Built between 1883 and 1917, the Tai Tam Reservoirs were vital to the city’s urban development. Steady freshwater supply enabled industrial development to flourish. The area was so strategic that it became a battleground during World War II. Today, you can still find remnants of the war, such as pillboxes, bunkers and wartime communal stoves hiding in tranquil woodland.
The adjacent Tai Tam Country Park (Quarry Bay Extension) is a smaller sanctuary designated in 1979. Photo credit: industrialhistoryhk.org
Starting Point — Wong Nai Chung Reservoir
Literally ‘yellowish muddy creek’, Wong Nai Chung was dammed in 1899 to form Wong Nai Chung Reservoir. Have fun spotting kois, catfishes and tortoises. The nearby Wong Nai Chung Gap was a strategic defensive position during World War II. On 18 December 1941, Japanese troops began advancing up the hills from the north shore to capture the gap after some of the fiercest fighting of the invasion. Photo credit: thepoortraveler.net
Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs
Enjoy the shade as you pass by Hong Kong Parkview onto the paved path towards the reservoirs of Tai Tam. On any clear day, you’ll see perfect reflections of the hills and bridges on the glassy water surface.
To cater to the ever-increasing demand for water, towards the end of the 19th century, parts of the rugged valley of Tai Tam were dammed. The improved water supply made way for urbanisation to be extended from ‘Victoria City’ to the eastern side of Hong Kong Island. Photo credit: industrialhistoryhk.org
Quarry Gap
Take a break at this crossroad of Mount Parker Road and the Hong Kong Trail. The Cantonese name of this hill pass, ‘Tai Fung Au’, means ‘windy gap’, and perfectly captures the breeziness of this hikers’ rest stop. Photo credit: topick.hket.com
Wartime Stoves
Follow the pleasantly shaded Mount Parker Road to the Hong Pak Country Trail, then turn onto the Quarry Bay Tree Walk. You will find dozens of field stoves, which were built as part of the city’s defence preparations during World War II. Photo credit: youtube.com
Woodside Biodiversity Education Centre
From the end of the walk, continue on Mount Parker Road Green Trail for 15 minutes, until an exquisite red brick house comes into sight. Formerly the residence of Taikoo Sugar Refinery, which at one time was the world’s largest single unit refinery, this quaint mansion built in the 1920s was used briefly for refugees during World War II. Now, it showcases the biodiversity and conservation efforts in Hong Kong through interactive galleries.
End Point — Tong Chong Street
As you finish the hike and head to MTR Quarry Bay Station, you’ll come across Tong Chong Street — literally ‘Sugar Refinery Street’ in Chinese. Glass-windowed skyscrapers have now replaced factory buildings, and cafés and pubs line both sides of the street instead of piles of sugar cane. Photo credit: zh.wikipedia.org
Click here for a better resolution of the Tai Tam Country Park to Quarry Bay map.
Info:
Area: Southern and Eastern Districts
Starting point: Wong Nai Chung Reservoir
Endpoint: Tong Chong Street
Average hiking time: About 3 hours
Distance: Approximately 8 km
Replenishing stations: There is a supermarket at Hong Kong Parkview. Fuel up at cafés and restaurants on Tong Chong Street or King’s Road after the hike.
Difficulty: Moderate
Level and mostly shaded paths with some uphill sections
How to get there:
To the starting point:
From MTR Hong Kong Station Exit A, take bus 6 or 66 or from the Exchange Square bus terminus to Wong Nai Chung Gap Road.
From the endpoint:
Head to your next destination from MTR Quarry Bay Station.
