Besides Qianlong Ancient Trail, there is another ancient trail within Lion Rock Country Park - Tsz Sha Ancient Trail. It used to be the main route taken by villagers to travel between Kowloon and Sha Tin. The ancient trail section near Tsz Wan Shan has now become cement stairs; the section from Sha Tin Pass to Shui Chuen O Estate is mainly paved with mud and stones, and better resembles the original looks of the ancient trail. The actual alignment of the real ancient trail can no longer be validated.
In 1961, some scholars discovered a stele and pottery shards of tableware from the Tang and Song dynasties at the foot hill of Tsz Wan Shan. It was inferred that the ancient courier route (now known as Tsz Sha Ancient Trail) mentioned on the stele dates back to the Song period, i.e. this ancient trail was a trade corridor used by merchants and residents to travel between the New Territories and the inland well before Hong Kong became developed. Although this information cannot be validated, it does add a good story to the ancient trail.
At the starting point is a Guanyin Buddhist hall built in 1853. One side of the archway is inscribed with the words “Magnificent views of Tsz Wan”, and the other alerts hikers with the words “turn back to see the shore”. This seems to be a more contemporary architecture. It was said that an old Guanyin Buddhist hall was built by the funds sourced from believers. In the old days, villagers had to travel long distances southwards and northwards and accidents were bound to happen. Therefore, a temple was built to pray for smooth and auspicious trips. Walk uphill to reach the high point, where the scene from the hill is wide and open. One can overlook Victoria Harbour, which is hailed as one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. Walk to Sha Tin Pass to the century old Shap Yi Watt Village. In the past, Hakka villagers of the Tsang family made a living by chopping up firewood and farming; they also made bamboo baskets and containers to sell on the side of the road, or sold tea to passers-by.
The section inside Lion Rock Country Park from Sha Tin Pass to Shui Chuen O Estate is a tree-lined path. With the sound of water flowing in Tsz Sha Stream, a summer hike would feel must less hot and stuffy. In the old days, Sha Tin was known as Lek Yuen, which means a place where the water source is clear. Most villagers were farmers. In addition to travelling to Tai Po market through waterways, villagers also carried goods such as firewood, farm produce and medicinal herbs on their backs, climbing over Sha Tin Pass to reach Wong Tai Sin and Kowloon City to make sales.
The route on this website is introduced to be conveniently accessible by public transport, which may differ from the actual alignment of the ancient path.
Hiking Etiquette
Keep the noise down in the countryside
Respect villagers and their properties
Do not enter private places or architectures that might pose hazards of collapsing
Do not pick any farm produce
Do not climb on or take away any item in the village
Take your litter home
