Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung

For other places with the same name in Hong Kong, see Tai Long Wan.
View of Tai Long Wan and Sharp Peak (left). The beach in the foreground is Ham Tin Wan. Further beaches beyond the small peninsula are Tai Wan and Tung Wan.
Cafes at Ham Tin Wan.
Tai Chau and Tsim Chau islets in Tai Long Wan
Tai Wai (大圍) section of Tai Long Tsuen

Tai Long Wan (Chinese: 大浪灣; literally: "Big Wave Bay") is a 3 kilometer-wide bay on the east coast of the Sai Kung Peninsula in Hong Kong.[1] Considered one of the most beautiful places in Hong Kong, it is a popular surf destination. In Chinese, Tai Long Wan translates as Big Wave Bay.[2]

Geography

There are four beaches along the bay: Sai Wan (西灣; "West Bay"), also called Tai Long Sai Wan, Ham Tin Wan (鹹田灣), Tai Wan (大灣; "Big Bay") and Tung Wan (東灣; "East Bay"). The three tiny islands of Tsim Chau, Tai Chau and Lan Tau Pai sit picturesquely near the centre of the bay.

Columnar-jointed volcanic rocks characterize the coastline in the south of Tai Long Wan, formed by the cooling and contraction of hot ash during the volcanic eruption in Cretaceous Period. Cliffs in Tai Long Wan are formed in the columnar-joint fine-grained tuffs. These give rise to high, steep cliffs that are commonly penetrated by sea caves and natural sea arches.

History

Artifacts of the Neolithic and Bronze Ages were found in the archaeological site at Ham Tin.[1] Tai Long Tsuen (大浪村), village near Ham Tin Wan, was established over 250 years ago.[3]

Villages

There are several small villages in the area, including Tai Long Tsuen (大浪村), the oldest one, Ham Tin Tsuen (鹹田村), Lam Uk Wai (林屋圍), Cheung Uk Wai (張屋圍) and Tai Wan Tsuen (大灣村). The latter three have become ruins.[3]

Conservation

Tai Long Wan is located within the Sai Kung East Country Park.[4] It was declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1979.[1][5] It also forms an important part of Hong Kong Global Geopark, High Island volcanic rock region.

Access

Section 2 of the Maclehose Trail, one of the most popular hiking trails in Hong Kong, runs through impressive peaks, uplands, peninsulas and bays around Tai Long Wan.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 RTHK: The Miracles of the Ocean – Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay), Sai Kung
  2. ↑ Hong Kong Outdoors: Big Wave Bay
  3. 1 2 Historic Building Appraisal: Tai Long Tsuen, Sai Kung
  4. ↑ Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: Sai Kung East Country Park
  5. ↑ WWF HK Factsheet No. 16 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Hong Kong

Coordinates: 22°24′19″N 114°23′22″E / 22.405395°N 114.389464°E / 22.405395; 114.389464


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