Notes for Country Park Visitors

Welcome to our Country Parks. To enjoy a safe and pleasant day out, please pay attention to the following.

Know your hiking ability

• Always go hiking in company with others. Sleep well on the night before your excursion to ensure you are physically and mentally strong.
  

• Plan your route carefully before setting out. Always bring a map, and advise your family or friends where you are going and when you will return.
  

• Most trails are not demanding, but some longer or higher trails may be unsuitable for hikers with less experience. You should carefully assess your ability before your excursion. Take extra care when hiking on a hot day. Please refer to the 'Safety Hints for Hiking in Country Parks'.

Protect yourself and be considerate

• To avoid mosquito bites, wear light coloured long-sleeved shirts, trousers not shorts, and use insect repellent.
  

• To avoid sunburn or heatstroke, wear a hat and use suncream.
  

• To prevent heat exhaustion, rest when needed and drink plenty of water.
  

• Do not litter or bring air guns. Lighting cooking fires and erecting tents or shelters is only allowed at designated camping sites. Take your litter to a refuse collection point for disposal.

Safeguard your belongings

• Avoid bringing a large amount of cash and valuable belongings. Minimize the number of credit or ATM cards that your carry.
  

• If you see anyone behave suspiciously, report to the police immediately. If get robbed, stay calm and avoid confronting the robbers. Mind your own safety.
  

• To help the police identify the suspects later, try to note where the robbers escape, their appearance, skin colour, clothing, accent and other characteristics
  

Emergency measures

• Bring a mobile phone in case you need help. If you are in company with several people, switch one of the mobiles off and keep it in your bag for back up.
  

• If an emergency occurs, stay calm, note the number on the nearest distance post (e.g. H056) or any prominent landmark nearby. Call 999 and clearly state your location and situation to facilitate rescue.
  

• Please note that the mobile phone coverage varies among districts. Some places, such as southern Lantau, Wang Shan Keuk and Hok Tau in the northern New Territories, central part of Tai Lam Country Park, Tung Ping Chau, Luk Wu, Tai Long,

• Ham Tin of eastern Sai Kung, southeastern High Island and Hoi Ha, have poor coverage.
  

• Roaming service may be useful in some locations. Contact the corresponding police station for help (dial 00852 first).

  Sai Kung Police Station 2792 1279
  Lantau North Police Station 2988 8520
  Sha Tau Kok Police Station 2674 1469)

• Eemergency Helpline: The building of two Eemergency Helplines at Sai Kung Pak Lap and end of Sai Wan Road are still in progress expecting to complete by end of 2005 or early 2006.
  

Your support and suggestions are helpful and welcome. Please email to cpark@afcd.gov.hk or call our enquiry hotline 1823 for more information.