The Hong Kong Chronicles Institute announced its list of its Top 10 Natural Wonders, which was arrived at after a three-month-long voting process. High Island Reservoir took the No. 1 spot, followed by Tai O and Tai Lam Chung Reservoir in the second and third positions respectively.
| RANKING | NATURAL WONDER |
| 1 | High Island Reservoir |
| 2 | Tai O |
| 3 | Tai Lam Chung Reservoir |
| 4 | Tai Mo Shan |
| 5 | Sharp Island |
| 6 | Shing Mun Reservoir |
| 7 | Ha Pak Nai |
| 8 | Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods |
| 9 | Tung Ping Chau |
| 10 | Sunset Peak |
The list — which was compiled after more than 530,000 Hong Kong residents and tourists voted for their picks — includes some of the city’s most iconic reservoirs and peaks, as well as several other natural wonders across the territory.
High Island Reservoir, which is a geological heritage site, is the only part of Hong Kong Global Geopark that is accessible on foot, and the only place where one can touch its famed hexagonal rock columns. Tai O, called the Venice of Hong Kong, is a fishing village known for its stilt houses and unique cuisine. The standout feature of Tai Lam Chung Reservoir is the much-photographed Thousand Islands Lake.
Tai Mo Shan is the highest peak in Hong Kong, and is an inactive volcano that dates all the way back to the Jurassic period. It is located in Tai Mo Shan Country Park and provides panoramic views of the New Territories. Sunset Peak, the highest elevation on Lantau Island, is the No. 10 wonder on the list.
Sharp Island finds a place on this list for its unusual features, most notably the natural tombolo accessible only during low tide that connects the main island with an islet named Kiu Tau, while the Shing Mun Reservoir has everything from hiking trails and paperbark trees, to World War II relics and butterflies.
Ha Pak Nai is a wetland area in the SAR known for its mangroves, migratory bird population, and picturesque mudflats. The scenic island of Tung Ping Chau is a popular spot in Hong Kong for its unique rock formations, while The Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods is the go-to place in the territory to revel in colourful autumn scenery, and is a favourite among photographers for its contrast between the red leaves of the sweet gum trees and green foliage of the surrounding evergreen trees.
Header image credits: Leung Cho Pan via Canva
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