PARKS & GARDENS - KOWLOON & NEW TERRITORIES

PARKS AND GARDENS – KOWLOON & NEW TERRITORIES

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KOWLOON PARK
22, Austin Road, Tsim Tsa Tsui, Kowloon

Haiphong Road entrance to Kowloon Park

Located in one of Hong Kong’s busiest districts Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Park which covers an area of 13.47 hectares was opened in 1970 and underwent a major redevelopment in 1989. The site was once home to the British Army’s Whitfield Barracks part of which has been restored and houses the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre (see MUSEUMS - KOWLOON for more information about Discovery Centre).

Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in the former Whitfield Barracks

The park runs to parallel to Nathan Road and there are several entrances from Nathan Road, Haiphong Road, Austin Road and Canton Road and there is also a pedestrian footbridge link from China Ferry Terminal at China Hong Kong City. A central avenue runs through the park from Haiphong Road to Austin Road and the northern end of the park is the location for Kowloon Park Sports Centre with multi-purpose arena, dance room, fitness room and squash courts and also Kowloon Park Swimming Pool which has both indoor and outdoor pools. There is also a piazza towards the northern end of the central avenue which is often the location for outdoor exhibitions and concerts. The park has a small aviary with around 40 species of 140 birds including macaws and parrots, Bird Lake with over 200 birds including swans, flamingos, ducks and pochards, Chinese Garden with lotus ponds and rock cascades, maze garden, sculpture walk, a 200-metre loggia providing shelter and seating in wet weather and landscaped roof gardens above Park Lane Shopper’s Boulevard.

Fountain Lake, Kowloon Park

Every Sunday afternoon between 2-30pm and 4-30pm the Sculpture Walk becomes “Kung Fu Corner” where there are free demonstrations of martial arts and lion and dragon dancing. Also on Sundays and public holidays an arts fun fair operates from 1pm until 7pm at the Loggia with about 30 stalls. The stalls sell handicrafts and providing arts services. Handicrafts and artworks include pottery, straw-weaving work, dough models, paper craftwork, carving work, accessories, floral artwork, sand paintings, cloth artwork and clay work. Services provided include photography, painting, calligraphy, silhouette cutting and sketching or caricature.

Bird Lake and Pink Flamingos, Kowloon Park

ADMISSION - Free admission to park. Charges apply for swimming pool and sports centre.

OPENING HOURS – Park open 5am to midnight daily. Swimming pool open 6-30am to 12 noon, 1pm to 5pm and 6pm to 10pm daily. Sports Centre open 7am to 11pm daily. Bird Lake open 6-30am to 6-45pm. Aviary open 6-30am to 6-45pm March to October, 6-30am to 5-45pm November to February. Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre open 10am to 6pm Monday to Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10am to 7pm Sundays and public holidays. Closed Thursdays.

PARK MAP - http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks/kp/graphics/common/image095.jpg

GETTING THERE – Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station exit A1 (next to Kowloon Mosque on Nathan Road) at southern end of park. Jordan MTR Station exit D then cross Nathan Road and walk (about 3 minutes) short distance along Austin Road for northern end of park next to Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station. Several entrances also on Nathan Road, Haiphong Road, Kowloon Park Road, Canton Road, Austin Road. Also elevated pedestrian walkway from Promenade Level of China Hong Kong City/Royal Pacific Hotel on Canton Road.

KOWLOON WALLED CITY PARK
Tung Tau Tsuen Road, Kowloon City

Entrance gate to Garden of Four Seasons

One of Hong Kong’s most interesting and attractive parks Kowloon Walled City Park occupies a historic site and covers an area of 31,000 square metres. The site was used by imperial officials in the 15th century and was first fortified in 1668 when a signal station was established there. In about 1810, a small fort was built at the head of the beach which then adjoined the site. Following the British occupation of Hong Kong Island in 1841 a walled garrison-city was constructed. Massive stone walls with six watchtowers and four gates enclosed the area which measured about 6.5 acres. The interior was dominated by the offices of the Commodore of the Dapeng Brigade, and the Kowloon Assistant Military Inspectorate, commonly known as 'Yamen'.

The Yamen

Other military buildings included soldiers' quarters, gunpowder and ordnance magazines. In addition some civilian houses could also be found in the City which was to eventually house over 500 troops. In 1898, the New Territories were leased to the British for a term of 99 years. Initially Qing officials remained in the City but in 1899 British troops were sent to take over the City and the Qing officials and soldiers were expelled. A lack of civil order from 1899 laid the seeds for the eventual deterioration of the area into a semi-lawless enclave and festering squatter slum. During the Japanese occupation of 1941-45 the wall was torn down and the stone used to extend the nearby Kai Tak airfield. After the war illegal high-rise tenements lacking proper foundations were built and covered virtually the whole site. The Walled City with its dank alleyways became a notorious triad nest of drug divans, criminal hide-outs, vice dens and even cheap, unlicensed dentists. The site was demolished in 1994 and despite decades of neglect and misuse of the site, a rewarding number of relics were unearthed, many of which were incorporated in the design or preserved as exhibits. The main discoveries were two carved granite plaques from the original South Gate, which had been the main entrance, one bearing the characters for "South Gate" and the other "Kowloon Walled City". Other remnants included the foundation of the former wall, the foundations of the South and East Gates, and a flag-stone path next to the drainage ditch running along the foot of the inner wall. Other relics included three old cannons, stone lintels and couplets, and column bases. The design of the park was inspired by the Jiangnan garden style of the early Qing Dynasty.

