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Captured but Jimit Mehta! P.s. These photos are of January 2019!
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…time to say goodbyes
to the summer hues and fiery cries
for knocking my door
is the autumn delights...
yeh mausam ka jadoo hai mitwa, na aab dil pe kabu hai mitwa. - From Hum Aapke hai kaun movie
Officially, the heat of summers are behind us and fresh breeze of mild winters have approached. This season is not only romantic but also beautiful. For the ones in Canada, States, Europe or Japan and Northern India (Kashmir and HP) are enjoying this season's colors in the name of Autumn or Falls.Where the green leaves falls and fades away giving way to dazzling, eye catching, mood enlightening and totally romantic bronze, orange, golden and red or even dark yellow leaves on the trees. It certainly is the view to behold in eyes for a whole year!
For Bollywood lovers again, who have seen Mohabbatein movie back in 2000 would remember that one red colored maple leave which was important part of whole movie. This is when my fascination for that red colored leaves began! And studying from London only gave me thankful exposure to those dream land where I could witness that magic. Magic of normal life turning into dream site to live in day in and day out.
But its sad, that this phenomenon does not occur in tropical weather. And I never ever thought that after what I witnessed in Europe, I will ever see in Hong Kong. However, Hong Kong has truly surprised me always. Known for its vibrant and dazzling city light and its view of skyline with humongous sized buildings, one can never imagine other part of Hong Kong which is absolutely close to nature. And Hong Kong gave me this opportunity to live Mohabbatein moments this time with Hubby Dear right in middle of city chaos. (Also Check where to see sunflowers in Hong Kong - HERE)
Aha! I am sure you want to know more details... Yes, Hong Kong may not see literal falls or autumn season like other famous countries but there is this one particular place which has Sweet gum woods plants and it throws us the magic of experiencing and seeing Red and golden Leaves in a good 1-2 km stretch. Now you cannot compare it with other countries which sees autumn in its full bloom. But eh, something is better than nothing!
Where can one head to see this Red Leaves?
In Tai Tong Country Park. On Maclehose Trail Stage 10 and in Tai Lam Country Park (大欖郊野公園), it is the best place to see "Red Leaves" as people in Hong Kong usually refer to Sweet Gum Woods Leaves in autumn.
When is the ideal time to visit this place?
The
ideal time is when the leaves turn red in color. This phenomenon is
purely nature driven and may vary from year to year. Generally they say
it begins from November and remains till February. Best is to follow
some Instagram pages and look for sweet gum woods red leaves, tai tong
park, etc and see photos of others, if they appear like the one you wish
to visit than that is ideal time :).
P.S We
visited in mid January when trees where shedding red leaves but still
we could catch glimpse of some beautiful sights. Its most beautiful by
mid December till end or very early January. Alternatively, the best is
to follow this site and check the Status For Red Leaves Index.
How can one reach this place?
One can look for Google Maps : Tai Tong Sweet Gum Woods and find your ideal travel way.
P.S. One can reach till Tai Tong Shan road and from here its a little hilly walk of approx 2.7 to 3 kms to reach till Sweet Gum Woods Trees. Do not forget to check timings for return bus due to current situation.
By MTR & Bus:
The Best way we found to visit here was: Traveling by MTR till Long Ping MTR (On Dark Pink West Rail Line) and just 2 mins walk from Long Ping MTR exit B2 there is bus stop for K66 bus which heads to Tai Tong. You will find signs on black board along the sky-way which will direct you towards bus stop. One has to get down at Tai Tong Shan Road bus stop (which is second last stop) The bus takes approx 30 mins to travel from MTR till beginning of trail.
The K66 bus schedule, stops, fare and other information can be found on MOOVITAPP.COM
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Source:DroneDSLR
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By Taxi from Yuen Long station:
You can take taxi from Yuen Long station which will cost approx 70 HKD.
By Red Bus:
there is red bus from Yuen Long station - Hung Min Court (I have personally not used this way and found the Bus from Long Ping station easily accessible).
Is it a difficult trail ?
Well from the Bus stop till the sweet gum woods, the walk is little less than 3.5 kms. It is stroller friendly so you can go with kids with strollers and also wheelchair friendly as it is just a normal trail but slightly hilly which is surely manageable for a fit person.
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Source: https://www.natureintouch.gov.hk
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How much time can one spend here?
There are barbecue options on the way towards sweet gum woods, so one can arrive there in morning spend some time over barbecue and head towards sweet gum woods in afternoon and overall spend whole day around here. Or,
Just do the trail, arrive at the sweet gum woods, experience the magic, capture it, and leave which may take around 4-5 hours depending on your walk and stop speed. (The only option for rest rooms and buying water or drinks is near barbecue area)
Also, just at the beginning of trail you will see there are other parks on right hand side like lychee park and tai tong organic park, etc. I do not have much information on it but I have heard from friends that it is average place to visit with kids.
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You can see there are two routes to reach sweet gum woods. One route is via all Eco park, Lychee vallye,etc and other is the one whose details have been shared here in detail.
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Are there good food / drink options around?
There is only small Kiosk selling water and few drinks and chips near barbecue area. We could not find any other option so its best to carry your own food and drinks as you like. For Jain Food option, definitely carry your own snacks and bites.
Pro Tip: The Best photo capturing place and Instagram worthy shots can be captured near the Sweet gum woods Stand, which you will arrive at almost towards the end of road that you walk past red leaves trees and little bit ahead as well.
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The enthusiastic Little Hiker!
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Beginning of the road!
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Thoroughly overjoyed walking past street covered on either sides with Red Leaves!
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The Spot with Maximum Red Leaves near the Stand.
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And that moment with Hubby Dear!
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yeh hasin vaadiyan, yeh khula aasman moment!
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Happified We!
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Cannot really capture the beauty in lens as eyes was able to witness!
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Yeah! We love to pose!
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while i was busy praising the glory of nature....
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well, you cannot avoid crowd, in HK, in hot spots!
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Some interesting facts about Red leaves in Hong Kong
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Totally singing in awe of nature and mesmerized with the views but definitely bit tired, we click final picture before we leave this place!
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P.S. there is no other way but to walk back 3.5 kms till the bus stop and take same route as you did while coming here.
Points to Note while visiting country park:
1) Share the use of forest track. Safety comes first. Watch out for vehicles/bicycles.
2) Share the natural scenery, refrain from stepping on or picking plants or taking off the leaves.
3) Keep country parks clean. Sweet Gum Woods is a bin-free trail. Please take your litter home.
4) Avoid one-off disposables. Let's go plastic free.
5) Pack light, and wear comfortable shoes for long trail.
6) Do not liter the park or the barbecue area especially.
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