AFCD Aberdeen

Aberdeen Country Park

Overview

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Abd-Lower Reservoir

The 423-hectare Aberdeen Country Park covers a wide domain of southern uplands and valleys on Hong Kong Island : Mount Cameron, Tin Wan Shan, Aberdeen Upper Reservoir and Aberdeen Lower Reservoir. It extends to Wanchai Gap in the north, Black's Link in the west, and Magazine Gap and Wong Chuk Hang in the south. Vantage points like Peak Road and Guildford Road in Victoria Peak give broad, intoxicating vistas of the Island. Apart from the better known portal in Aberdeen, you can enter the country park from a few other places : Black's Link in Wanchai Gap, Aberdeen Reservoir Road in Wanchai Gap, Lady Clementi's Ride on Nam Fung Road and Peel Rise at the Peak. A good part of the country park was damaged during the Japanese Occupation. The beautiful scenery visitors see today is the combined result of post-war reforestation and natural regeneration of woodlands. Within close proximity of local housing estates, Aberdeen Country Park is a favourite among morning walkers and nearby residents. Indeed, it is Hong Kong Island's "back garden".

The sylvan environment of Aberdeen Country Park makes it ideal for hikes and strolls. In spring, the slopes come ablaze with vibrant blossom colours, and lush foliage flaunts the most luxurious shades of green. It is the best time to explore this pristine country. Aberdeen Upper Reservoir and Aberdeen Lower Reservoir, the two lakes encircled by the country park, were completed in 1931. Totaling 12,500,000m3 of water storage capacity, they were the last two reservoirs built by the government on Hong Kong Island. Today, the lakes are surrounded by dense forests. Atop the magnificent dam, natural grandeur of southern Hong Kong is unveiled without reserve, and the magnificent view changes with every season.

Major Attractions

Designated in 1977, Aberdeen is one of the oldest country parks in Hong Kong. Inside the park you find the pleasant and easy Lady Clementi's Ride, named after the wife of Governor Sir Clementi who loved to stroll and ride on this country lane. Skirting along the slopes above Aberdeen Valley, the ride offers soothing woodland scenery. Along the way are a series of wooded slopes, hill streams and stone bridges. Near Mount Kellett and the Peak, you gaze across Deep Water Bay, Shouson Hill and nearby bays, coves and channels. Under a clear blue sky, sail boats glide across the turquoise sea.

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The Aberdeen Country Park is the only country park on Hong Kong Island with a picnic area for the physically disabled. Disabled visitors can use the wheelchair trail to explore the countryside and enjoy natural scenery. For extra convenience, the kiosk and barbecue area are also located nearby. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff have also built a guided path inside this picnic area. There are 2 braille maps and information boards for the blind, giving clear directions to the barbecue area, rain shelter, kiosk and toilets. Visitors may be surprised to learn that concrete tiles on the guided path were not purchased overseas, but hand-made by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff.

Apart from the picnic area for the disabled, Aberdeen Country Park also boasts the only visitor information centre on Hong Kong Island. Although not very spacious, the centre is packed with interesting exhibits to enrich your knowledge of nature. Among them are specimens of local rocks, birds, mammals, turtles, insects and plants. Also available to the public free of charge are useful fact sheets. The centre can organize guided tours on request. Nature conservation professionals are on hand to take visitors to famous sights and special features of the park. The visitor information centre is situated near the Yue Kwong Chuen park entrance, just a few steps away from the gate. It is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily except Tuesday.

Facilities

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Tai Chi terrace

The compact Aberdeen Country Park has just about everything to meet visitors' needs : nature trail, tree walk, fitness trail, Tai Chi terrace, a hiking trail, picnic area for the physically disabled, barbecue area, children's play facilities and visitor information centre. With such extensive facilities, no wonder it is a hot destination for school picnics and field trips. A barbecue area can be found inside the picnic area for the disabled. Additional barbecue areas are available along Aberdeen Reservoir Road.

Ecological Highlights

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Brisbane Box

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Hwamei

Aberdeen Country Park is famous for its dense vegetation and cool shade. Did you know this green environment is a combine result of post-war reforestation and broad-leaved forests regeneration? Trees growing abundantly in the valley are Brisbane Box (Lophostemon confertus), Schima (Schima superba), Hong Kong Gordonia (Gordonia axillaris), Ivy Tree (Schefflera heptaphylla) and Rose Myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa). Past records show that Rhodoleia (Rhodoleia championii) was found in these parts in as early as 1849. Rhodoleia is a rare species protected by law in Hong Kong. A small tree, it grows to about 9 m. Trunk is tall and upright, with numerous branches. The flower is made up of 5 or 6 bracts which resemble overlapping scales. This tree is also known as Hanging Bells in Chinese, so named for its bell-shaped blossoms.

Common birds and animals in Aberdeen Country Park include Great Coucal (Centropus sinensis), Hwamei (Garrulax canorus), Magpie (Pica pica), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and squirrels. Aberdeen valley is a major habitat for the Black Kite (Milvus migrans), a raptor widely distributed in Hong Kong. During the day, individuals are often seen hovering above the valley on hot air current. When night falls, they congregate on branches to await return of their mates to the valley roost. For a closer look of these handsome birds of prey, visit Aberdeen Valley at dusk.

Scenic Beauty

For walkers, there are several trails in the Aberdeen Country Park : four colour-coded country trails, the Aberdeen Nature Trail and the Aberdeen Fitness Trail, while Stage 3 and Stage 4 of the Hong Kong Trail can also be found within the park. If these routes are too demanding for you, a leisurely walk from the Peak, Peel Rise in Wanchai Gap or Aberdeen Reservoir Road to Aberdeen is not a bad alternative. Many sections of this route run alongside catchwaters and vehicular roads, and the going is generally smooth. These two stages of the Hong Kong Trail total 14 km in length. They take about 4 hours to complete. These stages are suitable for amateur hikers and parties with children.

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Aberdeen Nature Trail

Orbiting around the eastern rim of the Aberdeen Lower Reservoir, the Aberdeen Nature Trail links up the upper and lower dams. This 1.2 km trail is mostly level walk and most visitors can complete it in about an hour. Along the way you find interpretation plates to offer information on different aspects of the natural environment. The Aberdeen Tree Walk, another pleasant route, starts at the country park entrance on Aberdeen Reservoir Road. This 350 m trail ends at the Aberdeen Upper Reservoir. With info plates for 23 tree species, it is an ideal choice for those who wish to learn more about the forms and features of Hong Kong's wild flora.

Walking up Aberdeen Reservoir Road along the catchwater, you soon arrive at a fitness trail with many unusual fitness facilities. Try lifting yourself up on bars of different heights, or test your balancing power on jagged wooden piles. Here in the woods, there is fun for all ages.

Public Transport Information

Take green minibus no. 4A or 4C which departs from Lockhart Road in Causeway Bay to Shek Pai Wan in Aberdeen. Alternatively, catch green minibus no. 4B that runs between Wanchai and Shek Pai Wan. After getting off, follow Aberdeen Reservoir Road up the hill for the portal of Aberdeen Country Park. Stage 3 of the Hong Kong Trail starts at Peel Rise next to Pui Tak Canossian College on the right side of Aberdeen Reservoir Road.

For your return journey, bus no. 15, 15B or 515 that stops at Wanchai Gap will take you to the Peak or the city. You can also catch bus no. 6, 61, 63 or 66 in Wong Ngai Chung Gap to the city.

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