🌳 【Sham Chung Grassland (深涌 大草原)】is a massive, wide-open coastal plain in northeastern New Territories, Hong Kong. Located right inside Sham Chung Village on the Sai Kung Peninsula, it spans about 20 hectares and is often called “Hong Kong’s last hidden paradise grassland”. This lush, vibrant green field used to be farmland and salt pans run by Hakka villagers. After the village was abandoned, nature took over, turning it into a thriving wetland ecosystem. Surrounded by mangroves, freshwater marshes, and rolling mountain ridges, it forms a super unique ecological landscape. The winding Sham Chung River runs right through the middle of the grass and connects to the tides; when the tide goes out, it reveals mudflats where waterbirds like grey herons and egrets come to feed. In autumn and winter, you can even catch the golden reeds swaying beautifully in the wind—it feels just like a hidden utopia right next to the city. — Thanks to its slightly out-of-the-way location, Sham Chung Grassland (深涌 大草原) has managed to keep its raw, untouched charm. You can only get here by taking a kaito ferry from Ma Liu Shui or by enjoying a scenic walk of about 1.5 hours from Lai Chi Wo. The area actually sparked a huge conservation debate back in the day due to a plan to build a golf course here, which was eventually scrapped after environmental groups protested. Nowadays, it’s a super popular hotspot for camping, picnics, and checking out the local wildlife. The Sham Chung Manor nearby serves up simple meals and drinks, while the ruins of the abandoned Sham Chung Public School and Catholic church quietly tell the story of the land’s rich history. In recent years, the AFCD has even put up wooden boardwalks and bird-watching hides, letting visitors get up close and personal with the wetland ecosystem without messing up the fragile environment. —
📍 Basic Info at a Glance
Item Details 📍 Location Northern Sai Kung, at the mouth of Three Fathoms Cove (企嶺下海) 🏞️ Original Landscape Wetlands, rich in biodiversity 🏗️ History of Development Turf was once laid down in preparation for a golf course, but the project was dropped because the land-use approval never went through. 🌱 Current Status Turned into a natural grassland, surrounded by mountains on three sides with a freshwater lake right next to it. 🌿 Total Area Around 3.5 hectares 🌄 Recommended Activities Picnics, flying kites, taking photos with silvergrass, watching the sunset 🚫 Restrictions The grassland is private property, so ⚠️ NO CAMPING allowed. —
🛥 Transport
Method Details 🚢 Kaito Ferry Departs from Ma Liu Shui Pier; the ride takes about 30 minutes and tickets cost $18–$28. Heads up: departures are pretty few and far between. 🚌 Bus Take Bus 299X from Sha Tin or Bus 99 from Wu Kai Sha, and get off at the Shui Long Wo stop. Van Minibus Take Green Minibus Route 7 from Sai Kung Town Centre to Pak Sha O, then walk for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. —
🚶♀️ How to Get There & Route Suggestions
🚢 Kaito Ferry
- Departure Point: Ma Liu Shui Pier
- Ferry Schedule: Outbound: 08:30, 12:30, 15:00; Return: 11:55, 14:15, 18:15
- Ticket Prices: Weekdays $18 | Weekends & Public Holidays $28
- Pros: Super chill and takes you straight to Sham Chung Pier.
景點 Hiking Route
Section Time Features Shui Long Wo → Yung Shue O Around 1 hour 15 mins Mostly paved car roads. Yung Shue O → Sham Chung Around 45 mins A lovely coastal path with mangroves and beautiful blue sea views. You can grab a bite at “Loi Kee Store” along the way. Sham Chung → Sham Chung Pier Around 15 mins Flat, easy path—perfect for catching the stunning sunset views in the evening.
- 🧭 Total Distance: Around 8 km
- 🕒 Time Needed: 2 to 2.5 hours
- 🧒 Difficulty Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
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🧃 Food & Facilities
Location Supply Spot Recommended Grub Yung Shue O Loi Kee Store Classic local snacks like tofu pudding, oyster omelettes, and instant noodles with luncheon meat and egg. Sham Chung Sham Chung Manor Serves simple meals like congee, noodles, beer, and soft drinks (subject to opening hours). —
🌅 Sunset Views at Sham Chung Pier
- Location: A quick 15-minute stroll from the grassland.
- The View: The setting sun hits the water beautifully, turning the whole sea into a sparkling sheet of gold.
- Pro-tip: Try to get to the pier about 30 minutes before sunset so you don’t accidentally miss the last kaito ferry out.
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💡 Quick Tips
- ✅ Bring along a picnic mat and some snacks to enjoy a super chill afternoon.
- 📷 Photos turn out absolutely stunning during the silvergrass season.
- 🌿 The grass is incredibly soft—perfect for just lying down and relaxing.
- ⏰ Make sure to arrive at the pier 30 minutes early so you don’t miss the kaito ferry.
- 🧑🌾 Show some love to the villagers and nature—keep things quiet and don’t leave any rubbish behind.
- 🧥 The temperature can drop pretty fast after sunset in winter, so packing a jacket is a smart move.
- 🚫 Camping is strictly banned, so please do not pitch tents on the grass.
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🔎 Explore More
If you want to check out the detailed hiking route for this trip, take a look at 〖Sham Chung Grassland → Shui Long Wo Star Lookout Daydream Travelog (深涌 大草原 → 水浪窩 觀星台 夢遊記)〗 —
