Hong Kong Wetland Park

The Wetland Park opened in 2006 on land beside Tin Shui Wai new town, built partly as ecological compensation for development on the Deep Bay wetlands, and it does two jobs: a large indoor visitor centre with exhibitions on wetlands worldwide, and outside a set of reconstructed habitats, reedbed, mangrove, freshwater marsh and mudflat, crossed by boardwalks and served by three bird hides looking toward Deep Bay. It is far easier to reach than Mai Po next door and needs no permit, which makes it the practical option for most visitors, though the birds are further away. Mudskippers, fiddler crabs and butterflies are reliable on the boardwalks.

History

The park began as an ecological mitigation area for wetlands lost to the Tin Shui Wai new town, and in 1998 a feasibility study by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Hong Kong Tourism Board looked at turning it into a wetland ecotourism attraction. In 2007 it was one of five winners of the Urban Land Institute's Awards for Excellence in the Asia Pacific (Wikipedia, Hong Kong Wetland Park).

The main sights

• Mangrove boardwalks - the walkway out over the mud and crab flats.
• Three bird hides - the views toward Deep Bay.
• Mudskippers and fiddler crabs - the tidal life directly below the path.
• The indoor wetland galleries - exhibitions in the visitor centre.

When to go

November to March for wintering birds and comfortable weather. Half a day. Closed on Tuesdays except public holidays. Weekends and school holidays bring family crowds.

What to expect

Birds are distant compared with Mai Po and a telescope helps. The new town towers loom over the reserve and are in every photograph. Summer is hot, humid and mosquito-heavy on the boardwalks. It is aimed at families and school groups.

Nearby

Mai Po is north-east; Yuen Long lies south.

Key facts