Hong Kong theme -Marine Parks and Marine Reserve

In Hong Kong ,there are 5 different kinds of Marine Parks and Marine Reserve .They are:

1.      Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park

2.       Yan Chau Tong Marine Park

3.      Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park

4.      Tung Ping Chau Marine Park

5.       Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve

The imports for marine parks and marine reserves
The Marine Parks and Marine Reserves are very important to help to protect our natural environment. Since Hong Kong is one of the busiest harbor in the world .Because of the reclaim , population growth and economic growth that will affect and be the threat of the marine life .So we need to protect and conserve the marine environment for the purposes of conservation, education and recreation.

The most famous Marine Park in Hong Kong is Hoi Ha Marine Park

In the park there are a lot of animals living in there ,such as

1. Mangroves

In Hong Kong there are 8 specials of true mangroves recorded in Hong Kong ,6 species can be found in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. Such as Kandelia obovata, Aegicera corniculatum, Excoecaria agallocha, Avicennia marina ,Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Lumnitzera racemosa. The mangroves areas are the living area of the animals ,also it helps to limit the water loss too.

2. Coral communities

Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park has lush coral communities and it is one of the best coral sites in Hong Kong. 64 out of 84 stony coral species recorded in Hong Kong can be found in this marine park. Such as  Favites flexuosa, Goniopora columna, Leptastrea purpurea, Lithophyllon undulatum, Pavona decussata. and Platygyra acuta.  They are all very beautiful ,however they are easy to get hurt. Nowadays the global warming problem become more and more serious ,if we do not do something to protect them ,all the coral will die in the future .

3. Other marine lives

Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park has rich diversity of marine lives. Some research studies showed that there are more than 120 species of coral associated fishes. such as Mastigias papua (jellyfish), Sigmadocia symbiotica (sponges), Antipatharian sp. (black coral), Cypraea arabica (cowries), Protula magnifica (tubeworm), Atergatis reticulatus (crab), Salmacis sphaeroides (sea urchin), Colochirus quadrangularis (sea cucumber), etc

**How to protect them ?

As a visitor we can also help to protect our natural environment. This is the concept that I learn last week that I want to share with all of you.

Leave no trace that mean "leave nothing but Footprints, take nothing but Photos, kill nothing but Time"

Leave no trace :
1.Plan Ahead and Prepare
2.Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3.Dispose of Waste Properly
4.Leave What You Find
5.Minimize Campfire Impacts
6.Respect Wildlife
7.Be Considerate of Other Visitors

**detail: http://www.fsoag.org/leavenotrace.htm#top

To maintain our beautiful environment ,we need to take the balance between the natural ,human and the sustainable development .Hope that everyone of us can do something to protect our earth .

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mangrove

http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/cou_vis_mar_mon/cou_vis_mar_mon_eco_hhw.html

Hong Kong theme park –Hong Kong National Geopark

Have you ever been to the Hong Kong National Geopark? Yes me I. Last year I went to hikeing with my friends ,we passed the Geopark in High Island. The view is very special and beautiful. Let me introduce more about the Geopark to all of you.

The geopark is a unique natural area with special geological significance , natural and cultural landscapes, it serves the three objectives of conservation, education and sustained development. It opened in November 2009. It covers an area of 50 km² across parts of the Eastern and Northeastern New Territories

In Hong Kong the Geopark can be divided into two main parts that includes eight sites First part is Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region, second part is the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region. The eight sites are : High Island, Ung Kong Group , Ninepin Island, Sharp Island, Double Haven, North and south coasts of Tolo Channel, Port Island - Wong Chuk Kok Tsui  and Tung Ping Chau. In different sites also have different special geological significance.

Futhermore, can you imagine that you can find the rocks that ranging from 400 million to 65 million years old, also you can find some volcanic rocks in Hong Kong? That is very fantastic.

About the background information of the high Island

It is one of Hong Kong's most popular geological sites, and home to our most spectacular rock wonder. Here, volcanic rock composes neat arrays of giant polygonal joint columns along the shore. Amongst these the hexagonal rock columns are most typical examples.

Around High Island Reservoir, especially the East Dam, you can observe the most typical hexagonal columnar joints from different angles too.

How to get there :

take bus no. 94 at Sai Kung Market or no. 96R at Diamond Hill MTR station (service on weekends and public holidays only). Get off after Pak Tam Chung and walk along Tai Mong Tsai Road to the junction ahead. Turn into Man Yee Road of Sai Kung on the right and walk on for about 9 km for the High Island Reservoir East Dam, the starting point of High Island Geo Trail.

Good news to all of you :

This year is the geopark festival .Now there are the free geo-tourism that for all of us to join it .Lets go and join it ,hope that you can enjoy the beautiful view in it and draw your great interest of our natural environment .

Details: http://www.geoparkfestival.hk/english/content.php

Source: http://www.geopark.gov.hk/en_geopark2.html

http://www.hkoutdoors.com/hong-kong/hong-kong-geopark.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_National_Geopark

Future Development of Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland

Since Hong Kong Disneyland Opened at 2005, Hong Kong Ocean Park does not be the market leader anymore.


Both theme parks have a keen competition all the time. So both theme parks are launching a series future development planning.


Ocean Park will have two part of development-The Summit and The Waterfront, new infrastructure and Ocean Park at night.

Th Summit and The Waterfront will increase lots of animal features in order to enhance its theme, such as

Grand Aquarium in Aqua City, Polar Adventure in The summit.