Six Arts Terrace outside The Yamen is a popular shaded spot for local elders to relax. One of three cannons from the old Walled City is visible in the background

Construction of the park was completed in August 1995 with the park being divided into eight landscaped scenic zones;

THE YAMEN – a three-hall structure and courtyard complex in the centre of park restored to its Qing Dynasty look and allowing visitors a glimpse of how the walled garrison once looked. It houses a photo exhibition and many relics found in the Walled City.

THE OLD SOUTH GATE – the foundations of the original South Gate and two stone plaques discovered in during excavation in 1994.

EIGHT FLORAL WALKS – eight paved walks with different floral patterns on either side.

THE GARDEN OF FOUR SEASONS – located immediately next to the Yamen is an exhibition space for periodic displays of bonsai.

THE GARDEN OF CHINESE ZODIAC – sculptures of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs.

THE CHESS GARDEN – four giant Chinese chess-boards built with pebble stones and linked to a Ming-style Twin Pavilion.

THE MOUNTAIN VIEW PAVILION – Chinese pavilion with magnificent views of Lion Rock on the nearby mountains of Kowloon.

GUIBI AND FUI SING PAVILION – a rock sculpture carved from Anhui Taihu Stone with veins resembling ancient jade and a pavilion named after the star of the Big Dipper which represents the God of Examination.

Lung Nam Pavilion

Adjoining the southern and western boundaries of the park is Carpenter Road Park with gardens, pavilions and sitting-out areas.

ADMISSION – Free

OPENING HOURS – 6-30am to 11pm daily

PARK MAP - http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks/kwcp/graphics/layout_plan_l.jpg

GETTING THERE – Nearest MTR Station is Lok Fu from where it is about 20 minutes walk from exit B via Junction Road south to park North-West Gate on Tung Tau Tsuen Road near its junction with Junction Road or take Green Minibus 39M from Lok Fu MTR Station which passes park entrances on Tung Tau Tsuen Road. From Star Ferry Bus Terminus at Tsim Sha Tsui bus number 1 stops outside the park on Tung Tau Tsuen Road. Other routes serving the park are 111K,10, 85C and 113 which stop on Tung Tau Tsuen Road. Bus routes 11D,11K,75X,85,85A,85B,85C and 891 pass the Junction Road entrance to the park. Bus routes1A,2A,3B,5,5C,5D,6D,9,11,11B,11D,13D,14,15,16,17,21,24,26,27,28,40,42,61X,93K,95,98C,101,106,107,111,116,203E,296C,297,796X and E23 all stop on Prince Edward Road East near Sa Po Road about 5 minutes walk from the park’s South-East Gate. The stop to disembark from the bus is displayed in the bus as “Regal Oriental Hotel”.

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NAN LIAN GARDEN
60, Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Kowloon

Gold-plated Perfection Pavilion, Nan Lian Garden

Since opening in November 2006 the beautifully landscaped classical Tang Dynasty Nan Lian Garden has become a major attraction. The design and construction of the 3.5 hectare garden was jointly funded by the adjacent Chi Lin Nunnery and the Hong Kong Government in order to promote traditional Chinese culture. Under an agreement with the government Chi Lin Nunnery is responsible for management and maintenance of the garden for five years for a nominal fee of HK$1. The gardens project an air of serene tranquillity in complete contrast to the surrounding urban hustle and bustle. The design is based on the famous Jiangshouju Garden in Shanxi Province and visitors follow a one-way circular path through the garden allowing them to absorb the splendour of the Tang Dynasty culture. Water features include the Lotus Pond, Blue Pond, Pine Brook, Moon Wash and Silver Strand Waterfall.

Blue Pond

Large rocks from Guangxi Province and northern Guangdong Province are placed at various locations and hillocks decorated with rocks have been created. Thousands of trees including Buddhist Pine, Cypress, Black Pine, Orange Jasmine, Chinese Hackberry, India Laurel Fig and Elm have been planted and timber structures in Tang architectural style have been built including the gold-plated Pavilion of Absolute Perfection, terraces, verandahs, halls, bridges and black lintel gate at the garden entrance. These features incorporate major landscape gardening styles including jie jing (borrowed scene), tou jing (penetrating scene), yan jing (concealing scene), ge jing (separating scene) and kuo jing (magnifying scene).

Waterfall, Blue Pond

At the start of the circular path is the Chinese Timber Architecture Gallery with scale models of China’s heritage in timber structures and near the end of the path is the indoor Rockery and Penjing (Bonsai) Garden. There is a vegetarian restaurant Long Men Lou in the north-eastern corner of the garden serving both a la carte and set meals, dim sum and tea sets and there is also a souvenir and snack shop selling vegetarian snacks as well as arts and crafts souvenirs. The garden is linked by footbridge to the splendid Chi Lin Nunnery with its Tang architecture, Buddha statues, lotus ponds and bonsai trees. The timber buildings here were built without the use of a single nail and a system of interlocking sections of wood was used in the construction. Visitors should not miss the opportunity to visit the nunnery at the same time as the Nan Lian Garden.

