Double Haven
Double Haven or Yan Chau Tong (Chinese: 印洲塘) is a harbour enclosed by Double Island, Crescent Island and Crooked Island within the north-eastern New Territories of Hong Kong.[1][2] It is known for its scenery and natural environment, and for the calm seas from which its English name derives. Double Haven contains many deep red coloured rocks because of iron oxide.
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Villages in Double Haven
- Lai Chi Wo (荔枝窩)
- Sam A Tsuen (三椏村)
- Kat O (吉澳)
Islands
Islands within Double Haven include:
- Chap Mo Chau
- Double Island (Wong Wan Chau)
- Fu Wong Chau
- Kat O (Crooked Island)
- Ngo Mei Chau (Crescent Island)
- Pak Ka Chau
- Yan Chau
Conservation
Parts of the haven fall within Yan Chau Tong Marine Park (印洲塘海岸公園) to protect the wildlife of the marine creatures.[3]
Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park was designated in 1979 to protect the ecology of Double Haven. It also forms a major part of Hong Kong Global Geopark, Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region.The two main ecological features of this area are mangroves and seagrass beds, which are a nursery for marine life.[4]
The Double Haven Special Area (印洲塘特別地區) covers 0.8 hectare and was designated in 2011.[5] It includes the islets Pak Ka Chau, Yan Chau (both within Double Haven) as well as the islet of Ap Lo Chun and a part of Ap Chau (both within Crooked Harbour).[6] The geology of the area is characterised by sedimentary rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.[7]
Transportation
- A ferry service runs between Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier, which sails across Double Haven on Sunday and public holidays.
- A hiking route from Wu Kau Tang to Lai Chi Wo overlooks Double Haven.
References
- "Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark". www.geopark.gov.hk. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- "Designated Marine Parks and Marine Reserve". www.afcd.gov.hk. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- "Plover Cove Country Park (Wu Kau Tang to Lai Chi Wo) | Hong Kong Tourism Board". www.discoverhongkong.com. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- "How to hike to Yan Chau Tong Marine Park (Double Haven)". Localiiz. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- "Country Parks & Special Areas". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
- "Double Haven and Others (Special Areas) Order 2010" (PDF). Legislative Council of Hong Kong. 20 October 2010.
- "Five geologically important sites designated as special areas". Government of Hong Kong. 31 December 2010.