Violet Hill (Hong Kong)

Violet Hill

Violet Hill, also known as Tsz Lo Lan Shan (Chinese: 紫羅蘭山, literally meaning violet (flower) hill) is located within Tai Tam Country Park in Hong Kong. The hill is a popular site for hiking. Hong Kong Government named three trails on the hill, namely Wilson Trail, Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path and Tai Tam Country Trail. Towards the top of the hill, it splits into three peaks of altitude 436 m (1,430 ft), 433 m (1,421 ft) and 430 m (1,410 ft). It offers beautiful views of Tai Tam Reservoir Group and Wong Nai Chung Reservoir. The hill is well preserved, with little construction on the hill. A rare and protected species, Hong Kong iris (Iris speculatrix) with violet flower can be found on the hill.[1][2]

Geography

The hill is situated in mid-southern Hong Kong Island. Apart from the shore of Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay in its southwest, the hill is surrounded by valleys with other hills on the island. With Mount Nicholson in its northwest, it forms a crossroad of Wong Nai Chung Gap where Wong Nai Chung Reservoir is sited. With Mount Butler in its northeast and Jardine's Lookout north, a valley leads to Tai Tam Reservoir in its east, an important water supply construction in the early colonial history of Hong Kong. Another mountain pass Tsin Shui Wan Au (淺水灣坳) forms with The Twins and Cheung Lin Shan allows one runs from Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir to the Repulse Bay.

One of the famous residential blocks Hong Kong Parkview in Hong Kong is at the north of Violet Hill amidst the valley.

History

During World War II, the hill was part of the hostilities near Wong Nai Chung Gap during the Battle of Hong Kong and was used by Japanese forces with field guns to shell Aberdeen.[3]

Hiking

Violet Hill marks the difficulty of the first stage of the Wilson Trail from Stanley. The trail passes among the peaks of hill. Another trail Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path winds west side of the hill along catchwater of Wong Nai Chung Reservoir and routes south to Tsin Shui Wan Au. Part of Tai Tam Country Trail let hikers go up the highest peak along the north ridge from Wong Nai Chung Gap.

Road access

There is no road access up the hill. Two surrounding roads, Repulse Bay Road and Tai Tam Reservoir Road lead from Wong Nai Chung Gap to Repulse Bay and Tai Tam Reservoir respectively.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Violet Hill, Hong Kong.

references

  1. ↑ Hong Kong & Macau - Page 227 1741046653 Andrew Stone, Chung Wah Chow, Reggie Ho - 2008 "The trail continues north over Violet Hill (Tsz Lo Lan Shan), where it meets the Hong Kong Trail, and passes by Mt Butler, drops down into the urban chaos and terminates at the Quarry Bay MTR station. "
  2. ↑ Edward Stokes - Hong Kong's Wild Places: An Environmental Exploration - 1995 -Page 69 "Half an hour up from Wong Nai Chung some clay steps wind up towards the summit of Violet Hill. Even for Hong Kong, replete with panoramas, Violet Hill is overpowering. Below its 433-metre summit, slopes sweep down into the depths of Tai ..."
  3. ↑ Benjamin Lai - 2014 - Hong Kong 1941–45: First Strike in the Pacific War - Page 71 1782002685 "First to move was the 228th from Wongneichong, to clear Postbridge House of the remaining resistance. At the same time, the 229th sent a recce party past Violet Hill at the south of the reservoir to the cliff that overlooks the Repulse Bay Hotel, "

Coordinates: 22°15′00″N 114°11′55″E / 22.250062°N 114.198498°E / 22.250062; 114.198498

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