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Wang
Chung
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Wang Chung Cascade, Bride's Pool and Mirror Pool
The Wang Chung Cascade (Wang Chung Stream) lies in the Plover Cove Country Park at the northeast New Territories. Although it is very easy to access, hikers and visitors who are distracted by the famous Bride's Pool, the immediate neighbor of Wang Chung, often overlook it. But because of this, the cascade route remains peaceful and enjoyable. GETTING THERE There is a bus no.275R running between the Tai Po Market KCR station to Bride's Pool. This bus only operates on Sunday and public holidays. Alternatively, there is a green van running daily between Po Heung Street at Tai Po Market and Wu Kau Tang. Taking a green Taxi from Tai Po is also affordable. For drivers, there are three public car parks right in front of Bride's Pool offering over 40 free parking spaces. After passing Tai Mei Tuk, just drive along the Bride's Pool Road. Within 10 minutes, you'll see the first car park on the right and at the entrance of the Bride's Pool BBQ Site. Opposite to this car park in front is the next car park, where there is a public toilet. Then, opposite to this second car park in further distance is the third car park with a resting pavilion. Get
off your transportation and gear yourselves up, then walk down to the
Bride's Pool BBQ site. Once you have arrived at the bottom, you'll reach
a little bridge, the starting point, The Wang Chung Stream leads water directly into the Plover Cove Reservoir. The end of the cascade route towards downstream runs into the reservoir, and the area is called Chung Mei. Although, you may start your hike from this end, the trail could be flooded when the water level of the reservoir is high. If you are not familiar with the area, better start from the top and go back along the same way. After all, a return trip takes less than two hours. The route is spectacular during the wet seasons, but at the same time is also more dangerous for non-experienced cascade hikers. During the dry season, the route is easier, and have more resting place for observing insets, fishes and amphibians along the stream. The route to the Bride's Pool is very short taking only 15 to 20 minutes. From the bridge go up stream along the cascade on the left hand side. The Bride's Pool is a flat pool with a two steps waterfall. The rock wall one the side of the waterfalls is vertical. There is no way to go further up to top of the stream. However, you may walk along the main road to the third car park later on, which actually seats next to the top of the waterfall. If you look from the top carefully (again, carefully) you will find that there is an eroded vertical hole in between the rocks next to the waterfall. To go to the Mirror Pool, you have a choice of cascade route or normal walking trail. They go alongside with each other and both takes around 15 minutes' walk to the pool. The walking trail is a better choice indeed, as the cascade route is narrow and rocky. The waterfall at Mirror Pool is spectacular even during dry seasons. The pool is deeper. Swimming is definitely not recommended. ONE LAST WORD The Bride's Pool area is an ideal site for a family outing. There are BBQ sites, playgrounds, easy hiking trails, fabulous waterfalls, a fresh water habitat with a lot of beautiful wild life, and it is very easy to access. However, there are occasionally leftover garbages spread around the BBQ site and on the streams. I believe it is especially important for parents to make themselves good examples for the kids, and let the kids know about the importance of protecting the environment.
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