopes are nourished by abundant streams, which in turn give rise to flourishing flora.

Famous sights of Lion Rock Country Park include the monumental Lion Rock and Amah Rock made famous by its moving folk legend. Although not very sizeable, the park boasts some of Hong Kong's best loved trails, including major hiking trails like the MacLehose Trail and Wilson Trail that pass through the uplands, and the more docile Eagle's Nest Nature Trail and Hung Mui Kuk Nature Trail.

Lion Rock, the peak which gives the park its name, is a key attraction. This magnificent range is a witness to Hong Kong's legendary development from a fishing village to an international metropolis. The 495 m mountain is characterized by rugged escarpments on the west side. Viewed from a distance, it resembles a lion sitting regally with its head facing west, as if to keep Hong Kong in safe guard.

Lion Rock is edged by traditional stone trails both on the east and west sides. The trail in the west, restored by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff to provide an easy route to the summit, winds up to Lion Rock Pass from Wang Tau Hom. The ancient trail in the east crosses over Shatin Pass Road and links Tsz Wan Shan in Kowloon with Tsok Pok Hang in Shatin. Back in the Qing Dynasty, these stone trails were communication mainlines between Shatin and Kowloon.

MacLehose Trail Section 5 (Distance : 10.6 km; hiking time : 3 hours) begins at Ma On Shan Country Park , it extends for quite a distance before entering Lion Rock Country Park via Shatin Pass. The Lion Rock section is a hilly route with several steep climbs and challenging descents. Examples are the section from Shatin Pass to Unicorn Ridge, the section from Reunification Pavilion to Beacon Hill, and the descent from Beacon Hill. Surprisingly, this trail is quite popular with hikers, probably because of its good hiking facilities. There is a small village store in Shatin Pass that serves cold drinks, and rain shelters along the way to rest your tired legs in the cool breeze.

Wilson Trail Section 5 (Distance : 7.4 km; hiking time : 2.5 hours) is largely level walk that is amateur friendly. The beginning section that leads from Shap Yi Wat Village to the Hung Mui Kuk Catchment Area is all level, while the rest are downhill sections. At a ridgetop high point after Shap Yi Wat Village, there is a broad view of Tai Wai and Shatin. Further up, there are turnings for the Hung Mui Kuk Nature Trail and Amah Rock, where you can make a detour to visit.

Near the Kowloon Hills Management Centre, you find the Eagle's Nest Nature Trail. A little way ahead, your gaze follows the slopes down to Kowloon Reservoir in the valley below. In the warm spring and summer months, crimson Melastomas and jade green Shiuying Bamboo (Arundinaria shiuyingiana) embellish the countryside. Here in this verdant haven wild macaques roam. These animals should be observed from a distance and never fed or disturbed. The other route - the Hung Mui Kuk Nature Trail - it highlights educational information on the ecological impact of trees and the history of Shatin.