Located in southeastern Tai Mo Shan, Shing Mun Reservoir nestles in Shing Mun Valley between Needle Hill and Grassy Hill. It is the largest water storage facility at the foot of Tai Mo Shan. The name ‘Shing Mun’ can be traced back to Li Wanrong, a general in the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644), who erected a fortress in the lower part of the Shing Mun River valley in defence of Qing soldiers. Hence the area became known as Shing Mun or ‘fortified gate’. It was the first reservoir to supply water from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island. Conceptualized in 1923, the reservoir was constructed in three phases, with Phase III construction work completed in 1936 (1937). The reservoir was also named ‘Jubilee Reservoir’, which was designated to celebrate the Silver Jubilee (1935) of King George V. Today, a memorial stone still stands at the main dam that documents the history of the reservoir.
Bestowed with lyrical scenery, it has been one of the best loved leisure destinations in Hong Kong for decades. Funded by the Sir David Trench Fund for Recreation, the government introduced a pilot programme for countryside recreation facilities in 1971. Designated in 1977, Shing Mun Country Park was one of the first country parks in the territory.
The reservoir is orbited by a winding lakeside path that stretches for 8.5 km. It takes you deep into the beautiful Shing Mun woodlands. In summer, Common Melastomas (Melastoma candidum) dress the slopes in a bubbly pink, against chartreuse ravines overlaid with Galingales. Profuse trees such as Paper-Bark Tree and the Chinese sweet gum surround the water. In autumn, their leaves turn red in profusion and vie for attention. To the north of Shing Mun Reservoir, you find Tai Shing Stream. Voted one of the nine greatest streams of Hong Kong, it is a broad waterway with an exuberant flow. It is also a major rock stream that feeds the Shing Mun Reservoir. Along Tai Shing Stream, there is a dazzling show of flowering plants. Several species of camellia grow here, including the rare Grantham’s Camellia (Camellia granthamiana). In front of the reservoir one finds a fung shui wood harbouring magnificent old trees belonging to more than 70 species. To preserve the local flora, this site has been designated as a Special Area protected by law.
Suggested Route:
Take minibus no.82 at Tsuen Wan MTR Station > Shing Mun Reservoir Pineapple Dam
