Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [67]
Green Minibus Bus 25K also runs between Tai Po Market and Tai Mo Shan.
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For information on accessing stages of the MacLehose Trail and the Wilson Trail near Tai Mo Shan, see Click here.
NG TUNG CHAI WATERFALL & KADOORIE FARM & BOTANIC GARDEN Map
2483 7200; www.kfbg.org.hk; Lam Kam Rd; admission free; 9.30am-5pm; 64K
The scenic area around the Ng Tung Chai Waterfall is worth a detour. It is near the village of Ng Tung Chai, which is several kilometres north of Tai Mo Shan and just south of Lam Kam Rd. Reach the series of streams and waterfalls by taking the path leading to Ng Tung Chai and the Lam Kam Rd from the radio station on the summit of Tai Mo Shan.
Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden, southwest of Ng Tung Chai, is primarily a conservation and teaching centre, but the gardens are especially lovely, with many indigenous birds, animals, insects and plants in residence.
You can reach Kadoorie Farm most easily on bus 64K, which runs between Yuen Long MTR West Rail station and Tai Po Market MTR East station; get off on Lam Kam Rd near the sign for Ng Tung Chai village. If you walk from Tai Mo Shan to the village of Ng Tung Chai, you can catch green minibus 25K to Tai Po Market MTR East Rail station as well.
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TUEN MUN
Eating Click here; The Arts Click here
The largest and most important New Town in the western New Territories, Tuen Mun ( Map) is not much of a destination in itself, but you may well transit through it as it is linked with other centres in Kowloon and the New Territories by the MTR West Rail. If you’re travelling to Tuen Mun from Tsuen Wan or points in Kowloon or Hong Kong Island by bus, sit on the upper deck on the left side for spectacular views of the Tsing Ma Bridge, which links Kowloon with Lantau Island. In recent years a number of important archaeological discoveries have been made here, notably to the north and west of Tuen Mun town (see Click here).
As always in New Towns, the centre of Tuen Mun is dominated by rather mundane commercial developments and shopping centres. Most buses stop at the station just west of the town hall, where you’ll also find the Town Centre station of the Light Rail.
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TRANSPORT – TUEN MUN
Bus An alternative route along the coast to Tuen Mun is to take bus 60M from Tsuen Wan MTR station (exit A3).
Ferry Services to Tuen Mun ferry pier arrive from Tung Chung, Sha Lo Wan and Tai O (all on Lantau). Ferries to the airport, Tung Chung and Tai O on Lantau depart from the pier to the southwest of the town centre.
Light Rail Tuen Mun is towards the southern end of the useful Light Rail network. Other major points include Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long and Siu Hong. The station is linked to the MTR station.
MTR Tuen Mun is on the West Rail line.
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HONG KONG WETLAND PARK Map
2708 8885; www.wetlandpark.com/en/index.asp; Wetland Park Rd, Tin Shui Wai; adult/child $30/15; 10am-5pm; line 705 or 706
The space and serenity of this 60-hectare ecological park make it a wonderful place to while away half a day. Its nature trails, bird hides and viewing platforms are windows on the wetland ecosystems and biodiversity of the northwest New Territories. The futuristic grass-covered headquarters houses interesting galleries (including one on tropical swamps), a film theatre, a large cafe and a viewing gallery. It’s oddly pleasing to watch in silence as a kingfisher dives and then turn 180 degrees to be faced with a bank of high-rise apartment blocks. If you have binoculars then bring them; otherwise be prepared to wait to use the fixed points in the viewing galleries and hides.
To reach the Hong Kong Wetland Park, take the MTR West Rail to Tin Shui Wai and board Light Rail line 705 or 706, alighting at the Wetland Park stop. It can also be reached directly from Hong Kong Island, from the Admiralty MTR bus station on bus 967.
MIU FAT MONASTERY Map
2461 8567; 18 Castle Peak Rd; 9am-5pm; line 751
Miu Fat Monastery in Lam Tei, due north of Tuen Mun town centre, is one of the best