Nestled between Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin, Shing Mun Reservoir is the largest water storage facility in the area. It is situated at the base of the stunning Tai Mo Shan mountain. This reservoir not only plays a crucial role in supplying freshwater to the surrounding communities but also serves as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. With lush greenery and scenic views, it offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and leisurely picnics along its shores.
Our Family Adventure
After our family walk at Ho Pui Reservoir last week, we decided to add a bit of a challenge by exploring the Shing Mun Reservoir. This trail is 3 kilometers longer than the one at Ho Pui, and while mostly flat, it includes more stairs and slopes, making it slightly more challenging. The whole trail took us approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to finish, covering about 9 kilometers. Despite some stairs and steep slopes, it remains manageable for beginners.
Distance: approximately 9 kilometers
Duration: 3h 30 minutes including breaks
Elevation Gain: approximately 279m
Getting There
To reach Shing Mun Reservoir, take the MTR to Tsuen Wan station (red line) and head towards Exit B1. Cross the footbridge, walk to Shiu Wo Street, and take minibus number 82 to the terminus at Pineapple Dam. Minibuses typically accommodate 16 to 18 passengers, and it can get crowded on weekends and public holidays. We arrived at the minibus stop around 10:30 am on a Saturday and waited only 15 minutes. To avoid the crowd, consider arriving early.
Pineapple Dam Nature Trail
Upon arrival, you’ll see a small flight of stairs with a beautiful mural on each step, welcoming you to Shing Mun Reservoir.
The trail is named after the Hakka settlers who grew rice and pineapples here. After you climb the stairs, the trail becomes mostly flat and easy. The Pineapple Dam Nature Trail is a dirt path, and you can take a short detour to the Butterfly Garden if interested.
This post will focus on the route around the Shing Mun Reservoir. Basically, it is just a big loop. The trail will start and end at Pineapple Dam Nature Trail. At the end of the Pineapple Dam Nature trail, the stairs lead to a wider concrete road, where you’ll encounter some steep slopes. If you do not plan to finish the walk around the reservoir, you can retrace your step once you reach the end of Pineapple Dam Nature Trail. Go back to the starting point and take the minibus back to Tsuen Wan.
The Paperbark Tree Corridor
Shortly after, you’ll enter the magical Paperbark Tree Corridor, a highlight of the trail. Continue walking until you see a “Waterside Paperbark” sign, and take a short staircase down to the waterside, one of the most beautiful photo spots. I never imagined to find such a scene in Hong Kong. It is really relaxing down the waterside, I’m sure you’ll love it too.
Picnic Sites and Wildlife Encounters
Along the way, you’ll find Tai Shing Stream, several picnic sites, and barbecue spots. Although the trail is flat, a few steep slopes make it moderately challenging. If traveling with kids or elders, take breaks as needed.
Shing Mun Reservoir Viewing Point
More than halfway through, you’ll reach the Shing Mun Viewing Point, offering views of Tai Mo Shan, Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, and Tsuen Wan. Though we planned to visit Shing Mun Leisure Deck, it was too far for our parents, so we retraced our steps after this point.
Shing Mun Reservoir
Follow the signs until you reach the Shing Mun Reservoir Main Dam. You can see Lion’s Rock from certain vantage points around Shing Mun Reservoir. The iconic peak is visible in the distance, offering a stunning backdrop to the scenic views in the area. Near the end, you’ll find more monkeys due to the barbecue sites.
Ending the Trail
You can return to the Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, about a 15-minute walk, and take the minibus back to Tsuen Wan. Alternatively, you can explore the Shing Mun War Relics Trail, and leave from there. The Shing Mun War Relic Trails featured pillboxes and military markers from 1937 to 1938.
Wildlife Encounters in Shing Mun Reservoir
One of the highlights of walking in Shing Mun Reservoir is the chance to see wild animals, including cattle, monkeys, and wild boars.
General Rule: Always keep your distance from wildlife. If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.
Though we didn’t encounter wild boars on our walk, we did see traces of their presence. Wild boars are typically wary of humans but can become aggressive if piglets are nearby. If you see a piglet, be cautious, as its mother may be close. Maintain your distance and avoid disturbing them.
Other wild animals that you might see are cattle. As mentioned earlier, we saw some cattle resting and eating near Picnic Site 14. The cattle aren’t a problem here, but the monkeys can be. We stopped at a picnic site for a short break, carefully checking our surroundings before grabbing our snacks. Suddenly, a man shouted, “Be careful, a monkey is coming at the back.” The monkey appeared out of nowhere. We heard stories about how monkeys snatch snacks from humans, so we waited until it left before eating.
Near the end of the trail, we observed a significant number of wild monkeys. They were in the trees and near tables and fences. Due to past feeding, these monkeys have lost their fear of humans and are quite clever. They’ve learned to associate plastic sounds with food. We witnessed a monkey pulling a plastic tablecloth and snatching a bottle of honey.
Tips for Encountering Wild Monkeys:
- Do not eat when monkeys are around.
- Do not touch or stare at the monkeys.
- Do not feed the monkeys.
- If attacked by a monkey, call 999 for help.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Shing Mun Reservoir is from October to June when the weather is milder and before typhoon season. We visited on a weekend morning, and although there were many people, it wasn’t overcrowded. Most of the trail is shaded, making it a suitable choice for an easy to moderate-walk even in summer (if you don’t mind the summer humidity).
Where to Stay
For those visiting Hong Kong and want to go to Shing Mun Reservoir, I recommend staying at hotels near Tsuen Wan, such as Panda Hotel. To make the most of your visit to Hong Kong, consider using an Airalo eSim to stay connected with family and friends. The phone reception can be unreliable inside the country park, but having internet access will be essential for navigating the city afterward.
Other Beginner Hiking Trails
If you’re looking for easy and family-friendly trails, consider exploring:
I hope this post gives you an idea of what to expect when you plan your trip to Shing Mun reservoir. Enjoy your adventure at Shing Mun Reservoir!