AN UNDISTURBED WATER WORLD, Nam Sang Wai (南生圍), Hong Kong

Known as the “backyard” of Hong Kong, Nam Sang Wai (南生圍) is an area of tranquil wetlands north of Yuen Long (元朗).  The “Wai” in “Nam Sang Wai” refers to “gei wai” (基圍), an old method mainly for shrimp culture introduced to Hong Kong in the 1940’s. Bounded by man made embankments, gei wai is a shallow pool in a mangrove wetland with 10 to 30 cm of water collected from the Deep Bay (后海灣).   The shrimp farmer would use a water gate to control the amount of incoming water from Deep Bay.  The sea water would also bring in juvenile fish and shrimps.  The shrimps would  then feed on the organic matters from the mangroves.  Gei wai shrimps (基圍蝦), usually steamed, has became a local delicacy throughout the years.  The gei wai method has been mostly phased out nowadays.   The former gei wai pools and fish ponds of Nam Sang Wai have became a semi-manmade wetland where visitors enjoy the serene waterways, reed clusters and pockets of grasslands, and learn more the wetland ecosystem.  It also offers a network of pleasant footpaths winding through waterways and pools, providing the perfect venue for an afternoon stroll, wedding photos, and even filming set for movies, TV shows and music videos.

The passenger boat at Shan Pui River (山貝河) is the last public passenger boat service in Hong Kong operated entirely by hand.

The first impression of Nam Sang Wai for most visitors is its overwhelming serenity of water networks.

The footpaths at Nam Sang Wai are lined with beautiful Red Gum Trees (赤桉樹).

Some old houses in Nam Sang Wai are abandoned, and are sometimes used for filming local movies.

The boardwalk by the old fish ponds are popular spots for photos.

The large lawn at Nam Sang Wai is equally popular for couples, families and pets to hang out.

Nam Sang Wai is a hotspot for both migrating birds and local waterfowls.

Beyond Shan Pui River (山貝河), the urban and industrial developments of Yuan Long seem like they may one day encroach into the wetland territories.

The peaceful water of Nam Sang Wai remains like a flawless mirror.

As a natural system to purify the surface runoff of the city, wetlands are essential in the entire water cycle of the city.

As villagers move out of the rural areas, some old stores and houses in Nam Sang Wai are gradually crumbling into ruins.

A handful of occupied houses remain in Nam Sang Wai.

Though most of them are in need of restoration.

Like pets in other rural areas of Hong Kong, the cats and dogs in Nam Sang Wai also lead peaceful lives.

A number of village homes built on stilts can be founded along Shan Pui River (山貝河).

Such serene and picturesque setting are great for photography and sketches.

After a long and relaxing stroll in Nam Sang Wai, the small man-powered boat at Nam Sang Wai Pier is always around to bring visitors back to the city’s side.