Ma Shi Chau Special Area, Geological special area in Tai Po District, Hong Kong.
Ma Shi Chau Special Area is a protected zone in Tolo Harbour comprising four islands spanning 61 hectares of marine and geological formations. Trails run through the area, allowing visitors to explore the exposed rock layers and coastal features up close.
This area contains sedimentary rocks from the Permian period, approximately 280 million years ago, making it one of the oldest geological sites in Hong Kong. These ancient layers provide a window into the deep history of the region's formation.
Fishing families have worked these waters for generations, and their boats and traditions remain visible in the daily life around the islands. The names and local knowledge connected to this place reflect how people have always understood their surroundings.
Take minibus 20K from Tai Po Market to Sam Mun Tsai Stop, where you can cross a natural sandbank to reach the islands during low tide. Plan your visit around low tide times to walk safely and see the rock formations most clearly.
The nature trails expose layers of sandstone, mudstone, quartzite, and siltstone that reveal the earth's history without needing excavation. This concentration of different rock types in such a small space is rare and shows how the region's geology changed over millions of years.
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