THE UNIVERSITY OF FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

International Symposium on Sustainable Rural Communities in Asian Cities

August 27, 2016 (Saturday)

Excursion Tour 2: Lai Chi Wo

Aims:

• To offer a genuine experience and appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage at the north-eastern part of Hong Kong • To provide experiential learning opportunity on the topics of biodiversity conservation, local farming culture and sustainable living • To introduce the rural community revitalization programme at Lai Chi Wo led by Faculty of Social Sciences, HKU and supported by HSBC and other partners

Time Activities Details 0830 - 0930 Gather at HKU • To take coach from HKU to Pier (Map attached for pick-up point). 0930 – 1100 Boat trip to Lai Chi Wo with • To appreciate the coastal landforms and observe Geo-Tour of Northeast New the geology and rocks along Tolo Channel, Bluff Territories (incl. HK Head and Double Haven, parts of the National UNSECO Global Geopark) Geopark of Hong Kong, China. 1100 – Guided tour in Lai Chi Wo • Guided tour to visit the traditional Hakka village, 1230 Lai Chi Wo, which is also a part of the National Geopark, with its famous mangrove and Feng Shui Woodland. • To visit the organic farm and understand the revitalization programme in Lai Chi Wo. 1230 – 1330 Lunch • Traditional Hakka dishes prepared by local villagers. 1330 – 1400 Visit the famous Coastal • To visit the famous Coastal Herotoera and White- Heritiera and White- flowered Derris inside the coastal forest, their flowered Derris population at Lai Chi Wo are the largest population in Hong Kong. 1400-1530 Guided tour in Ap Chau • To appreciate the coastal landforms of Ap Chau, which is also a part of the National Geopark. 1530 – 1700 Return to Ma Liu Shui Pier • Return to Ma Liu Shui pier by boat and a coach will take the guests back to Sai Ying Pun 1700 – 1800 Dismiss at Sai Ying Pun MTR Station

Programme Details:

Guided Geo-tour of Northeast

The boat tour will go around the inner sea area of the northeast New Territories: Tolo Channel, Bluff Head (Wong Chuk Kok Tsui) and Double Haven (Yan Chau Tong), which are parts of the National Geopark of Hong Kong, China. Most of the rocks along the north shore of Tolo Channel and at Bluff Head are the oldest in Hong Kong formed about 400 million years ago. Double Haven has been designated a marine park in 1996 due to its wildlife and natural features. The boat tour will take about 1.5 hours, during the boat tour, our guide will lead the guests to appreciate the coastal landforms and observe the geology and rocks along the coastline.

Guided Tour at Lai Chi Wo

The Lai Chi Wo Village is a traditional Hakka village which was established as early as 1670s and had a long history of farming. Along the coast has the largest population of Coastal Heritiera (Heritiera littoralis) and White-flowered Derris (Derris alborubra) in Hong Kong. Because of its unique natural and cultural features, Lai Chi Wo has been designed as a Site of Special Interest (SSSI) since 1979. Since 2013, a Community Revitalization Programme has been carried out in collaboration with The University of Hong Kong, the local villagers and other NGOs. The tour will also lead the guests to visit the paddy fields and restored farmlands to understand the objectives of the programme.

Genuine taste of local Hakka food

A traditional Hakka meal prepared by local villagers will be provided to the guests to taste the real Hakka flavor.

Geo-tour to Ap Chau and Crooked Island

Ap Chau located in the North-eastern New Territories, which is part of the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China. Ap Chau means “duck Island”, it processes a diverse range of wavecut landforms. Ap Chau and its neighbour Crooked Island are the only 2 places in Hong Kong where breccia is found. ” of Ap Chau