ADMISSION – Free (admission to Chi Lin Nunnery also free)

OPENING HOURS – 7am to 9pm daily (Chi Lin Nunnery open 9am to 5pm daily, nunnery garden open 6-30am to 7pm daily)

WEBSITE – www.nanliangarden.org (Chi Lin Nunnery website – www.chilin.org (Chinese only)

GETTING THERE – Diamond Hill MTR Station exit C2 (about three minutes walk to garden entrance). Bus routes 11,74X,75X,82X,82P,84M,85C,85M,91,91M,92,286M to Diamond Hill Public Transport Interchange (under Diamond Hill MTR Station). Bus routes 3B,10,11C,74X,91,92 stop near garden entrance on Fung Tak Road.

HONG KONG WETLAND PARK
Wetland Park Road, Tin Shui Wai, New Territories

Main Entrance, Hong Kong Wetland Park

Opened in 2006 Hong Kong Wetland Park covers a 61 hectare wetland reserve area on the outskirts of Tin Shui Wai in the north-west New Territories near the mainland border. The park includes freshwater swamps, streams, mangroves, farmlands, fishponds, reedbeds, butterfly garden, floating boardwalk, three bird hides, crocodile enclosure and a large visitor centre. Visitors enter the park through the two-storey Visitor Centre which has a “Living Wetlands” exhibition with five galleries illustration the concept of wetlands, wetlands in the North Pole, tropical swamps, Hong Kong Wetlands the relationship between wetlands and human culture. There is also a “Wetland Challenge” zone with a series of interactive games and where visitors can be a reporter for “Wetland Television” and explore issues and make decisions on how to protect the earth’s natural resources. The Visitor Centre also has a theatre showing short movies about the wetlands and a resource centre. From 21st May 2010 until 4th October 2010 the park is staging "Insect Chorus" allowing visitors a glimpse of the world of insects. Through text and photos on display panels, two exhibitions, "Fantastic World of Insects" and "Meet the Fireflies", will provide information on the body structure and metamorphosis of insects and their interesting habits and behaviours. Giant insect models including ant, dragonfly, grasshopper, stick insect, backswimmer and water skater will also be exhibited for visitors to take a close look at their unique features in detail. The park will arrange guided tours on insects and interpreters will share with participants various facts about insects such as the strategies they use to defend themselves against predators and to find partners.

Visitor Centre

At the entrance to the outdoor Wetland Reserve is the landscaped crocodile habitat and pool which is home to “Pui Pui” a saltwater crocodile captured from the Shan Pui River in 2003 and who is believed to have been an illegal pet dumped having grown too big for her owner.

"Pui Pui" Hong Kong Wetland Park's Saltwater Crocodile captured from a local river in 2003

The Stream Walk passes a waterfall and pool with terrapins and otters and kingfishers can often be seen along the walk. Also along the Stream Walk is the Wetland Discovery Centre which is an outdoor education centre with classrooms and laboratories where visitors can study stream and pond life and use interactive facilities to explore wetland wildlife. The Succession Walk takes visitors along a trail of aquatic plants via a boardwalk enabling an appreciation of the change of species as the habitat changes from open water with floating plants such as water lilies through to emergent plant such as reeds and finally to wet woodland. The floating Mangrove Boardwalk allows close-up views of the four species of mangroves and the tiny animals such as mudskippers and crabs that inhabit the mangrove.

Floating Mangrove Boardwalk

The Wildside Walk is a combination of boardwalk and paths alongside ponds, woodland and grassland where insects such as dragonflies and butterflies are commonplace and there is a Butterfly Garden with over 30 species of food and nectar plants attracting common butterfly species.

Wildside Walk

There are three bird hides along the route around the park each equipped with telescopes which visitors can use free to observe a variety of birds including Egrets, Kingfishers and Black-faced Spoonbills.

Three-storey riverside bird hide

Beyond the ponds and marshes the modern high-rise buildings of Shenzhen just across the mainland China border are clearly visible.

View of fish pond from bird hide

The park has a large fast-food restaurant operated by Café de Coral in the Visitor Centre.

OPENING HOURS – Sunday, Monday and Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm*. Closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and the first two days of Chinese New Year. *Ticket office closes 4pm.

ADMISSION – Adult HK$30, Child and seniors 65 and over HK$15.

WEBSITE – www.wetlandpark.com

GETTING THERE – MTR West Rail to Tin Shui Wai Station then transfer to Light Rail at Tin Shui Wai Station and take Tin Shui Wai circular service 705 or 706 to Wetland Park Light Rail Station. There is an express bus service 967 from Admiralty Bus Station (West) on Hong Kong Island every 20 minutes via Statue Square, Connaught Road Central and the Western Harbour Tunnel to Tin Yan Estate at Tin Shui Wai which stops outside the Wetland Park on Wetland Park Road (journey time from Admiralty about 50 mins).