Tai Shek Mo is a hillock located in Lo Wu near the Shenzhen border. This closed border was open since 2003 and became a scenic spot offering cityscapes of Shenzhen across the border as well as nice sunset view on the far end. To visit, we can take minibus 51K from Sheung Shui MTR station and get off at the terminus at Ho Sheung Heung. Head north along Pai Fung Road, then turn to Ho Sheung Heung Road and look for the entrance to the hill. After you walk past a few cemeteries and transmitter towers, you will see a well defined path to the summit.

One important thing to note is that a section of the Lo Wu Classification Range is situated on the way uphill. So make sure that there is no firing practice before you go. The Information Services Department will announce the dates and times of the firing practices taking place next month on its website (search with the keywords “Firing Practice”). Leave immediately if you see red flags hoisted at the firing area.

After walking past the area where the two red flags hoist (between the two flags it is the firing area), you will reach the trigonometrical station. This area is closer to the west and is good location for sunset photography. Walk a bit further you will see a helipad that offers wide-open views of the city across the border.

To kill time when waiting for the sun to set, you can walk down the stairs to an abandoned barrack and take pictures.

Those who love sunset photography should have heard about Magic Hour. However, most of us only know about the time the sun sets, but not the period when it starts and ends. In fact, Magic Hour can by divided into two periods, namely Golden Hour and Blue Hour. Golden Hour refers to the period before sunset during which the sunlight is soft and rich in orangish-red color.

Don’t leave immediately after the sun sets below the horizon, as there will be Blue Hour coming. Although the sun cannot be seen, the sky during this period of time shows rich color gradation in a mixture of red, orange, yellow, blue and purple. It would be a pity not to take picture of it. You can check the exact time of Magic Hour at this website: http://www.golden-hour.com/. Simply select the shooting date and the starting time of Magic Hour will be shown.

To get back to town after a day of shooting, walk past the abandoned barrack to the former military vehicle road and walk downhill until you see an intersection. Turn right and take minibus 51K at the entrance of the Lo Wu Correctional Institution to get back to Sheung Shui MTR station.