High Island (Hong Kong) Island

Address: High Island Reservoir, Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong

Website: https://www.wsd.gov.hk/en/education-and-community-outreach/water-resources/high-island-reservoir/index.html

Hours: Open 24 hours (outdoor reservoir area)

Admission: Free

High Island (Leung Shuen Wan) is an island in Sai Kung District in the eastern New Territories of Hong Kong, notable for its volcanic geology and for the reservoir infrastructure built on and around it. The site is part of the area designated within the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.

The location is visited for its dramatic columnar volcanic rock formations and sea stacks along the eastern coastline, which form well-preserved hexagonal columns visible in cliff faces and coastal platforms. There are established hiking routes and shoreline viewpoints that allow close observation of these geological features.

The island was incorporated into a major water-supply project when two dams were built across adjacent channels and the High Island Reservoir was completed in 1971. That engineering work altered the island’s connection to the Sai Kung Peninsula and created accessible dam walkways.

Geographically it sits on the eastern side of the Sai Kung Peninsula in Hong Kong and is reachable by boat from Sai Kung town or by road access to the reservoir dams and nearby country park areas. The site lies within Sai Kung East Country Park and is managed as part of Hong Kong’s protected coastal and geological attractions.

• Geopark status: Part of Sai Kung District in eastern New Territories and included within the area covered by the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.
• Reservoir history: The reservoir was completed in 1971 following construction of two dams, transforming the island’s access and shoreline.
• Access and viewpoints: Popular access points include boat services from Sai Kung town and trails that run along the reservoir dams and surrounding country park coastline.

What to See#

• High Island Reservoir (East and West Dams): Completed in 1971 by building two main dams across adjacent channels, creating the High Island Reservoir which links the former island to the Sai Kung Peninsula.
• Hexagonal rock columns and sea stacks: Coastal cliffs and sea stacks formed from columnar volcanic rock; the most visited exposures are at the island’s eastern coast and nearby stacks such as Po Pin Chau.

From Sai Kung Town: take the green minibus 29R or taxis to the High Island Reservoir East Dam (Leung Shuen Wan). By car, drive along Sai Sha Road and follow local signs to the reservoir. Buses from Kowloon/Central bring visitors to Sai Kung where a short taxi or minibus connects to the reservoir area.

• Walk the High Island Reservoir Geo Trail (East Dam) early in the morning to avoid day-trip crowds from Sai Kung.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen; the trail has exposed sections with little shade.
• Use the Sai Kung public transport options to avoid limited parking-local minibus or bus plus a short taxi are convenient.