Photo Trip of Paper-bark Trees at Shing Mun Reservoir
Located in the New Territories West and separating the east and west of the New Territories area, Shing Mun Reservoir was completed in 1937 and has a storage capacity of over 13 million cubic metres of fresh water being supplied to the Hong Kong Island. Facilities such as barbecue sites and walking trails are available around the reservoir, making it a nice destination for the locals to spend the weekends. It is also a place for photography and exploring the nature, with large area of war relics along the MacLehose Trail between Shing Mun Reservoir and Kowloon Reservoir, as well as Tai Shing Stream and paper-bark forest near Tai Mo Shan.
This photo trip starts at Shing Mun Reservoir barbecue site. A 5-minute walk along the MacLehose Trail Stage 6 will take us to the first stop – the redoubt. Then head back to the paper-bark forest and Tai Shing Stream by hiking along the Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, and finally go back to the minibus terminus to get back to town. Of course, you can choose not to head back but to complete the trail round the reservoir (which is a much longer route) to reach the minibus terminus.
From Chung On Street Tsuen Wan, we can take minibus 82 to the minibus terminus at Shing Mun Reservoir. Then head back the way you came for approximately 10 minutes to reach the barbecue site and entrance for the MacLehose Trail Stage 6. Alternatively, you can go by taxi directly to the barbecue site if you have company, and the taxi fare is around HK$40. Remember to ask the taxi driver if he is willing to go directly to the barbecue site. Take the next one if not.
You will come across many of these underground tunnels on the path uphill. Don’t go in as conditions are poor inside these tunnels with stained water and mud. These tunnels are said to be 18km long. It’s a real trouble if getting lost inside.
You can enter this larger-scale military remnant, which can be seen after a 5-minute walk from the foot of the hill, from a small hole on one side.
Some volunteers will come and tidy up these remnants from time to time. They also put up some explanatory notes in these chambers so that you can learn more about their functions. It’s important that visitors like us to try our best to keep these places clean and intact. Take nothing from them except the photos.
You can enjoy a sweeping view of the city by taking a few steps forward from the remnant. From here, you can take a glimpse of the entire Shing Mun Reservoir with high-rise buildings in the distance. After the shooting is done, return to the foot of the hill and start your trail round the reservoir by going along the main traffic road in a clockwise direction. You will pass through the minibus terminus and Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, and finally reach the paper-bark forest and Tai Shing Stream. The total distance is approximately 3km and it can be finished within 40 minutes.
At the end of the Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, continue to the main traffic road and watch out for the side road on your right after passing through the above paper-bark path. Take the stone stairs down to a little pond where you can take photos of the paper-bark trees at close range.
When you finish your shooting here, head back to the main traffic road and continue in the clockwise direction. You will reach Tai Shing Stream in a few minutes.
The trip officially ends here. Head back to the main traffic road and take minibus 82 at the minibus terminus to go back to town. This trail is a bit lengthy but is easy. Spend a joyful weekend here with some of your friends!