The Year of the Monkey is just around the corner with the Year of the Goat drawing to a close.  Though the Chinese New Year is usually a time for family reunions and friend gatherings, you may take this opportunity to enjoy nature or know more about Hong Kong’s history and culture.  Let me introduce a few leisure spots for you to chill out.

Tung O Ancient Trail

The Tung O Ancient Trail in Lantau would be a good choice for fulfilling the above two wishes at once.  The trail starts from the city centre of Tung Chung, passes through San Tau, San Shek Wan and Sham Wat along the north shore of Lantau, and ends in Tai O.  Along the way, you can see the beautiful natural scenery of Lantau’s north shore including mangroves and mudflats of high ecological values, as well as the coast famous for its red sandstone.  There are also many heritages and monuments along the way, such as the Tung Chung Fort, a declared monument, and the Yeung Hau Temple, a Grade 1 historic building.  Arriving in Tai O, you can enjoy the scenery of old fishing villages rarely seen in Hong Kong and savour the local delicacies.  The trail is 16 kilometres long and takes five to six hours to complete.  As we fully recognise how precious these natural and cultural resources are, we have reiterated the need to enhance nature and heritage conservation while proposing Lantau development.  Under the principle of sustainable development, we will also explore ways to enable the general public and visitors to understand and appreciate the beauty of Lantau in a more accessible way.

Nam Sang Wai River Education Trail

If you prefer a relaxing stroll to experience the amazing combination of nature and channel works, you should try the Nam Sang Wai River Education Trail which was officially launched at the end of 2014.  Starting at Castle Peak Road in Yuen Long, the trail makes its way through Nam Sang Wai via the Yuen Long Bypass Floodway, Kam Tin River and Shan Pui River.  There are 10 exhibition panels along the trail to provide information on channel works, river ecology, as well as the natural environment, animals and plants unique to the area.  It is worth noting that improved designs have been adopted for the channel works of Kam Tin River and Shan Pui River.  Instead of simply straightening and cementing the channel as in the past, the natural riverbeds and meanders have been retained.  Practices such as rip-raps (rock armour) and gabions have been adopted for the channel and riverbed to restore the benthic habitat.  As 2 February marks the World Wetlands Day, you may take this opportunity to enjoy the wetlands near Nam Sang Wai along the trail, which is about 5.5 kilometres long and takes around two hours to complete.

Stone Houses Family Garden and Green Hub

Those who are interested in historic buildings and local culture are welcome to visit the Stone Houses Family Garden and the Green Hub, the two projects successfully revitalised through the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme last year.  Located in the culturally rich Kowloon City District, the Stone Houses Family Garden is a Grade 3 historic building, formerly part of the Hau Wong Temple New Village.  The row of Chinese vernacular houses, built after World War II, reflects the architectural styles and villagers’ daily lives of the period.  The garden features a gallery with exhibition panels and videos giving the public an insight into the historic stone houses and the historical development of Kowloon City.  The Green Hub was transformed from the Old Tai Po Police Station, a Grade 1 historic building of great historical, architectural and ecological values.   The project has not only restored the building, but also enhanced the conservation of the Old and Valuable Trees and large trees within the boundary of the Old Tai Po Police Station, as well as the nearby egretry, so as to promote to the general public a low-carbon and sustainable lifestyle.  Part of the facilities in the old police station was converted into a heritage gallery, showcasing the history of the Old Tai Po Police Station, Tai Po District and the New Territories.  These two revitalised historic buildings will be open for public visits on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year.

Looking ahead, we will, as always, strike a proper balance between development and conservation.  While we are committed to increasing land supply to meet the pressing needs of the public, we will also enhance the conservation of heritage and the natural environment to provide people with a better and more comfortable living environment, and maintain the diversity and attractiveness of Hong Kong – our home.  As the Chinese New Year will soon be upon us, I hope everyone will put aside hectic work and disputes, appreciate our city and the people and things around us with a peaceful mind, and embrace a new beginning with humility and gratitude.  May I wish you all good health, the best of luck with your work and a new year full of blessings.