Where is Kam Shan Country Park?
Kam Shan Country Park, established on 24 June 1977, is a country park located in the ranges north of Kowloon, Hong Kong. It covers an area of 3.37 square kilometres. Kam Shan Country Park is like a macaque kingdom, where about 1,900 monkeys roam about.
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History:
The Shek Lui Pui reservoir was the first reservoir built in Hong Kong at 1910. It is estimated that the amount of water is enough to serve the whole of Hong Kong for a day.
During WWII, in preparation for the Japanese invasion, defending British troops dug air raid shelters, bunkers and trenches in the region. An 11-mile defence line the Gin Drinker's Lin was made. Something interesting about this defence line is that all underground tunnels connecting the bunkers are named after famous London streets. Smugglers' Pass is the New Territories' main route to South Kowloon. Most of the forts were destroyed during the war. Bullet holes are all that remains of the bloody battles that once rocked these hills. The war remains in Kam Shan are difficult to reach while Shing Mun Redoubt is relatively intact and accessible at the MacLehose trail. You might see some trenches, tunnels and pillboxes along the way, you'll be lucky if you do because these are some examples of war remains! It is thought that the monkeys first came in the 1920’s when pets escaped into the wild. Scientists think that the geological age of Kam Shan country park goes back to the upper jurassic period. |
Images
Things to do and see
Apart from looking at the monkeys, there are some wild boars although they might be hard to find. You can walk around the reservoir or you can go through some little trails connecting to the main road around the reservoir as a shortcut. Either way, you will find something special in every trail. You can try spotting different types of monkeys. You will notice some monkeys have red faces while others don't. This is because that there are different monkey species. Apart from this, you may find different species of some butterflies or some birds. There are some very unique birds and some common ones but no matter how many times you see them you will still be astounded by their beauty and their agility. A nice walk around the reservoir would be great. There will be beautiful scenery and there are places for you to barbecue. You can take the family trail too. It is easy for children and elders. If you are looking for a challenge though, it is good to try other trails too. If you want a long relaxing and easy hike, you can hike around the reservoir where the road is all flat and wide and goes around the reservoir.
Go on and explore! There is nature all around you, take a whiff of fresh air with a mix of green in it, it helps refreshen your mind! Going out and enjoying nature can do many great things to your health, not to mention the boost of happiness when you see those monkeys dancing about.
How long will the hike take?
There is a family trail, lying North on the Kowloon reservoir. The family trail will take about 1 hour, maybe less depending on your speed, but you can take as long as you like and collect some nature to bring home with you(do not get living things, only things that fell). You could take pictures and do the activities we listed out below! Also, you can take a longer trail which will take as long as you want it to be because you can turn back anytime. This route goes along the reservoir and is a wide man-made path, but be careful! There might be some cars there!
Take a quick peek at how Kam Sham Country Park will look like!
Public Facilities
There are places where you can make emergency calls and also you have places to sit and rest with shelter on top if it is raining. There are toilets too so don't worry! On each trail, there will be distance poles, telling you how much further you have to travel too. There are multiple parking lots there too, so you can park your car there.
Activities You Can Do
There are barbeque sites along the way that are open to the public. However, the smell may attract monkeys and other animals.
Activity 1 Things you need - an egg carton Children can bring a box and collect different things along the way. Try and identify the things they found afterwards. You can help them label what they found, and find out some interesting facts. Activity 2 Things you need - Scarf / something to cover your eyes with Blindfold someone and make them touch something nearby. Take off the blindfold and let them guess what it was. Activity 3 Things you need - camera Keep track of how many monkeys you see and the person who saw the most at the end wins a prize. Activity 4 Things you need - camera and printer Try and get pictures of the old forts. Take many photos and make a collage at the end. Try and find the different plant species too. Activity 5 Things you need - a bag, glue/tape Start collecting some interesting things and use them to make a piece of artwork. E.g collect some acorns and stick them together with glue/tape to make a lovely art piece! Activity 6 Things you need - an old bag, some gloves See how many pieces of rubbish you find, who finds the most gets a prize! This can also help young children appreciate the environment more. Activity 7 Things you need: Your hands! Collect some rocks, go home and paint them ANY COLOUR you want! You can make a colourful art piece out of those rocks. Ultimate Challenge! Things you need: A recycle bag, a camera SCAVANGER HUNT! Collect(DO NOT COLLECT ANYTHING THAT IS LIVING! ONLY SOMETHING THAT HAS FALLEN OFF AND IS NO LONGER A LIVING THING!) -10 different types of leaves/flower petals -Take a picture of a butterfly -Take along 4 rocks that have their own unique colour -Take a picture of the prettiest bird you can find! -Can you find evidence of wild boars? |
Animal Friends!
The population of wild monkeys in Hong Kong is around 1,965 to 2,000. The monkeys are called Macaque. The existing species are the Rhesus Macaque, the long-tailed Macaque and their hybrids. They are mainly found in Kam Shan and other places too.
