The East Dam
Columns and sea views.
Minghong — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Minghong — CC BY-SA 4.0 · LN9267 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · rheins — CC BY 3.0 · LN9267 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark covers over 150 square kilometres in the eastern and northeastern New Territories. Its best known sight is the hexagonal volcanic rock columns dropping into a turquoise sea, a natural side of the city that few visitors know. It opened on 3 November 2009 as a national geopark, and on 18 September 2011 UNESCO added it to its global network. It has two regions: the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region, with columns of international significance, and the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region, which shows the geological history of Hong Kong. The easiest place to see the columns is the East Dam of High Island Reservoir, where huge concrete blocks meet the columns and the sea. Small islands lie offshore, including Po Pin Chau with its sheer wall, and Conic Island. From above, the blue reservoir sits among the hills, with boats passing between the islands. It is 10.6 km in a straight line from the Sai Kung waterfront, and the simplest way to the dam is by taxi from the town, so ask about getting back before you leave. Boat tours run from Sai Kung to some of the islands, and the town has a geopark information centre. Bring water and sun protection, as the dam has no shade, and stay away from the edges in bad weather.
Columns and sea views.
A sheer wall above the sea.
Ringed by hills.
Eastern and northeastern New Territories
Most easily at the East Dam of High Island Reservoir, by taxi from Sai Kung.
Not for the dam, but a close look at the islands needs a boat tour from Sai Kung.