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Yuen Long

Yuen Long (元朗), one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong, located in the North-West of the New Territories, is a post-war new town set in the centre of Hong Kong's largest alluvial plain. With an area of 144 km², it covers Ping Shan Heung (屏山鄉), Ha Tsuen Heung (廈村鄉), Kam Tin Heung (錦田鄉), Pat Heung (八鄉), San Tin Heung (新田鄉), Shap Pat Heung (十八鄉), Yuen Long Town (元朗市) and Tin Shui Wai (天水圍).

Like Tai Po, Yuen Long used to be a traditional market town. The total population of Yuen Long is around 534 000. The present population of Yuen Long New town is 211,000 and is expected to grow to around 287,000 upon full development.

Popular Scenic Spots

1. Kat Hing Wai in Kam Tin is one of the District's best-known walled villages. It is the ancestral home of the Tangs, a famous clan in the territory. Built by the family 500 years ago, it is a rectangular walled village with an area of 100 metres X 90 metres. As a family stronghold, Kat Hing Wai has served the Tangs well through the centuries. In the Qing Dynasty, a five-metre high blue brick wall and four cannon towers were added to defend bandits.

Route: West Rail Kam Sheung Road Station or KMB Rt. 51, 54, 64K

2. Tai Lam Country Park is at the west of New Territory with an area of 54 km². Tai Lam has a small area of porphyry in the NorthEast and for the remaining area, it is composed of highly erodible decomposed granite.In 1952, afforestation started as a measure to protect the water catchment area. In spite of the poor soil conditions and the set-backs of fire damage over the years, mature stands of Acacia confusa, Lophostemon confertus, Pinus massoniana, Pinus elliottii and Eucalyptus species now cover most of the area. In addition, the plantations also offer a good habitat for birds, pangolins, Chinese leopard cat, and barking deer. Nevertheless, Tai Lam is an excellent place for outdoor activities because of its remoteness.

3. Mai Po Marsh is located in the centre of the wetland and has achieved international significance as a stopping and feeding place for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australian Flyway. The birdwatching season runs from October to May and more than 300 type of birds have been recorded in the area, many of them are rarely seen anywhere outside the region

Visitors or Tourists may go to Mai po in the following ways:
-From Central take Bus no. 968 to Yuen Long (West) Bus terminal, then change taxi.
-From sheungshui 上水 railway station take Bus 76K to Mai po village, then walk to the Marsh (around 20 minutes).
-From sheungshui 上水 railway station take Green mini-bus 17 to Mai po village, then walk to the Marsh (around 20 minutes).

＊NOTE
On 30 Jan 2004, the HK Gov.suspended public visits to the Mai Po wetland reserve as supposed measure to protect people from avian flu (H5N1).

5. Hong Kong Wetland Park(香港濕地公園) is located at the northern part of Tin Shui Wai. It was intended to be an ecological mitigation area (EMA) for the wetlands lost due to Tin Shui Wai New Town development. In 1998, a project named as ?International Wetland Park and Visitor Centre Feasibility Study? was initiated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Hong Kong Tourism Board with a view to expanding the EMA to a wetland ecotourism attraction. After concluding that it was feasible to develop a Wetland Park at the EMA site without compromising its intended ecological mitigation functions and the development of the Wetland Park will also enhance the ecological function of the EMA to a world-class conservation, education and tourism facility, the concerned parties started the Wetland Park Project, which is regarded as one of the Millennium projects by the Administrations.

6. Shan Pui River (山貝河) became famous since late 2003. This muddy, dirty, narrow river was the water source of the many citizens living in the nearby village. Few months ago, a crocodile was discovered by the citizens living there and soon reporters were attracted to the river to observe it. This premature crocodile was reported as one of the species by the expertise.

7. Dai Shui Ha Tin Hau Temple 大樹下天后廟)