- Ma On Shan Country Park
Some of
Hong Kong 's most dramatic scenery is to be found within the boundaries of the Ma On Shan Country Park (zh-t|t=馬鞍山郊野公園). The park was established onApril 27 ,1979 . Located in the central neck of theSai Kung peninsula in the easternNew Territories , this covers 28.8 square kilometres. This park links theSai Kung Country Park andLion Rock Country Park to form an extensive recreation area on theMa On Shan massif.ightseeing
Apart from a charming, separate section of the park of the
Hebe Haven peninsula , much on the Ma On Shan Country Park is inland. Distant vistas of the sea and off-shore islands open up from many of the high vantage points within the park's boundaries, but most of the exploring keeps you far from the coast.Iron mine of Ma On Shan
Iron mining has for long been carried out at Ma On Shan. The lease of the mine expired in 1981 and activity has meanwhile diminished as the quality of the ore has declined. Concealed mine shafts and man-made scree slopes are potentially dangerous and the area around the mine - excluded from the park, although surrounded by it - should be explored with care.Vegetation
Most of these hills are rather bare in terms of vegetation. Their inaccessibility made it uneconomic to carry out afforestation when tree planting was necessary for fuel supply; the mainly
volcanic slopes are inhospitable to all but the hardiest plants. Nevertheless some unusual pockets of vegetation have survived over the years and even the ruined slopes of Ma On Shan are notable for their wildrhododendron ,orchid s and some unusualfern s.Wildlife
As can be imagined, such secluded and unspoilt surroundings have fostered an interesting range of wildlife within the park.
Pangolin ,barking deer ,porcupine andwild boar are still spotted from time to time.Hiking trails
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Ma On Shan Country Trail - FromMa On Shan Village toTai Shui Tseng via Ngong Ping.
*Wilson Trail - Stage 4 is fromTseng Lan Shue toShatin Pass viaTai Lo Au .
*MacLehose Trail - Stage 4 & 5, starting fromKei Ling Ha toTate's Cairn (Gilwell Campsite) and then toTai Po Road via Shatin Pass.ee also
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Geography of Hong Kong
*Country parks and conservation in Hong Kong
*List of areas of Hong Kong References
*Initial text based on information provided by the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), under the provision that the re-dissemination or reproduction is for non-commercial use. [http://parks.afcd.gov.hk/newparks/eng/news/copyright_notice.htm]
External links
* [http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_mos/cou_vis_cou_mos.html AFCD Ma On Shan]
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