Long Valley is a freshwater wetland located in the northern part of the New Territories. It features an extensive stretch of farmland located on a triangular flood plain formed by the deposition of sediment carried by the Sheung Yue River and the Shek Sheung River. Long Valley, originally known as ‘Dai Bei’, got its current name after foreigners who often came here to watch birds found its shape to be like an expansive valley. In 1999, when the construction of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, a branch line of the KCR East Rail Line, commenced, local birdwatchers gave the place a Chinese name (pronounced ‘Long Yuen’) based on the English name.
Both dry and wet farmland can be found in the Long Valley plain. The dry farmland is home to vegetables, flowering crops, orchards, nurseries, dwarf shrubs and perennial grasses, while the wet agricultural land is planted with vegetables such as water spinach and watercress. In addition, there are also red worm ponds and lotus ponds. These habitats have attracted many birds to live and look for food within the freshwater wetland. So far, more than 200 bird species have been recorded here, including painted snipes, purple-backed bitterns, kestrels, spotted thrushes and grasshopper warblers, 25 of which are key species of conservation concern. These bird species show up here at different times of the year, making the plain a popular bird-watching site for bird enthusiasts. Apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata) can often be found in wet fields and irrigation channels. Catfish and Tilapia are also visible in waterways.
Suggested Routes:
1. Take a taxi at Sheung Shui Station > Get off at Yin Kong Tsuen > Get off at Yin Kong Tsuen Public Toilet > Long Valley (where you see farmland)
2. Take green mini-bus route no. 51K at the mini-bus stand between Sheung Shui Plaza and Sheung Shui Station > Get off at the terminus in Ho Sheung Heung > Beas River> Beas River Bridge> Long Valley
3. Sheung Shui Station> Get off at Yin Kong Tsuen > Walk along the village path to Long Valley
