Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve is under the jurisdiction of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong. There are five waymarked walks you can take in the nature reserve. Four are ‘colour-coded walks’ and the fifth is a Nature Trail. Planting of the area began in 1926 when the government first began afforestation in the New Territories. The dominant tree was Chinese Red Pine (Pinus massoniana) and because of this the nature reserve has come to be known locally as Tsung Tsai Yuen, meaning Pine Garden. Today, the tree saplings have grown into tall trees. There are also many species of plants such as climbing plants, ferns, mosses and lichens, earning the reserve the name of the ‘Amazon Forest of Hong Kong’. This nature reserve has long been popular with those especially interested in nature, including naturalists and biologists, plus those who feel a need for quiet and unspoiled surroundings. The nature lover who walks quietly in the forest may see many species of bird and animal species, such as Spotted Dove and Chinese Bulbul. Barking deer may be heard now and then. In late winter and early spring there are many beautiful butterflies.
The trails within Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve are generally flat. Visitors can choose one that best fits their time arrangement, making it an ideal place for a family tour. However, no barbecue pits are provided, and no fires of any kind are permitted. Nor is there any eatery along the routes inside the reserve. So bring along your own snacks and drinks for a picnic.
