ROUTE 3: LIVING WORKS OF TIME
The Plover Cove Reservoir water gathering ground was once occupied by vibrant villages. As time passed, some villages faded away, some became submerged by water, while others persist. Route 3 takes you to explore Wu Kau Tang's cultural history as well as the geological landscape, to gain a better understanding of the area.
You may be surprised to learn: the original name of Wu Kau Tang was “Wu Gau Tin”—The Field of Tortoises! Legend has it that tortoises were frequently encountered as people worked their farms. The somewhat humiliating name was later changed by a scholar to “Wu Kau Tang”, to denote the power of a formidable dragon.
Wu Kau Tang is the most ancient village in Tai Po, settled four hundred years ago. Today Wu Kau Tang has developed into a large group of villages that includes Lo Wai, Ho Pui, Tin Sam, Leng Pui, San Uk Tsuen and Sam Ka Tsuen.
Embraced by mountains, with abundant water from the numerous streams, farming was the way villagers earned their living in the past. Small dams, or weirs, were built to intercept stream water for irrigation. These weirs have stood the test of time and are still used to store water today, even though farming has greatly declined.
You may not know that the peaceful village was once the base of resistance against the invading Japanese! On 16 August 1942, on the lunar calendar, the Japanese military launched an attack on Wu Kau Tang and forced the villagers to hand over weapons and members of the resistance. The villagers refused and were killed in the end. After the war, villagers set up a cenotaph in honour of the people sacrificed. Today, on 16 August of the lunar calendar every year, a memorial service is still held for the martyrs.
Ever-flowing water is an agent of erosion. Over time, different rocks in the riverbed are eroded to various degrees, forming abrupt or even vertical drops. The waterfall of the Bride's Pool has formed through such a geological process.
After abundant rain, the waterfall plunging over Bride's Pool cliff is a veritable beauty, resembling a classic wedding dress!
Pay special attention when you walk along the stream. Apart from the wet rock surfaces, there is the danger of falling on the numerous round potholes. These potholes are created by the erosive force of flowing water coupled with abrasion by gravel and rocks. The round holes of various sizes are all natural artworks!
On the opposite bank, there is a broad, open channel with water cascading towards the reservoir. The incoming water is from the Dongjiang – East River, in nearby Guangdong province.
Plover Cove Reservoir is one of the reservoirs used to temporarily store water from Dongjiang. Each year, over 1.5 million cubic metres of Dongjiang water is stored here. When the Dongjiang water transfer system is suspended for maintenance, the stored water plus rainwater collected in the water gathering ground of Plover Cove Reservoir becomes the main water source in Hong Kong!
On days when the water level is low, you may find some ruined masonry buildings along the bank. These are the relics of old villages.
There were six Hakka villages in the area of present-day Plover Cove Reservoir—at Luk Heung of Plover Cove: this comprised Siu Kau, Tai Kau, Kam Chuk Pai, Wang Leng Tau, Chung Mei and Chung Pui. The construction of the reservoir raised the water level and the original villages were either submerged or cleared for road works. Villagers were evacuated, and only buildings remained. The villagers were relocated to Luk Heung San Tsuen, in Tai Po Market.
