Hong Kong Immigration: Learn about Hong Kong tourism attractions. The Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (referred to as the Hong Kong Geopark) is a geopark located in the eastern and northeastern parts of the New Territories. It comprises two main regions: the sedimentary rock region in the northeast and the volcanic rock region in the eastern part of Sai Kung, totaling eight geo-areas. Covering an area of 49.85 square kilometers, it is one of the smallest global geoparks in the world.
Although the park is small in size, it possesses world-class acidic volcanic rock columns and showcases a geological history of sedimentary environments during the Paleozoic era, spanning from 520 million to 250 million years ago, which is highly typical and rare. The volcanic rock columns are composed of high-silica acidic rhyolitic volcanic rock, covering an area of 100 square kilometers (partly underwater), with an average diameter of 1.2 meters. Both in terms of scale and rock characteristics, they are considered rare globally. More uniquely, the volcanic rocks here exhibit characteristics of both tuff and lava. Geologists still hold differing views on their formation, making them of significant scientific research value. Furthermore, coastal processes have formed various erosional and depositional landforms here, and the fossils found provide clues for understanding the ancient Paleozoic environment, geography, climate, and biological evolution.
The Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region is characterized by hexagonal rock column groups and coastal erosional landforms. The four geo-areas are:
High Island
The High Island geo-area is located in the Sai Kung East Country Park, about 20 kilometers from the Sai Kung town center. The coastline of High Island is lined with neatly arranged, nearly vertical, and towering polygonal (usually hexagonal) volcanic rock columns. Among them, the coastline of Fa Shan features the tallest volcanic rock columns in Hong Kong, reaching a height of 100 meters, which can be described as a "natural hexagonal rock column mural." In addition, the High Island Geo-Trail and information boards are set up at the East Dam of the High Island Reservoir to introduce various interesting geological landscapes, including faults, twisted rock columns, intrusive dikes, and the sea stack of Po Pin Chau. Furthermore, the Tai Long Wan coastline showcases coastal landforms composed of volcanic rock columns. It has been voted the top of the "Ten Scenic Spots of Hong Kong" by visitors many times.
Ung Kong Group
The Ung Kong Group geo-area consists of Wang Chau, Basalt Island, Bluff Island, and the Jin Island (Tiu Chung Chau). These islands are composed of volcanic rocks with columnar joints. Due to the long-term impact of fierce wind and waves, unique appearances have been formed under coastal processes, with cliffs, sea caves, and sea arches scattered along the coast. The steep cliff on the southeast coast of Bluff Island is the highest sea cliff in Hong Kong, reaching a height of 140 meters. The 45-meter-high Lam Wan Kok Cave on Basalt Island, the 30-meter-high Wang Chau Kok Cave on Wang Chau, the 24-meter-high Bluff Island Cave on Bluff Island, and the Tiu Chung Arch on Jin Island are collectively known as the four great sea arches of Hong Kong. Since the Ung Kong Group is located within a core protected area and is subject to strong winds and waves with dangerous terrain, it is only suitable for near-shore sightseeing by boat during the calm summer months.
Ninepin Group
The Ninepin Group consists of South Ninepin Island, North Ninepin Island, East Ninepin Island, and several small islands and rock reefs. Located in the open sea, the Ninepin Group is subject to long-term erosion by wind and waves, forming various peculiar coastal landforms, including precipitous cliffs, sea arches, and various strange-shaped rocks. The hexagonal rock columns on North Ninepin Island are the most spectacular, with diameters reaching over 2 meters, the largest in the park. Since the Ninepin Group is located within a core protected area and is subject to strong winds and waves with dangerous terrain, it is only suitable for near-shore sightseeing by boat during the calm summer months.
Sharp Island
Sharp Island is located about 2 kilometers southeast of the Sai Kung town center. Visitors can take a kaito ferry from the Sai Kung Pier, with a journey of about 15 minutes. Sharp Island possesses a variety of igneous rocks, including volcanic breccia, rhyolite, tuff, and quartz monzonite, making it an excellent place to appreciate and learn about igneous rocks. A tombolo made of gravel connects Sharp Island to Kiu Tau. Whenever the tide recedes, it emerges from the water, allowing visitors to walk along the tombolo to Kiu Tau and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Clear Water Bay Peninsula and the Port Shelter. During high tide, the tombolo is submerged by seawater, so please check the tide information from the Hong Kong Observatory before setting off.