Yuen Long is situated in the northwest of the New Territories on a large alluvial plain. The Yuen Long District covers an area of 14,430 hectares and has a population of about 540,000.
Yuen Long was originally characterised by six rural areas (heungs) with 140 villages. Though basically an agricultural centre, the Yuen Long economy once also relied heavily on salt production and pearl harvesting. As a result of a population increase and the advance in transportation, a market town was established and developed in the late Ming Dynasty near Yuen Long Tai Kiu Tun.
In 1669, during the Qing Dynasty, the market was moved north for political reasons to the area near where the present-day MTR Yuen Long Station is situated. Now known as Yuen Long Kau Hui (or Old Yuen Long Town), the market is sited south of a small hill and while it is far from the coast today, it was beside the sea shore when it first opened.
After the British leased the New Territories in 1898, they built Castle Peak Road to connect major areas of the New Territories and Kowloon. The villagers proposed and moved the market town to the main road.
Our first destination on this outing is the narrow lanes and old houses of Yuen Long Kau Hui. Here is a great chance to see how old meets new in present day Hong Kong as century old houses and temples stand side by side with new Spanish-style villas in the shade of modern high-rises and factories.
It is just a short stroll – and an even shorter ferry ride - from the bustle and noise of Yuen Long to the scenic and serene wetlands of Nam Sang Wai. Most recently famous for hosting Hong Kong’s only crocodile, Nam Sang Wai is better known as one of Hong Kong’s favourite bird watching areas.
Thousands of birds flock to the shallow Shan Pui and Kam Tin Rivers with their mangrove clad shores as well as the – now mostly abandoned – fish and duck farms.
The mudflats at the confluence of the two rivers, in particular, are terrific observation points, so make sure to bring a tripod and a zoom lens.
Amongst the many wintering or migrating waterbirds that gather here, you will see many ducks, wagtails, cormorants and egrets, but there is also the chance that a Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) might happen to land on the bank. The appearance of this rare white bird with its spoon-shaped black bill will surely excite you – as would a sighting of one of our kingfishers…
Other popular motifs are the Lemon-scented Gums (eucalyptus citriodora) and the many other exotic trees, such as Paper-bark Trees (melaleuca quinquenervia), Cotton Trees (bombax ceiba), Banyan Trees, acacia confuse, and kandelia obovata.
We finish the Photo Shoot back in Yuen Long, where we look for a lunch restaurant near the “new“ market. This will also allow the trainspotters amongst you to catch sight of Hong Kong’s newest streetcars…
A refreshment will be offered at a store in Nam Sang Wai. Optional shared lunch at Chinese restaurant in Yuen Long at end of the outing (8 km) - not included.
Note:
Consider bringing your tripod and a good zoom lens. Also, some motives might be dimly lit...