🪨 【Rock Forest】 mainly concentrated in Ma On Shan‘s Luk Chau Shan, Shek Lung Tsai, and Chi Ma Wan. These massive boulder fields were formed by the weathering and collapse of tuff and volcanic breccia following volcanic eruptions around 130 million years ago. The landscape is unique and highly scenic.
📌 Essential Information
Item Details ⏳ Formation Period Accumulation of volcanic debris following volcanic activities approx. 130 million years ago 🧱 Primary Rock Type Tuff, Volcanic Breccia, Granite 📍 Distribution
- New Territories East: Ma On Shan‘s Luk Chau Shan, Shek Lung Tsai
- Lantau Island: Chi Ma Wan
🚶 Difficulty The Luk Chau Rock Forest route is around 9 km long and takes 5–6 hours. It is a high-difficulty hiking trail, strictly not for beginners. —
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🪨 Geographical Distribution & Features of Rock Forests
1. Luk Chau Shan Rock Forest, Ma On Shan
- Location: Between Ma On Shan and Shek Nga Shan in the Sha Tin District, New Territories East
- Sub-zones:
- Luk Chau Summit Rock Forest: Located at the eastern summit, featuring a concentration of uniquely shaped rocks such as the “Dragon Boat Rock” and “Gaping Crocodile Rock”.
- Shek Lung Tsai Rock Forest: The largest rock forest, covering approx. 0.07 sq. km. The valley is blanketed with layers of massive boulders, reaching depths of over 30 meters.
- Luk Chau Au Rock Forest: Situated on the northwestern edge, predominantly composed of granite, presenting a stark contrast to other volcanic rock forests.
- Geological Background: Belongs to the “Mount Davis Formation of the Repulse Bay Volcanic Group” (Mount Davis). The rock texture is coarse and uneven, containing significant amounts of volcanic breccia, making it highly susceptible to weathering and fragmentation.
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2. Chi Ma Wan Rock Forest
- Location: Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island, within the South Lantau Country Park
- Features: Visible along the Chi Ma Wan Country Trail. The boulder fields are located right beside the hiking path, making them easy to observe.
- Geomorphological Value: Showcases the natural accumulation landscape of weathered volcanic rocks, ideal for geological education and eco-tourism.
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📊 Summary of Rock Forest Distribution
Location Area / Coverage Rock Type Key Features Luk Chau Summit Rock Forest, Ma On Shan Summit boulder field Tuff Concentration of uniquely shaped rocks (e.g., Dragon Boat Rock, Crocodile Rock) Shek Lung Tsai Rock Forest Approx. 0.07 sq. km Tuff, Breccia Largest rock forest; massive boulders stacked in deep valleys Luk Chau Au Rock Forest Northwestern edge Granite Greyish-white boulder groups, contrasting with volcanic rocks Chi Ma Wan Rock Forest Lantau Island Peninsula Volcanic rock accumulation Easily accessible and visible right next to the country trail
