CYCLING FROM TAI WAI TO SCIENCE PARK
Written and illustrated by: Alina Weber with help from Cher C, Renee A and Eugene L
History
Tai Wai village, where the name of the area came from, was the largest and oldest walled village in Sha Tin. It was built in 1574 during the Ming Dynasty, and was called Chik Chuen Wai (Chinese: 積存圍) at the time.
History of the Tolo Harbour
The Tolo Harbour was once a very popular area of Hong Kong where people would go pearl hunting in Tai Po for a living. The economical activity had been started during the Han Dynasty. However, this profession has only lasted until the Ming Dynasty, as people had started to realise that these pearls had nearly gone extinct in the harbour.
History of Shing Mun River
The 2 pictures presented below show the tremendous changes over time in the past 45 years from the late 1970s to 2015. The Shing Mun River’s source originally came from Needle hill, until the mouth of the river (Tide Cove - Sha tin Hoi) was drained in the 1970s, causing the river to change course towards Sha Tin New Town. The river was then extended through a manmade channel that is 7km long and 200m wide, allowing it to flow into Tolo Harbour.
History of the Tolo Harbour
The Tolo Harbour was once a very popular area of Hong Kong where people would go pearl hunting in Tai Po for a living. The economical activity had been started during the Han Dynasty. However, this profession has only lasted until the Ming Dynasty, as people had started to realise that these pearls had nearly gone extinct in the harbour.
History of Shing Mun River
The 2 pictures presented below show the tremendous changes over time in the past 45 years from the late 1970s to 2015. The Shing Mun River’s source originally came from Needle hill, until the mouth of the river (Tide Cove - Sha tin Hoi) was drained in the 1970s, causing the river to change course towards Sha Tin New Town. The river was then extended through a manmade channel that is 7km long and 200m wide, allowing it to flow into Tolo Harbour.
Things to do and see
We hired bikes and rode along the bicycle path to the science museum and then back again. You can also walk the path and which travels by the river. You can also eat lots of different kinds of traditional foods.
On the path you will see some of the animals that are outlined below. We cycled the pink line which is 8 km and then cycled it back to Tai O village which took us about 3 hours to do it.
On the path you will see some of the animals that are outlined below. We cycled the pink line which is 8 km and then cycled it back to Tai O village which took us about 3 hours to do it.
Sui Cheung Street is a street next to the water police outer district centre. You can take a break there. This is an area that has a variety of trees and plants. It is a good place to have a picnic or a short break. The view is amazing as well, you will find yourself looking at the people riding their bikes and the sea. You can play the games below here.
Activities & Challenges
HIDE & SEEK
You all probably know how to play hide and seek, but if not here is how: 1 person will close there eyes and count up to about 20-30. While that person counts everybody hides. When the person finished counting he/she will try to find the others. If more than 5 people there should be one more seeker. |
Bird Life
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JAPANESE WHITE EYE
It is a common resident bird in Hong Kong, and usually appears in large flocks. Japanese White-eye is recognised by its prominent white eye-rings, as aptly suggested by its name. 4 to 4.5 inches in length, and weigh between 9.75 and 12.75gs. Another name is mejero. The Japanese White-eye is the most common bird in the Hawaiian Islands. It was introduced to Hawaii as a means of pest control in 1929. |
Flora
BANYAN TREE
The Banyan Tree is the national tree of India . The highest branches reach the size of 24.5 M .The present crown of the tree has a circumference of 486 m |
FIREBALL LILY
It only blooms for 2 short weeks. Species grows in several habitats from open grasslands and shady riverbanks to woodland edges and savanna and mountain forests. Most people know this flower as the Fireball lily |
How to get there
DIRECTIONS Central- Tai Wai Take the Tsuen wan line all the way to Mong kok. From Mong Kok take the Kwun Tong Line towards Tiu Keng Leng. Get out at Kowloon Tong and then take the East Rail Line towards Sheung Shui and get off at Tai Wai station. Take the Ma On Shan Line towards Wu Kai Sha and get off at Sha Tin Wai and leave out of exit A. Walk 100 metres until you reach the bike shop. The bike shop we rented the bikes from was called: Ah Wan bike rentals. |
Equipment
1l of water
Light snacks
Layers of clothing (depending on the weather)
Some money (to rent the bike and eat lunch if you want)
Little first aid kit (3 bandages,3 alcohol paper)
Light snacks
Layers of clothing (depending on the weather)
Some money (to rent the bike and eat lunch if you want)
Little first aid kit (3 bandages,3 alcohol paper)
Hazard |
Risk |
Control measures |
Emergency Action Plan |
Falling |
Going too fast when riding a bicycle. |
To prevent it please ride at a speed you can control. Do not race with other people for your own safety. If you are 18 or below, please make sure that an adult is around you . |
If you gone too fast when riding the bicycle, please do not panic. Instead brake the right side of the bike first then the left. Just in case you cannot stop your bike, jump off the bike. This is because the impact of jumping a bike cause less injury than crashing into something with a bike. If you have a small injury, you can use your first aid kit. If not there is a injury service center on Science Park road. |
Steep slope(Down) Remember the techniques of how to stop your bike to prevent |
Can't control the speed of your bike and flip over. |
Do not drive to fast down a hill only if you are an expert. |
Call 999 immediately,there should be signals. If you can't reach your phone or you are hurt badly shout for help and tell the other people to call 999 immediately. If you are bleeding really hard, take your shirt or jacket of and put pressure on the wound. Remember do not panic!!! |
Loose Railings |
If you lean on the railings you will fall into the sea. |
To prevent it, do not lean on the railings for comfort or for a picture. |
Swim if you can. If you can not , scream “help” out loud, there should be a lifebuoy nearby. Tell people to throw it to you. Remember do not panic!!! |
Overtaking |
Overtaking someone, when you do not have the ability to do so. Crashing into the person you are overtaking, or falling on the side of the road. |
To prevent it make sure that: the person you are overtaking, knows that you are overtaking him/her. You can give the person signals using your hand. |
When you overtake incorrectly. You are most likely to crash onto the person you are overtaking. If you do, you have to say sorry and treat small injuries with first aid kit. If medium go to the injury center on Science Park Road. If severe, for example a broken bone. Call 999 immediately. |