Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail - Explore Hundred Years of History of Waterworks

Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail - Explore Hundred Years of History of Waterworks

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Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail - Explore Hundred Years of History of Waterworks

Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Dam
Reservoir trail is popular among Hong Kong people, as it is easy to walk and be reached by convenient public transport. Every reservoir in Hong Kong has its own distinctive scenery for landscape photography. For example, Shing Mun Reservoir is famous for its “flooding paperbark forest” and war remains while Tai Lam Chung Reservoir is well-known as “Thousand-Island Lake”. This time we will visit Tai Tam Reservoir, which is one of the places having the greatest number of declared monuments in Hong Kong.

Transportation

Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail that goes around Tai Tam Reservoir is about 5km long and can be completed within 2 hours. The trail covers 21 historic waterworks structures which have been declared monuments, including Tai Tam Upper Reservoir with over a hundred years of history, Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir, Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir, Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Masonry Bridge and Dam etc. The two ends of these waterworks structures connect to Tai Tam Road and Tai Tam Reservoir Road respectively. Located next to Hong Kong Parkview, Tai Tam Road is only accessible by taxi or resident’s shuttle bus. Alternatively, we can go to Tai Tam Reservoir Road. Take New World First Bus route 14 at Sai Wan Ho and get off at Tai Tam Reservoir (North). Start your walk at Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir, then head to the masonry bridge next to Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir along the waterworks heritage trail. You can enjoy some of the major waterworks structures along the way. After the shooting, you can get back to Tai Tam Country Park to leave.
You can see the road sign to Tai Tam Village after getting off at Tai Tam Reservoir (North). Follow the stairs down for about a minute to reach the dam (this photo shows the way we walk down to the dam)
You will reach the downstream of the dam after walking for about a minute

Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Dam

Tai Tam Reservoir comprises a number of reservoirs and waterworks structures. Among those, Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir and Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir are the best locations to take photos. Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Dam features 12 large spillways. The spectacular sight of water overflow is a popular photographic topic among photo lovers. However, there is no exact timetable for this. Just try your luck and go after a rainy day when the reservoir is full.
Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Dam
Water flows over the 12 spillways when the reservoir is full, making a spectacular scene resemble to a man-made waterfall
After taking pictures at the dam, continue on the waterworks heritage trail
On the way you will see Tai Tam Tuk Raw Water Pumping Station which is built in 1907
Go uphill along this concrete road next to the international school
Turn right to the main road
Pass the gate to enter Tai Tam Country Park area

Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Masonry Bridge

There are altogether 4 masonry bridges inside Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. Along the waterworks heritage trail connecting Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir and Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir, the masonry bridge on the west shore of Tai Tam Reservoir – i.e. the first masonry bridge you reach when you go from the bus stop near the waterworks heritage trail to the Hong Kong Parkview direction - offers the best shooting location.
Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Masonry Bridge that boasts granite arch structures
View of Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir Dam from another side. Although we visited after a rainy day, we did not see the spectacular sight of water overflow as the water level was only close to the critical line

Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam

Before reaching the fourth masonry bridge of Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir, we can enjoy a view of Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam. This dam of smaller-scale is one of the earliest built waterworks structures. We can get close to this historic monument to take photos.
Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam that sits between valleys
You will reach a junction when you arrive at the fourth masonry bridge. Turn left to Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam
Go uphill at this junction to reach the upstream of the dam, or walk down to the downstream
A close-up shot of Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam with water starting to flow
Another close-up shot of Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam
The top of the dam
Enjoy different mood and scenery when you take the same route back to the first bridge
Take buses or minibuses next to the public toilet at the gate to various MTR stations on East Hong Kong Island
Our photo journey officially ends after shooting at Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam. Take the same route back and enjoy the views of these waterworks structures once again from another angle. Then you can take buses or minibuses to get back to town at Tai Tam Country Park.
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