Sha Tin, which literally means sandy fields in Cantonese, was once an area filled with paddy fields. Now, it has turned into an area where numerous high-rises have sprouted up.

Everyone in Hong Kong is familiar with the legend under the Lion Rock - how Hong Kong evolved from a fishing village to an international metropolis. The Lion Rock is more than a landmark, I am sure many young people in Hong Kong have tried at least once climbing up the 495m hill for fun. On the hill there is an ancient trail that straddles Sha Tin Pass Road and Tsz Wan Shan in Kowloon. It was a major footpath before the opening of the Lion Rock Tunnel between Sha Tin and Kowloon.

In the old days, trails like this one constituted a major commuting network that sprawled in all directions and the narrow footpaths linked people of all villages. The Lion Rock Trail is once famous for the transportation of fragrant wood, whereas water transportation was more for much heavier delivery.

Sha Tin Pass Trail is good for adventurers. It takes about four hours to complete the 10-km trail. The starting point is at the entrance of the Hung Mui Kuk water catchment on Tai Po Road opposite Kowloon Reservoir, and you can either finish at Pok Hong Estate, Sha Tin or in Kowloon. Or, you can start at Shui Chuen O Footpath and finish at Pok Hung Estate.

There are lots of interpretative signs along this nature trail. The path goes steeper after the catchment. Some sections are graveled. Despite the difficulty, most hikers find it worthwhile enjoying the scenery along the way.

The trail is very popular among hikers and most of them would love to give you directions as to where to continue on the trail.

On the other side of the hill stands Amah Rock, which was famous for its resemblance to a woman with a baby on her back. There are many touching stories behind the rock and they roughly go like this: a fisherman's wife climbed up the hill everyday, with her baby on the back, to watch for her husband's return without knowing that he had been drowned at sea. In reward for her faithfulness she was turned into a rock by the Goddess of the Sea so that her spirit could unite with that of her husband.

Lion Rock Country Park is one of the oldest country parks for leisure walking, fitness exercises, hiking, barbecue, mountain biking, picnics and camping.

There are common wildlife species that can be easily spotted in Hong Kong. You can do some research prior to your trip through the Internet or guide books on local birds, butterflies, reptiles, dragonflies, amphibians and mammals. You will be amazed by the biodiversity in Hong Kong. It has one-sixth of the total butterfly species in China and one-third of the total bird species in China. This is due to its subtropical climate, wide range of terrain and habitats, prudent government management, education and public awareness.

The author is the marketing development director of

HK Discovery.

(HK Edition 08/15/2008 page4)