Green Spaces
Places to soak in NatureKadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden stretches across Tai Po and Yuen Long districts. The farm is an ecological conservation and education centre, with a number of facilities housing a variety of wildlife, such as reptiles, mammals and birds.
Amongst the many attractions is the Piers Jacobs Wildlife Sanctuary, which houses the Red Muntjacs (a deer species), Sasa and Didi. Both of which were rescued having been found orphaned in the wild here in Hong Kong.
As for the Garden, Kadoorie is home to a variety of plants and crops that can be viewed throughout the park. They promote organic farming through exhibitions that aim to educate visitors on practices such as aquaponics, a food production system that raises fish and plants.
The farm hosts a number of activities to help raise the importance of animal conservation. Their event, ‘Animal Encounters,’ aims to bring visitors into closer contact with wildlife by sharing their stories.
Part of the vision at Kadoorie Farm is to provide opportunities to get closer to nature, and to learn more about the current efforts to protect the environment. It gives us a chance to think about what we can do in our daily life in order to live more sustainably.
Kadoorie Farm is also a small zoo too. The farm introduces different species of animals around the world.
Children can participate in different activities held by the farm and connect to the nature.
Kadoorie plants various organic crops then sells those to visitors.
Tai O
Tai O was once a fishing village, but as large companies monopolised the trade, the village has gradually lost its traditional lifestyle. The stilt houses, however, remain an iconic image. The traditional structures have been preserved by the government and there are still residents living on top of the water.
Temples are another crucial component of fishing culture, protecting the health of local residents and keeping them safe whilst away on fishing trips. Pay a visit to Kwan Tai or Tin Hau Temple in the village, as well as different exhibition centres, such as the Tai O Rural Committee Historic and Cultural Showroom, to learn about fishing culture and the local history of fishing and salt production.
Vendors shouting prices of freshly caught seafood and making the traditional local snack by leaving egg yolks to dry in the sun creates a bustling, vibrant Tai O atmosphere. Also known as the island of cats, feline paintings can be seen down streets across the island.
Stilt House is the traditional housing for the fishery families in Tai O. This kind of housing has existed for around 200 years.
Traditional elements are integrated into the daily life items, such as the drain cover.
Not only Tai O is famous for its traditional fishing culture, but it is also famous for its hiking routes.
Salted egg yolk is the traditional Tai O food. Exposing the egg yolk under the sun can extend the expiry date of the food.
Local religion is the attachment for the people in Tai O to wish the best in their lives.
Sun Ki Bridge was built by the local residents to handle the access problem from the street to their home, stilt houses.
CIC-Zero Carbon Park
Located in Kowloon East, CIC-Zero Carbon Park is the first zero-carbon building in Hong Kong. The park is surrounded by tall buildings, but is an area where the government is striving to promote urban greening.
The facilities inside the park are made from sustainable materials. The solar panels on the main building and the kiosk roofs generate power from sunlight. The jogging track that circles the park is covered with special material that absorbs sunlight to generate power.
Sitting in the Kowloon East, CIC-ZCP serves as the “green lungs” in the city.
The cafe and playground offer a calm space for members of the public to come and relax, amid some 200 species of plants that serve as habitats for local birds and other animals in Hong Kong.
Inside the main building, an exhibition demonstrates the features and the history of Hong Kong’s sustainable construction industry, and the different facilities promote awareness of living sustainably. Visitors can book a guided tour on the CIC-ZCP website.
Kwun Tong is a place where the government trying to achieve urban greening. The green elements are combined with facilities or art works.