They feed mainly on plant materials like leaves, fruits, flowers, shoots and bark, but occasionally feed on insects. We estimated the monkeys first came at the 1920's. There are many different types of monkeys like long tailed monkeys. |
There will be wild boars in Kam Shan Park although you might not always see them on your trip. Wild boars nuts, acorns, birds, fruits, mushrooms and grass. They have thick coats or brown to black and some white patches of fur on them.
Wild Boars can weigh up to 200kg for the adults, occasionally adult males can weigh up to 300kg. They are about 1.8 meters long. |
The Greens
Reevisa
Reevesia is a genus of flowering plant in the Malvaceae family. It is widely distributed in asia but the earliest record was made by a British man named James Reeves.
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Tarul
Tarul looks like an elephant ear, the size of the leaf is big and people used to use this to make an umbrella. |
Bryophyte
Bryophyte is a traditional name used to refer to all embryophytes that are non-vascular plants, example, the mosses, hornworts, and liverworts. |
The Wild Coffee
The wild coffee is a native species. It flowers all year round and provides food to many birds and butterflies. |
Flying Buddies
Sparrow
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Rufous-backed Shrike
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Hawks
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This is a common type of bird in Hong Kong. I am sure you have seen at least one but never less, they are still as cute as ever. These birds feed on fruits and insects. These birds are the birds that you can get closest to without letting them fly off. Let's see how close you can get!
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This is a unique bird that you may not see very often in Hong. These birds usually have colours ranging from pink to white to black. These birds are not very easy to spot, let's see how lucky you are!
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This is also a type of bird you might see often in Hong Kong. Occasionally, you will see some flying up above. These hawks has strong and powerful wings and are usually found at higher points or near the sea.
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Getting There
From central station, take the tsuen wan line (red line) 6 stops to Prince Edward station. Take exit E and walk around 2 minutes north on Nathan Road towards boundary street. Take bus KMB 81 (near summit insurance building) heading in the direction Wo Che and wait 6 stops to shek lui pui reservoir. When you get there, don’t go up the ramp, walk straight and you should see the reservoir. Walk along Kam Shan Road for about 20 minutes then you will reach the entrance for the family trail. The bus ride will take about 15 minutes from Central. The bus ride costs about $6.5 from Prince Edward.
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Equipment
- First aid kit - Inside: plasters in a variety of different sizes and shapes, small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings, at least two sterile eye dressings , triangular bandages, crêpe rolled bandages, safety pins, disposable sterile gloves, tweezers, scissors, alcohol-free cleansing wipes, sticky tape, cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings, painkillers such as paracetamol (or infant paracetamol for children), aspirin (not to be given to children under 16), or ibuprofen, medicine, distilled water for cleaning wounds
- Bug repellent - there are plenty of insects everywhere in HK so this is a must. There may also be a few spiders which can hurt you.
- Hat + suncream - most of the trail is in the shade, but this is useful if you have skin that burns easily.
- umbrella/raincoat - is useful if it rains
- Take a phone - for pictures/use it if you get lost.
WHAT TO WEAR
- Walking shoes - The trail is easy but these stop your feet from getting sore
- jumper/jacket - depending on the weather. Different people will wear different things
- Light, long pants - don’t wear something too heavy as it can get very humid, but try to wear something a bit longer than shorts to keep off the mosquitos.
- Wear something long to keep off the mosquitos, but not too heavy as it gets quite humid in Hong Kong.
Risk Assessment
Hazards |
Risks |
Control Measure |
Emergency action plan |
Hungry Monkeys |
If the monkeys there see food, they will do ANYTHING to get it, even attacking. This might lead to scratches on your body, falling, getting your eye damaged etc. They might also try and steal anything shiny. |
Try not do bring food but if you do, do not leave it in the open. Hide it in your backpack in a sealed bag so they cannot see it or smell it. |
If they do attack you, make sure you use your first aid kit and make emergency calls. There are emergency calls there too if your phone does not work. |
Uneven Path |
You could trip and hurt yourself. Strollers or wheelchairs might be dangerous. |
Be careful of where you step, wear proper shoes and try to look after your children |
No scratches should be too serious along this path, but a band-aid or disinfectant should do the trick. |
Boars |
Wild Boars might attack. They will more likely come out at night or after it rains. |
Don’t make eye contact or take direct photos of wild boars, these make them think you are a threat and they might attack. |
If a boar does attack you, call an emergency number - 999/112. This is very unlikely and boars will probably not be interested in you unless you provoke them. |
Tree branches |
They could poke your eye, hit your head. |
The branches could scratch you, or poke your eye. Stay in the middle of the path and don't let children walk too close to the trees. |
If there is a cut, spray with disinfectant, and put a plaster over the top to prevent infection. |
Other living things |
Animals such as spiders or snakes are all over Hong Kong and could potentially hurt you. |
Wear long pants to keep out the bugs and wear repellent at all times. Keep on the path and don't go into the bushes where there is a higher chance of snakes |
If you do get a snake bite, call an emergency number and go to the hospital. Hong Kong has the highest population of poisonous snakes in Asia. |
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