ROUTE 4: SHING MUN RAMBLE – TRAVERSING THE RIDGES

Settled in Route Twisk of Tai Mo Shan, Chuen Lung village was formed by the Tsang's family of Hakka. As the legend tells, ancestors of the villagers moved to Chuen Lung in Tai Mo Shan to avoid intrusion of pirates in the Yongle years of the Ming Dynasty (around 600 years ago). "Chuen Lung" was named after the homeland of the old villages, which was located in Longchuan, Guangdong.

The aesthetic tea culture of Chuen Lung makes it an attraction to morning hikers to drop by for some classic canton culinary. Scholars suggested that villagers in the past seeded a considerable number of Camellias for living as the land of Tai Mo Shan is perfect for growing Camellias. The tea industry in Tai Mo Shan eventually came to an end in the 1920s.

It is suggested to kick your journey off in the morning and continue after replenishing yourself in the tea restaurant here. As the only populated village in the Shing Mun Reservoir Water Gathering Ground supplied with delish delight, there isn't any doubt to make Chuen Lung a must-see-village spot for your hike, right?

Flowing restlessly under the bridge is the Tai Tso Stream. Originated from the southwestern slope of Tai Mo Shan, Tai Tso Stream passes through Chuen Lung village and connects with the Shing Mun Reservoir catchwater in Tai Kiu Tsuen on Route Twisk. During heavy rain, water that floods out from the stream to the catchwater becomes one of the major water sources for Shing Mun Reservoir.

In the early 20th century, since aquatic vegetables cropping in urban area was banned by the British Hong Kong Government, many farmers moved to Chuen Lung and acquired the knowledge of planting Watercress. Chuen Lung became famous for Watercress farming. The crop is particularly tasty here because of the clean and crystal-clear water of Tai Tso Stream that feeds it. You may have a taste of it in the tea restaurant here.

The eco-richness of Chuen Lung casts the spotlight on the only butterfly species of the Acraeinae family found in Hong Kong—the Yellow Coster (Acraea issoria). Its narrow distribution was recorded only in scattered places, for example, A Ma Wat, Hok Tau and Sha Lo Tung. A stable community of Yellow Coster was reported in Chuen Lung, so why not try your luck?

Before reaching the entrance of Lung Mun Country Trail, there are village-common waterworks along the road, namely the Chuen Lung Fresh Water Pump House and Chuen Lung Fresh Water Tank. Drinking water is transported from the reservoir and pumping station through water pipes to the fresh water tank and pump house, upon adding water pressure the drinking water will be distributed to the villagers.

In the early days, plantations in the vicinity of Shing Mun were devastated during the Japanese Occupation. Thanks to the government's plantation work in the post-war period, fast-growing foreign species such as Taiwan Acacia (Acacia confusa), Brisbane Box (Lophostemon confertus) and Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) were cultivated along the reservoir routes. These species all grow exclusively well in poor soil.

Yet, as the tree ages, not to mention the lower eco-value of exotic plantations than native species, the government launched the "Country Parks Plantation Enrichment Programme", in order to replace the exotic species by the more ecologically valuable native species to enhance biodiversity in the country parks.

Passing through the three bridges, we now come to the upper course of Tai Yuen Stream, one of the richest in terms of water flow and aquatic organisms in the Shing Mun Reservoir Water Gathering Ground. Looking down from the bridge, you may find plentiful fishes even in the flickering stream!

The headwater of Tai Yuen Stream runs from the southern slope of Tai Mo Shan through the Yuen Yuen Institute, hence earning its name from the two places. The gushing stream is listed as one of the "Top Nine Streams" of Hong Kong. The stream stretches to Route Twisk, where it is intercepted by the Shing Mun Reservoir catchwater.

Resting on the 600m-altitude crossroad of Tai Mo Shan Country Park and Shing Mun Country Park, the Sheung Sze Forest Trail gives a panoramic view of Tsuen Wan District. This is where nature woodland meets the concrete jungle—freeing your mind requires no advanced life hack!

Pay attention to the uneven roads—and the bird songs! The coherent and clear chirping gives hint of the Fork-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga christinae). It is a small, boisterous yet common species around the trail in a rainbow-tinted body. It behaves vigorously, not even the most patient birdwatcher can easily catch a glimpse of it!

You know the end point is around the corner when reaching the Shing Mun Reservoir. It is recommended to take another 20-minute walk to visit the Paper-bark Tree Tunnel. The tunnel is impressive for the rows of towering trees with grayish white bark that peels off in thin layers. Many hikers come especially here for the tunnel indeed!