Inspiration Lake, Artificial lake in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong.
Inspiration Lake is an artificial water body in Penny's Bay on Lantau Island, covering about 12 hectares. It features multiple water jets and cascading waterfalls along its shoreline, surrounded by dense trees and shrubs throughout the area.
In November 1999 the Hong Kong government agreed with the Walt Disney Company to build a resort at Penny's Bay, with a 12-hectare lake planned northwest of the park for recreation and irrigation. Construction began on 24 October 2001 under a HK$2.08 billion contract won by China State Construction International. The site held over 30,000 cubic metres of dioxin-laced sludge from the former Cheoy Lee Shipyard, costing more than HK$300 million to clean up. The centre was completed on 11 July 2005 and opened on 16 August 2005, built for HK$400 million and managed by the Walt Disney Company.
The name combines Disney and Sunny Bay (欣澳), the two places it sits between. The service centre is built in an old English style with pitched roofs of timber and asphalt shingles, and railings carry Mickey Mouse patterns, while lamps, bins and benches follow American designs. Picnicking is allowed, and many families bring their own food.
The lake is reachable about 15 minutes on foot from Disneyland MTR station or by the R8 bus route. The grounds are open for walking and jogging, with several rest areas placed along the paths for a comfortable visit.
The only Eucalyptus deglupta tree in Hong Kong grows in the arboretum here. The 4-hectare plant collection also holds a banyan moved from the former Cheoy Lee Shipyard, where it had stood for 50 years; its crown spans over 20 m and it weighs 180 tonnes.
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