Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden
Situated on the slopes of one of Hong Kong’s highest mountains, the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden has outdoor activities that will appeal to the whole family. The conservation centre’s paths take you wandering through vegetable gardens, greenhouses of beautiful flowers and plants, and scores of different animals. But it’s more than just a pretty face; the farm has also pioneered organic growth methods in Hong Kong, and helped introduce local strains of pigs and chickens, which you can see there.
This sprawling green sanctuary was originally established by the wealthy Kadoorie brothers to provide some aid to poor local farmers. Just inside the main gate, you can get a taste of what the old farming days of Hong Kong were like by visiting the Farm Museum, which features fascinating pictures and old farming implements.
Follow signs in the lower part of the farm to visit small pools housing waterfowl, including flamingos, and to check out deer in an enclosure. The farm extends up the side of the mountain and its higher reaches can be accessed by shuttle bus. If you’re keen for some sweeping views of the countryside, head to the top near the Kadoorie Brothers’ Memorial Pavilion. This area also features a wood and scrubland, which is a conservation area. If you are lucky, you just might see porcupines, pangolin or barking deer, although the best time to see them is at dusk as they’re mostly nocturnal.
You could spend hours wandering around the farm — it’s best to pick up a map at the entrance.
Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden is a conservation and education centre. It is a natural cradle of biodiversity - of plants and wild animals. Photo credit: webs-of-significance.blogspot.com
Address: Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, New Territories
Telephone: +852 2483 7200
Website: www.kfbg.org
How to get there:
MTR Tai Po Market Station Exit A1 or Kam Sheung Road Station Exit C. Take bus 64K and alight at the Kadoorie Farm stop; or,
MTR Tai Wo Station Exit A, then catch a taxi.