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... exploring Hong Kong's other side...
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Ma On Shan Country Park
Sunday, 21 March 2010
The last Harvard Club hike saw us conquer the panoramic stair-master that is the Tai To Yan ridge in the northern New Territories. This time
around, the scenery will be somewhat different as we explore the valleys, woodlands and ruins of the western and lower parts of the Ma On
Shan Country Park.
Setting out from the delightfully named Hang On Estate in the giant new dormitory town of Ma On Shan, we traverse immaculate sports
grounds and parks to reach the gently climbing quiet road that will take us through nurseries to the original Ma On Shan village.
Few traces of its golden days remain, but we will wander around this locally important old mining town before continuing uphill towards the
country park. The paved road ends just beyond Ma On Shan village as we reach the dirt and boulder paths of the park.
We are still going up, but soon we arrive at the lush, peaceful and butterfly filled Ngong Ping plateau – a place you wouldn’t think existed in
Hong Kong: Soft rolling green hills of grass, shrubs and young trees...
But wait – there’s more: The eastern edge of the plateau offers a truly spectacular panoramic view over Port Shelter and the many islands off
Sai Kung. Better still: After an extended snack break at a look-out point, we will be able to savour this wonderful view for a mile or so before
we dip back into the bird-song filled woodlands and onto ancient moss-covered village paths.
Descending gradually westwards, the stone paths lead us along small streams and through a number of decaying old villages. Some of
which might just hide a surprise or two... Just as civilization beckons- at the village of Mui Tsz Lam - we turn back into the country park for
one last short climb to reach the gardens and orchards of Fa Sam Hang, yet another little oasis of tranquility.
The downhill road from Fa Sam Hang village to Sha Tin usually only sees little traffic, so we will walk along this until reaching one of the
tributaries to the Shing Mun River and we rejoin the Sunday crowds...
We propose ending the hike with a (late) dim sum lunch at Sha Tin’s floating restaurant…

Hike Summary
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Click on map and check red line for an idea of where this hike will take you.
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Distance:
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16 km
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Difficulty:
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6 out of 10
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Approx. Altitude Change:
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Gain: 650 metres
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Loss: 655 metres
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Price:
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HK$100
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for Members
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Highest Point:
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415 metres
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or
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HK$120
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for Non-Members/Prospects
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Time Spent on Trail:
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6 hours
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Walking 5 hours + Breaks 1 hour
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Meeting Time & Place:
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9:00 am
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at Heng On Railway Station
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Finishing Time & Place:
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3:00 pm
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near City One, Shatin
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or 3:45pm
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in Admiralty, if not staying for lunch
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Food & Drink:
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Multiple snack breaks en route. Optional shared (late) lunch at Chinese (Dim Sum) restaurant in Sha Tin at end of hike - not included.
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The Harvard Club of Hong Kong Hiking Group
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by Hansen's Events
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Disclaimer
Participants on all Hansen's Events' hikes and rides take part entirely at their own risk. By joining any of our events all participants are automatically seen to
have agreed to have entered into a disclaimer which exonerates the outing leaders and the organizers from any personal or public responsibility whatsoever
and for any claims, injuries or damages arising thereof.