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Tai Mo Shan (大帽山, literally meaning "Big Hat Mountain") is the highest mountain in Hong Kong, with an altitude of 958 m. It is located approximately at the geographical center of the New Territories.
The second highest elevation of the territory is Lantau Peak (Fung Wong Shan), 934 m, on Lantau Island.
The area surrounding Tai Mo Shan is a Country Park, which covers an area of 14.40 kmē and adopts the same name - Tai Mo Shan Country Park. It is located to the north of Tai Lam Country Park and, separated by Shek Kong Valley is the Lam Tsuen Country Park with an area of 15.20 kmē.
Tai Mo Shan is made up entirely of volcanic rocks. To the northwest, the west and the south of the peak, the valleys contain large deposits of colluvium. The upper slopes are distinctly "ribbed", as is especially evident after a hill fire. These are stone terraces, running obliquely downhill to the valleys.
There are forest plantations in the south-eastern part of the Park. Limited by climatic and geographic factors, these plantations end at the 550 metre contour, above which shrubs and grasses dominate.
In the past, Tai Mo Shan was famous for a type of green tea, called mist or cloud tea, which grew wild up on the mountain side.
Some montane birds and rare species of snakes and butterflies breed here.
A series of barbecue and picnic sites are provided along Route Twisk, the Shek Kong - Pat Heung catchwater and the Tuen Mun catchwater.
The Rotary Park at Tai Mo Shan which has a car-park and extensive picnic facilities, is especially popular. Tourist groups often come here for a brief stop to enjoy the panoramic view. On a clear day even Lantau and its adjacent islands can be seen. Tai Mo Shan Visitor Centre is located not far away from the carpark.
To learn the techniques of hiking, you may visit the Hiking Practice Trail adjacent to the Tai Mo Shan car Park. Those would prefer short walks may visit the family walks in the park.
Visitors in country parks are asked to help keep the parks clean and prevent hill fires so that the facilities can he enjoyed by all. In 1986, a 34 hour blaze destroyed 282,500 trees at Shing Mun and Tai Mo Shan and ravaged 7.40 kmē of countryside. Fire is the greatest threat to the beauty of the country parks.
To Route Twisk of Tai Lam Country Park: Kowloon Motor Bus bus No. 51 from Tsuen WanTsuen Wan is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is located in the New Territories and is served by the Tsuen Wan Line of the MTR metro system. Population (2000): 290,500. Tsuen Wan district is part of Tsuen Wan New Town. Sights The Sam Tung Uk Museu Nina Tower to Ka Tin.