big day out
MONKEYS, MOUNTAINS AND MACLEHOSE TRAILS Rory Mackay satisfies a burning urge of wanderlust in Shing Mun Country Park If you fancy exploring a peaceful area that many folks don’t know about, then a day trip out to Shing Mun Reservoir could be in order.
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This discreetly tucked away corner of rural Hong Kong has an incredible amount on offer for those who wish to satisfy a burning urge of wanderlust. Located between northwestern Kowloon and Sha Tin, Shing Mun Country Park is well-known for its population of wild monkeys. However, the area has plenty of other attractions too, including an easy-going nature trail around Shing Mun Reservoir. For more adventurous hikers, there are many trails running up to Tai Mo Shan, including the Wilson and Maclehose. The simplest way in (other than driving) is to head over to Tsuen Wan MTR station and take exit B1. From the station it is a five minute walk to the 82 green minibus, which will take you to Shing Mun Country Park, terminating immediately below the grassy banks of
Pineapple Dam. I recommend that you enjoy a meal before your visit or bring a picnic with you, as there are no vendors in the park other than a small kiosk at Pineapple Dam.
Monkey business Once you arrive at Pineapple Dam bus stop, keep an eye out for some of the delightful wildlife on offer, especially during the weekdays. You could be confronted by many monkeys, invariably a troop of Rhesus Macaques. Although the Rhesus species is native to Hong Kong, the Macaques found today are believed to be re-introduced. During the construction of the Kowloon Reservoirs in the early 20th Century, the apes were deployed to the surrounding areas in order to combat the spread of a plant that tainted the water supply.