Ocean Park plan to build more infrastructure to coorperate the development. The tourists can be more convenient to travel and stay longer in the Ocean Park.

Those development need to take few years to complete.

Ocean Park also evaluate the development's economic impact which affect Hong Kong's labour market and long-term impact.

For Hong Kong Disneyland, it will have two phases of extension. The first phase extension will be completed within 5 years which include three new themed area , Toy Story Land, Mystic Point and Grizzly Trall.

"Toy Story Land" is scheduled to open in September 2011.The land will be themed identically; using bamboo to act as giant blades of grass surrounding the area, the use of many themed props and characters from the Toy Story movies such as a giant Woody, a giant Rex, an oversized paper plane etc.

"Grizzly Gulch" that will open up not before 2012. The path along the themed land offers high-spirited frontier fun in an abandoned mining town called Grizzly Gulch, set amidst mountains and woods. The town was founded 8 August 1888 – the luckiest day of the luckiest month of the luckiest year – by prospectors looking to discover gold. Bears have now started causing havoc at the Big Grizzly Mountain Mining Company.

"Mystic Point" is the site of mysterious forces and supernatural events in the heart of a dense, uncharted rain forest. In Mystic Manor, home to an eccentric world traveler and adventurer and his collection of exotic international artifacts, strange things are afoot as an enchanted music box releases its magical powers, thanks to a mischievous monkey.

For long-term construction, with the reclaimed land reserved for the Phase 2 Extension and the Disneyland park being blocked by the Park Promenade (a pedestrian walkway which links the MTR Disneyland Resort Station, Disneyland park and Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel), it is expected that the resort's second Disney theme park will be built on that site. A Phase 3 Extension is also being considered by the Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong Government.

Hong Kong Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland 's development are attrractive, hope both can extend and improve the park's facilities and infrastructure successfully. Furthermore, hope that can bring a new sight of Hong Kong and make Hong Kong can become the best travel destination in the world!

Souces:

http://parks.disneylandparis.co.uk/walt-disney-studios-park/lots/toon-studio/attractions/toy-story-playland.xhtml

http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/mrp/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Disneyland#Grizzly_Gulch

http://www.stoneip.info/?p=13209

Snoopy World

I think nobody don't know who is Snoopy! Snoopy was born at 1950, now he is 60 years old!

Snoopy World located at Sha Tin New Town Plaza on the balcony of Level 3 of Phase 1. New Town Plaza is a shopping mall in the town centre of Sha Tin.

Although Snoppy World are smaller than the normal theme park in Hong Kong, it's still have its attractiveness!

There is an outdoor playground and it takes about 40,000 square feet, the first Peanuts outdoor playground in Asia. It opened to the public on 1 September 2000.

The amazing giant Snoopy that sits reclining on top of his famous doghouse is the largest outdoor model Snoopy in the world. It is the biggest Snoopy in the world!

It split into six different "fun zones", this magical world contains a canoe ride, a baseball dugout, a big yellow American school bus as well as 60 popular Peanuts figures.

1. Doghouse Entry: the Snoopy House
2. School Plaza: Peanuts Academy
3. Boating Canal: Canoe Ride
4. Baseball Playground: Peanuts Dugout
5. Mini Town Area: Peanuts Boulevard
6. Covered Sitting Pavilion: Party Pavilion

It's really suitable for family, especially the Snoopy fans! It's free of addmission, located at the city and near a extensive shopping centre which include all kinds of stores.  It is a unique theme park in Asia!

Furthermore, if you are obsessed on Snoopy, it is strongly recommand that visit Charlie Brown Cafe.

It have two branches which located at Tsim Sha Tsui and Taikoo Shing.

Here is the website for more information:

http://www.charliebrowncafe.com/index.htm

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Town_Plaza

http://www.newtownplaza.com.hk/eng/snoopy_world.html

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Hong Kong Disneyland is the fifth Magic Kingdom-style theme park og the world. After years of negotiations and construction, the park opened to visitors on 12 September 2005. it is located on reclaimed land in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island.

The park consists of four themed lands similar to other Disneyland parks: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland.

Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street, USA refered to Walt Disney childhood's  living town. It built mainly by the wood and the Queen Anne style of architecture as a major. It recently added "Art of animation".

Fantasyland

Fantasyland features Sleeping Beauty Castle, as well as the Fantasy Gardens where costumed Disney characters can be met which is unique in Hong Kong Disneyland.

Adventureland

Adventureland features Tarzan's Treehouse, which is circled by the Jungle River Cruise. It is also home to the "Festival of the Lion King" show.

Tomorrowland

Like the newer generations of the American Tomorrowlands, Hong Kong's version features an emphasis on metallic trim, with lots of blue and purple hues. Since the opening of the park, some unique attractions have been added into the Hong Kong's Tomorrowland, such as a newer version of Autopia, UFO Zone and Stitch Encounter.

Last but not least, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort contain two different themed Hotel, Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel.

 

Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel 

The hotel is of a Victorian style and is located near Disneyland Harbour. The hotel has 400 guestrooms and a convention centre with ballrooms and function rooms. Guests can launch company meetings or grand weddings with Micky and Minnie even other your favourite Disney characters!

Disney's Hollywood Hotel

It is themed to 1930s Hollywood. The hotel has 600 guestrooms which offer different views; the garden view, the sea view and the park view which overlook the Hong Kong Disneyland Park.



References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Disneyland
http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage