China Danxia — a name for red-coloured landforms specific to China — was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, and Port Island has a similar rock formation of these rare geological landforms in a seascape setting. Rich iron oxide gives the island’s sandstone and siltstone a bright red hue. The rocks at Bluff Head were formed by deposits at estuarine deltas about 400 million years ago, and became vertical under the influence of geological movements. Furthermore, weathering and coastal erosion resulted in some peculiar rocks, most notably the ‘Devil’s Fist’.

This island consists mostly of reddish rocks, and exposes some interesting geological features. Photo credit: discoverhongkong.com

Address: The mouth of Tolo Harbour, Tai Po, New Territories
Website: www.geopark.gov.hk

How to get there:

• Port Island is difficult to get to on your own. You have to hire a boat to get there.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Crescent-shaped Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong’s easternmost island, has long been popular with locals for its picturesque rock formations. It boasts the youngest rocks in Hong Kong — merely 55 million years of age, give or take! These are composed of fine laminated siltstone and mudstone that form an eerily beautiful landscape. Notable areas of geological interest here include Lung Lok Shui, Kang Lau Shek and Cham Keng Chau.

The easternmost island of Hong Kong is formed entirely of sedimentary rocks with a variety of marine abrasion landforms along its coast. Photo credit: hotels.com

Address: Mirs Bay of the northeastern waters, New Territories
Website: www.geopark.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR University Station Exit B and take a taxi to Ma Liu Shui Pier, Sha Tin. From here board the ferry to Tung Ping Chau.

  Ferry service hours: From Ma Liu Shui – 9am and 3:30pm on Saturday; 9am on Sunday and public holidays
  From Tung Ping Chau – 5:15pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays

  Ferry service hotline: +852 2272 2022

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Rising sea levels 6,000 to 8,000 years ago submerged the river valleys in Double Haven, leading to the formation of indented shorelines with headlands and bays. But the mountains in the area were mostly formed some 160 million years ago, when lava mixed with volcanic ash formed rock strata. Later, rivers flowed down from high mountains and washed sand and stones to coastal lowlands, forming reddish sedimentary rock about 500 metres thick. Popular landforms here include Hung Shek Mun, Camp Cove and Double Island.

The Chinese name of the Double Haben is Yan Chau Tong, it is probably inspired by an interesting looking islet which takes the shape of a stone seal. Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Address: Double Haven, New Territories
Website: www.geopark.gov.hk

How to get there:

• MTR University Station Exit B and walk for about 15 minutes to Ma Liu Shui Landing No.3 to take the ferry to Double Haven and attractions including Lai Chi Wo, Kat O and Ap Chau. The boat ride takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.

  Ferry service hours:
  Ma Liu Shui – Lai Chi Wo – Service on Sundays and public holidays only
  Ma Liu Shui – Kat O and Ap Chau – Service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays only
  Click here for ferry service details.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

The Ninepin Group is made up of South Ninepin Island, North Ninepin Island, and East Ninepin Island, along with several small rock islets. North Ninepin Island has the most eye-pleasing abrasion landforms with hexagonal rock columns overspread with joints formed by geological movements.

The Ninepin Group or Kwo Chau Islands is a group of 29 islands in the easternmost waters of Hong Kong. Photo credit: zolimacitymag.com

Address: Ninepin Group, Sai Kung Sea, New Territories
Website: www.geopark.gov.hk

How to get there:

• From MTR Diamond Hill Station, Exit C2, take bus 92; or

• From MTR Choi Hung Station, Exit C2, take minibus 1A; or

• From MTR Hang Hau Station, Exit B1, take minibus 101M to Sai Kung Pier.
  From the pier, hire a boat to Ninepin Group

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

The Ung Kong Group consists of Bluff Island, Wang Chau and Basalt Island. The forces of sea and wind have helped develop numerous steep cliffs and sea arches on the southeast coast of the islands, including the 30-metre-high sea arch at Wang Chau, the 45-metre-high sea arch at Basalt Island, and the Tiu Chung Arch at Jin Island.

Together known as the Ung Kong Group, Wang Chau, Basalt Island and Bluff Island consist of hexagonal columns, which are well exposed along the coast. Photo credit: hongkongcheapo.com

Address: Ung Kong Group, Sai Kung Sea, New Territories
Website: www.geopark.gov.hk

How to get there:

• From MTR Diamond Hill Station, Exit C2, take bus 92; or

• From MTR Choi Hung Station, Exit C2, take minibus 1A; or

• From MTR Hang Hau Station, Exit B1, take minibus 101M to Sai Kung Pier.
  From the pier, hire a boat to Ung Kong Group

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Sharp Island is an important relic of an ancient supervolcano that erupted more than 140 million years ago. The island is covered by rocks formed from volcanic fragments and magma. In the west of the island, you can see an interesting natural bridge — a tombolo — which forms an almost 250-metre-long sand bar connecting Sharp Island and the nearby Kiu Tau Island. At low tide, it emerges above the water, creating a temporary bridge between the two islands.

Sharp Island (Kiu Tsui Chau) is just 2,000 metres off Sai Kung Pier. Photo credit: infinitenation.wordpress.com

Address: Sharp Island, Sai Kung Sea, New Territories
Website: www.geopark.gov.hk

How to get there:

• From MTR Diamond Hill Station, Exit C2, take bus 92; or

• From MTR Choi Hung Station, Exit C2, take minibus 1A; or

• From MTR Hang Hau Station, Exit B1, take minibus 101M to Sai Kung Pier.
  From the pier, hire a village ferry (kaito) to Sharp Island.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Har Gow is a traditional Cantonese dumpling served in dim sum. Surely the #1 top pick from customers in all dim sum restaurants. A must try when you are on your Hello! Hong Kong day tours especially on our food tour!

If you love to cook and would like to try making Har Gow recipe, the procedures are pretty simple to make once you have the right ingredients. The only challenge that you will probably face is folding the wrapper. Do not worry! if you find yourself struggling with it, there are several youtube instructional videos to help you. As what they say practice makes perfect!

A must try dimsum on your Hello! Hong Kong Tour1

Photo credit: Thewoksoflife

INGREDIENTS

For the filling

• 1/2 Pound raw shrimp (225g, peeled, de-veined and patted dry)

• 1 Teaspoon oyster sauce

• 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

• 1/4 Teaspoon white pepper

• 1 Teaspoon sesame oil

• 1/4 Teaspoon salt

• 1 Teaspoon sugar

• 1/2 Teaspoon Ginger (minced)

• 1/4 cup bamboo shoots (finely chopped)

For the dough:

• 1 cup wheat starch

• 1/2 cup cornstarch (or tapioca starch)

• 1 1/4 cups boiling water (add an additional 1 to 2 teaspoons in dryer climates)

• 3 teaspoons lard (or oil)

PROCEDURE

For the filling:

• Mix everything (except the bamboo) together; whip in one direction for a few minutes until the mixture starts to look sticky. Now add the chopped bamboo shoots, and mix everything together. Cover and refrigerate while preparing the dough.

For the dough:

• Mix the wheat starch and cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Slowly add in the boiling water, while stirring rapidly. Now add in the lard (or oil) and continue to stir. Knead the dough for a couple of minutes, until it turns into a smooth dough ball. Roll the dough into a long cylinder, and divide it into 18 equal pieces. Cover the dough pieces with a damp paper towel.

To assemble and cook the dumplings:

• Turn on the stove to pre-boil the water in the steamer. Take one piece of dough and roll it into a 3” diameter circle. Add a spoonful of filling and fold the dumpling as shown in our video. Continue assembling until all the dumplings are made.

• Once the water in the steamer is boiled, steam the shrimp dumplings for 6 minutes using high heat and serve hot. Make sure that they each have an inch and a half to expand during the cooking process.

Now you can try making your own Har Gow dumplings! If you are in doubt and would like to see how to properly fold the wrapper, you can check out thewoksoflife Hargow recipes as they have given a very detailed instruction on how to make this very delicious dish. Happy cooking!

Recipe and instruction credits to Thewoksoflife

The easiest location to view the park’s remarkable geological heritage is High Island. From here, the hexagonal volcanic columns are visible along the coast, as is the rock column wall near the East Dam of High Island Reservoir. You’ll also see other geological features such as twisted columns and dyke intrusions. To provide a safe environment for visitors to view the sea cave up close, the High Island Geo-trail is undergoing enhancements which include a wooden boardwalk and interpretation panels at the end of the trail. 

Also note the volcanic-rock coast of Tai Long Wan — voted by locals as one of ‘Hong Kong’s Top Ten Natural Attractions’.

High Island, known in Chinese as Leung Shuen Wan island is a former island in the southeast of Sai Kung Peninsula, Hong Kong. Photo credit: hulutrip.com

Address: High Island, Sai Kung, New Territories
Website: www.geopark.gov.hk

How to get there:

• Join the East Dam Half-day Tour, available on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Round-trip itinerary is available. Enquiries: +852 2394 1538 (Volcano Discovery Centre); or

• Take bus 94 from Sai Kung town centre or bus 96R (service on Sundays and public holidays only) from MTR Diamond Hill Station. Get off after Pak Tam Chung and walk along Tai Mong Tsai Road to the junction ahead. Turn right on Man Yee Road and walk about 9 km; or

• Take a taxi from Sai Kung town centre or Pak Tam Chung to the High Island Geo Trail.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

Hong Kong UNESCO Geopark Volcano Discovery Centre conveniently located at Sai Kung Waterfront Park offers comprehensive information to advise visitors the best way to explore the Geopark. Visitors can take a peek at rock specimens collected locally and from around the world, as well as a 1:1 scale exhibit of hexagonal rock columns produced by a series of violent volcanic eruptions in Sai Kung 140 million years ago.

The Volcano Discovery Centre is the first exhibition centre on the theme of volcanology in Hong Kong. Photo credit: http://tungbama.blogspot.com/

Address: Sai Kung Waterfront Park, Wai Man Road, Sai Kung, New Territories (next to Sai Kung Bus Terminus)
Telephone: +852 2394 1538
Website: www.volcanodiscoverycentre.hk

How to get there:

• From MTR Diamond Hill Station, Exit C2, take bus 92; or

• From MTR Choi Hung Station, Exit C2, take minibus 1A; or

• From MTR Hang Hau Station, Exit B1, take minibus 101M to Sai Kung town centre then walk to the centre.

 

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.

You don’t have to be a rock buff to enjoy the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. Located in the East and Northeast New Territories, the park includes the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region and showcases Hong Kong’s timeless and eerily beautiful landforms.

Tips

Many island or coastal landforms in the Geopark are best viewed from a boat. In areas with loose and slippery rocks it is best not to go ashore. Also, to protect these landforms, please don’t climb or make any kind of markings on the rocks. Get more out of your visit by joining a guided tour and reading the Geopark information online before departing.

In September 2011, UNESCO listed the Hong Kong Geopark as part of its Global Geoparks Network. Photo credit: hulutrip.com

Volcano Discovery Centre

Hong Kong UNESCO Geopark Volcano Discovery Centre conveniently located at Sai Kung Waterfront Park offers comprehensive information to advise visitors the best way to explore the Geopark. For more information, click here.

High Island

The easiest location to view the park’s remarkable geological heritage is High Island. From here, the hexagonal volcanic columns are visible along the coast, as is the rock column wall near the East Dam of High Island Reservoir. For more information, click here.

Sharp Island

Sharp Island is an important relic of an ancient supervolcano that erupted more than 140 million years ago. The island is covered by rocks formed from volcanic fragments and magma. For more information, click here.

Ung-Kong-Group

The Ung Kong Group consists of Bluff Island, Wang Chau and Basalt Island. The forces of sea and wind have helped develop numerous steep cliffs and sea arches on the southeast coast of the islands, including the 30-metre-high sea arch at Wang Chau, the 45-metre-high sea arch at Basalt Island, and the Tiu Chung Arch at Jin Island. For more information, click here.

Ninepin Group

The Ninepin Group is made up of South Ninepin Island, North Ninepin Island, and East Ninepin Island, along with several small rock islets. North Ninepin Island has the most eye-pleasing abrasion landforms with hexagonal rock columns overspread with joints formed by geological movements. For more information, click here.

Double Haven

Rising sea levels 6,000 to 8,000 years ago submerged the river valleys in Double Haven, leading to the formation of indented shorelines with headlands and bays. But the mountains in the area were mostly formed some 160 million years ago, when lava mixed with volcanic ash formed rock strata. For more information, click here.

Tung Ping Chau

Crescent-shaped Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong’s easternmost island, has long been popular with locals for its picturesque rock formations. It boasts the youngest rocks in Hong Kong — merely 55 million years of age, give or take! For more information, click here.

Port Island & Bluff Head

China Danxia — a name for red-coloured landforms specific to China — was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010, and Port Island has a similar rock formation of these rare geological landforms in a seascape setting. Rich iron oxide gives the island’s sandstone and siltstone a bright red hue. For more information, click here.

Tolo Channel

The oldest rocks in Hong Kong are found along the north coast of Tolo Channel. Ma Shi Chau located west of the channel, features sedimentary rocks formed some 280 million years ago which are the second oldest in Hong Kong. For more information, click here.

With thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board and discoverhongkong.com for the content.