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High Island Reservoir East Dam Hong Kong

4.6

Discover Hong Kong's ancient volcanic past at High Island Reservoir East Dam, home to UNESCO-listed basalt columns and breathtaking reservoir vistas.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, better photos

CrowdLow

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High Island Reservoir East Dam Hong Kong

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, better photos

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover Hong Kong's ancient volcanic past at High Island Reservoir East Dam, home to UNESCO-listed basalt columns and breathtaking reservoir vistas.

4.6

(1k reviews)

"A must-see for geology buffs and nature lovers, offering a glimpse into Hong Kong's fiery origins."

TIP

🚗 Green Taxi to High Island

Take a green taxi from Sai Kung Pier to the East Dam for direct access.

⏰ Avoid Weekend Taxi Queues

Plan your return transport on weekends; taxis can be scarce after 3 PM.

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 1,399 reviews

Address

萬宜水庫東壩, Sai Kung, Hong Kong

Website

geopark.gov.hk

♿ Wheelchair accessible

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

UNESCO Volcanic Rock Columns

Near East Dam

Marvel at hexagonal basalt columns, a testament to ancient volcanic activity. A must-see geological wonder.

High Island Reservoir Views

Along the dam

Stunning panoramic vistas of the vast reservoir and surrounding natural beauty. Perfect for photography.

MacLehose Trail Section

Connecting to the reservoir

Experience a segment of Hong Kong's famous hiking trail, offering diverse landscapes and challenging terrain.

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Planning Your Visit

Getting to High Island Reservoir East Dam

Reaching the East Dam involves a combination of MTR and taxi. From Sai Kung Pier, opt for a green taxi to High Island. Weekends can be busy, so plan your return trip carefully to avoid long waits for transport.

Best Time for Volcanic Wonders

Visit on a weekday to avoid crowds, especially if you're keen on exploring the UNESCO-listed volcanic rock columns. Weekends, particularly after 3 PM, can see significant waits for taxis back from the East Dam.

Best Times

When

Weekday mornings

Why

Fewer crowds, better photos

Crowd

Low

When

Weekends before 3 PM

Why

Easier transport back

Crowd

Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Did you know that Hong Kong offers some of the world's most incredible hiking trails? Explore the remanence of supervolcano eruption at Sai Kung 🌋, marvel at the scenic beauty of Tuen Mun's "Thousand Island" 🏝️, challenge yourself to conquer the clouds at Tai Mo Shan ☁️, discover the city's oldest fishing village in Tai O, and witness the most perfect sunset at Yuen Long! 🌅 Get your hiking boots r...

@discoverhongkong

9K likes • 2.2M views

🚗 Green Taxi to High Island

Take a green taxi from Sai Kung Pier to the East Dam for direct access.

⏰ Avoid Weekend Taxi Queues

Plan your return transport on weekends; taxis can be scarce after 3 PM.

The perfect hike in Hong Kong is just a minibus ride away! 🚌🌿 Hop on a ride to Shing Mun Reservoir to immerse yourself in the tranquility of HK’s outdoors. ⛰✨ Challenge yourself to conquer Needle Hill, where a rewarding view of the Thousand Islands awaits. 🏝🌅 Let's uncover the hidden gems of HK’s backyard!🌳 #DiscoverHongKong #HelloHongKong #TsuenWan #NeedleHill

@discoverhongkong

4.2K likes • 552.3K views

Hong Kong Volcanic Wonderland High Island Reservoir East Dam is situated within Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, is home to breathtaking rock landscapes of international geological importance formed when a supervolcano erupted 140 million years ago. It offers Instagram-worthy views of the reservoir, dam and breakwater dolosse, or double T-shaped concrete wave breakers including towering cliff fa...

rcee_xandrahrain

453 likes • 26.1K views

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The terrain can be uneven, so sturdy footwear is essential for exploring.

📸 Capture the Basalt Formations

The unique hexagonal columns are a photographer's dream.

My favorite dronie of all time! 🎛 📍High Island Reservoir East Dam- Hong Kong

asenseofhuber

33.6K likes • 1.2M views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚗 Green Taxi to High Island

Take a green taxi from Sai Kung Pier to the East Dam for direct access.

⏰ Avoid Weekend Taxi Queues

Plan your return transport on weekends; taxis can be scarce after 3 PM.

