Geopark at High Island Reservoir
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Geopark - by Koreval
Description
Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark covers 150 km2 over 2 geological areas: (i) the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock region displaying prismatic columnar jointing (hexagonal stone columns) over High Island, Ung Kong group, Ninepin group and Sharp Island, and (ii) the Northeast Territories Sedimentary Rock region over Double Haven, Port Island, Tolo Channel coastlines and Tung Ping Chau. [source: Wikipedia] The Geopark provides a very vivid visual insight into the geologic and volcanic history of Hong Kong. The columnar-jointed rocks give some of the cliffs a distinctive appearance and there are also many sea caves and sea arches. Columns in the Ninepin Group are as large as 3-meters in diameter. This review is for the High Island Reservoir East Dam area.
Access & Transport
The site at the end of the High Island Reservoir East Dam can be reached by bus, taxi or walk from Pak Tum Chung or Sai Kung (too far to walk) whilst other coastal rock formations can only be reached from the ocean with a boat tour from Sai Kung
Instructions & Recommendations
Depending on your budget and preferences our recommendation is to either concentrate on the site next to the East Dam that can be reached by taxi or bus and then enjoy the Long Ke Wan beach and/or hiking section 2 of the MacLehose trail OR go on a more extensive boat tour from Sai Kung and take some extra time before or after to discover the town and one of its restaurants.
Environmental & Social
This encourages visitors to discover their environment so nothing negative there except the small carbon footprint of transport to get to the sightseeing points. Socially we deem this to be marginally positive as it helps spread culture and awareness of our natural environment
Conclusion
The Hong Kong UNESCO Geopark is an unexpected highlight in such a city and is best combined with the nearby beach or the discovery of Sai Kung town. Unless you are really into natural features and geology, this should be a little down the list of priority, if only because it takes a certain amount of time to get to. However, it is an excellent option for return visitors to the city or residents.
Key positive
Visually quite impressive
Very educational
The boat tour (not reviewed here) is an opportunity to discover new areas of HK
Key negative
Takes time to get to Sai Kung or the East Dam section of the Geopark
Boat tour (not reviewed here) can be a budget for families
Suitability
Suitable for all ages The High Island Reservoir East dam area is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility but there is a meaningful slope (on even road) down to the hexagonal columns and the sea cave - and then back up.
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h 15m
est. visit time:1h 15m
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo