Hong Kong Plant Walk #2: Tai Po Kau***About this outing***:
For this second HK plant walk, we will be doing an easy hike in Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve. Our aim is to get familiar with Hong Kong’s native plants by using the Inaturalist app. We will begin with a quick overview about Inaturalist and how to make and upload an observation – by doing so, you’ll be contributing useful biodiversity data to a huge citizen science database! Then, we will wander at a comfortable pace along the shaded forest trails of the nature reserve, pausing to look more closely at plants and record what we see. Tai Po Kau is rich in interesting and unusual flora, and if we are lucky, we might spot the Hong Kong Ania, a native orchid (see picture).
This event is beginner-friendly. You need moderate fitness and comfortable walking/hiking shoes (there’s a short uphill climb to start). Shoes with good grip are best as some parts of the trail are uneven and the stones can be a little slippery when it’s humid.
***About the organizer:***
I am a regular hiker, plant lover and Inaturalist ambassador. However, I am not a botanist or expert! The aim of this walk is to discover plants together, document Hong Kong’s native biodiversity and work on removing our plant blindness.
***Please***:
✔Have a true profile photo of yourself on Meetup, so that I can recognize you
✔Download the Inaturalist app on your phone before the walk and create an account
✔Have breakfast and hydrate before the hike
✔Plan your transportation to Tai Po Kau and show up on time!
***Do bring***:
✔Water or sports drink (at least 750ml)
✔ Walking/hiking shoes with decent grip
✔Mosquito repellent
✔Sun protection (hat / sunscreen / long sleeves)
✔Umbrella
***Don't***:
❌Wear inappropriate clothes/shoes (flip flops, heels)
❌Be late
❌Bring guests (all participants must sign up separately)
❌Smoke or drop litter on the trail
***Route description***: Tai Po Kau Red Walk and connecting trails
***Walk details***: Approx. 5 km with 200m climb. There is a short steep road section at the very start, but most of the walk is relatively flat and shaded. However, it could still be warm and humid. I plan to finish within 3 hours and the walk is circular - we will end the walk back at the starting point.
***Meeting time and place***: 10am at the Entrance of Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve on Tai Po Road (Tai Po Kau).
I will wait near the “Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve” wooden sign.
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/1tCoS38hQkFGQtZ86](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1tCoS38hQkFGQtZ86)
***Transportation info***
**By taxi or Uber**
The entrance of the nature reserve is located on Tai Po road (Tai Po Kau), here:
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/R19HKRNLgM1Cbq79A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/R19HKRNLgM1Cbq79A)
There is a lay-by with a public sitting-out area at the nature reserve entrance.
**By public transport**
If taking public transport, you need to get off at the **Chung Tsai Yuen bus stop** on Tai Po road, which is a 2-minute walk from the nature reserve entrance. You can take the following services; the green minibus is the most regular option:
**Green minibus**
28K Tai Po Market MTR Station \~ Sha Tin (Pak Hok Ting Street) (Circular route, 10 min intervals).
* From Sha Tin, the journey takes around 25 minutes
**KMB bus**
72 Tai Wo \~ Cheung Sha Wan (20-25 minute intervals)
* An easy place to get this bus is from the bus station underneath Tai Wo MTR. The journey takes 20 minutes. For this walk, take the 9:20 departure.
72A Tai Wai MTR Station \~ Tai Po Industrial Estate (30 minute intervals)
* From Tai Wai, the bus departs every 00 and 30 minutes, and the journey takes 30 minutes. For this walk, take the 9:00 or (latest) 9:30am departure.
73A Yu Chui Court \~ Wah Ming (30 minute intervals)
74A Tai Wo \~ Kai Yip (60 minute intervals)
***Important notes***:
* I will make a list of participants with visible profile photos on Meetup. If you cannot make it, please update your RSVP on Meetup as soon as possible.
* Out of respect for all participants, we will not wait a long time for latecomers. If you are running late due to transportation issues, please leave a message on this page before 10am to let us know. Otherwise I will start the walk promptly.
* I will not check messages after the walk begins. There is limited network coverage in the nature reserve.
* The walk may be cancelled in the event of heavy rain/thunderstorm or for other reasons. Please check this page 2 hours before the event time for any updates.
* There is no shop at the start or along the route. Be mindful of warm weather, and please bring enough water and a snack for energy if you need it.
* There is a public toilet near the start of the walk.
* Participants join this walk at their own choosing and at their own risk.