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The terrain can be uneven, so sturdy footwear is essential for exploring.

📸 Capture the Basalt Formations

The unique hexagonal columns are a photographer's dream.

What Travellers Say

4.6

(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors are consistently impressed by the unique UNESCO volcanic rock columns and the stunning reservoir views. The natural beauty and geological significance are major draws. However, the transportation challenges, particularly on weekends, and the limited facilities are frequently cited as drawbacks.

"High Island Reservoir and the surrounding Sai Kung East Country Park area are absolutely stunning and a must-visit for nature lovers. The reservoir itself is massive and offers breathtaking views of the turquoise water, rugged coastline, and unique hexagonal rock columns formed by ancient volcanic activity. It’s one of those places that makes you forget you’re still in Hong Kong!

The area is great for hiking, with well-maintained trails that take you through lush greenery and along the coastline. One of the best routes is the MacLehose Trail (Stage 1 and 2), which offers scenic viewpoints overlooking the reservoir and the ocean. If you’re into photography, this place is a goldmine, especially during sunrise or sunset.

The best part? It’s peaceful and not as crowded as other popular spots in Hong Kong. Just keep in mind that there aren’t many facilities, so bring enough water and snacks if you plan to spend a few hours exploring. If you’re up for an adventure, you can also visit nearby hidden gems like Long Ke Wan Beach, which is just a short hike away.

Overall, High Island Reservoir and its surroundings are a perfect escape from city life, offering breathtaking scenery, fresh air, and a bit of adventure. Highly recommend visiting if you love nature, hiking, or just want to experience a different side of Hong Kong!"

Ankitha Chapte

"Always enjoy being here. The 360° open view, sea breeze and rock formation combined forms a great experience. Very pleasant walk along the East Dam and Dolosse, if you just want an easy day out. It is also a good starting point for longer and / or tougher walks. In any case, there is no short of scenic spots. Would be good if there is public transportation to get there on weekdays !"

Val

"Must visit. A truly amazing part of Hong Kong.

Great views over the South China Sea, the marvel of engineering of the dam wall, and off course the famous hexagonal columns.

Everything is well sign posted. It's easy to walk around. There's some toilets too, but not any fresh water/food. So bring your own."

Geo Cacher (CX15)

What People Like

Unique basalt columns

Scenic reservoir views

Geological wonder

What People Dislike

Difficult weekend transport

Limited facilities

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Start by taking the MTR to Sai Kung Station. From there, head to Sai Kung Pier and catch a green taxi directly to the East Dam. Red taxis are generally for urban travel.

On weekends, especially after 3 PM, finding a taxi back can be very difficult. It's advisable to book a taxi in advance or be prepared for a long wait.

While buses serve the Sai Kung area, direct bus routes to the East Dam are limited. Taxis are the most convenient option from Sai Kung Pier.

The East Dam is a key access point to the geopark. Taking a taxi to the dam is the recommended approach for reaching the columnar basalt formations.

The reservoir trail is best accessed via taxi from Sai Kung. While some parts of the MacLehose Trail are accessible by bus, reaching the specific dam area is easier by taxi.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, there are no entrance fees or tickets required to visit the High Island Reservoir East Dam and its surrounding natural attractions.

The area is generally accessible at all times, as it's an outdoor natural site. However, it's best to visit during daylight hours for safety and visibility.

The volcanic rock columns are always visible, but visiting during daylight hours ensures you can appreciate their unique hexagonal structure and geological significance.

No booking is required for hiking the trails, including sections of the MacLehose Trail that pass by the reservoir. It's a free-access natural area.

Access to the natural geopark sites, including the columnar basalt formations near the East Dam, is free of charge.

📸 📸 Photography

The dam itself offers panoramic reservoir views, while the nearby volcanic rock columns provide unique geological shots. The surrounding hills also offer scenic vistas.

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive reservoir and rock formations. A tripod can be useful for low-light conditions or long exposures.

Absolutely! The hexagonal basalt columns are a highlight and offer incredible photographic opportunities, especially during golden hour.

While not explicitly stated, it's always wise to check local regulations regarding drone usage in natural and reservoir areas to avoid any issues.

Early morning or late afternoon (golden hour) provides the best light for photography, minimizing harsh shadows and enhancing the landscape's natural beauty.