For hikers, Hong Kong is a place blessed with natural hillsides located closely to the crowded urban towns. People usually can walk to the trailheads within 15 minutes from their living area. Trails at the urban backyards are rather short, which could be completed in less than 2 hours. In fact, the term "backyard trails" is not mentioned in the government documents nor an official term to distinguish them from the country parks hiking trails. However, we may consider the “backyard”, which normally is located on greenbelt land, forms a buffer between built-up areas and country parks from the land use perspective.
Duckling hill witnesses the development of Tseung Kwan O New Town
Duckling Hill in Tseung Kwan O is a typical new town backyard trail in its development from rural village to suburban town with a strong community of backyard trail users. It was part of a network of trails linking the nearby villages to markets in Kowloon a hundred years ago. In the late-1980s, following the reclamation plan for developing the Tseung Kwan O New Town, the 'head' of Duckling Hill was removed. New town residents turned the hillside to a morning walkers' garden with garden plots and other facilities. Meanwhile, paths at the hill were repaired. Notice boards were constructed with maps by the government officials.
Currently, over 400000 people live in Tseung Kwan O New Town. Sub-districts like Po Lam, Tsui Lam, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O Town Centre, Tiu Keng Leng, LOHAS Park, etc, are formed in accordance with the distribution of residential buildings. Nevertheless, some argue that the urban planning of Tseung Kwan O can not satisfy residents' needs, especially the lack of public space in the new town. The pedestrian flow is separated by footbridges that connect large housing areas, MTR stations and malls. Highways are constructed across the park. 'The park is so close to the tunnel entrance which is packed with traffic. We would rather spend the rest of our lives up here(at the hillside)'. Two elderly men told us at Duckling Hill.
At the hilltop of Duckling Hill with a pavilion constructed to let hikers enjoy a full view of Clear Water Bay-Port Shelter.
Hikers seek relief at nearby hillsides whereas Duckling Hill plays the key functions of a community gathering space. At the same time, we selected another ten more backyard trails, namely Mount Davis, Sir Cecil's Ride and Mount Parker Lower Catchwater on Hong Kong Island, Garden Hill & Woh Chai Shan, Hammer Hill, Shum Wan Shan and Ping Shan in Kowloon, Tuen Mun Trail, Kam Shan Country Trail, Fu Yung Shan, Wu Tip Shan and Tao Fung Shan in the New Territories. All these trails potentially serve a combined 1.5 million people who are able to access the trailhead within 15 minutes' walking distance from their homes.
Notice about removing illegal structures and miscellaneous items is still placed at Woh Chai Shan
Woh Chai Shan in Shum Shui Po is renowned for being the community gathering place for nearby residents as well. Recreational and religious activities took place here in the past few decades. However in May 2022, the Shum Shui Po District Management Committee released a notice to call upon the owners of all illegal structures and miscellaneous items to remove them in one month's time as the hill area is Government land. Residents immediately initiated a petition opposing the act. No actions have been carried out at the moment whereas the rights to use and manage the community gathering space has aroused a heated debate.
There are plenty of stories surrounding the backyard trails. We would love to introduce and share them with you by videos, photos and articles. The first series begins with the Duckling Hill video. Follow our steps and get to know more about the beauty of the Tseung Kwan O community.