Wildlife is the new hot topic and we quite understand why it is so! Every area and district and city and country has different animals that it is home to and that is quite interesting. Hong Kong is one of the top tourist countries where people can have a great interactional experience with wildlife. Hong Kong is prejudiced as famous for modernity, skyscrapers and heritage places. But, Hong Kong is not only about these things. Hong Kong wildlife just goes on to add to the many great things about the country. You can spot many things which you would not have seen before. For example, Pink Dolphins, Green Turtles, Monkeys, Wild Pigs, etc are some of the famous wild animals of Hong Kong. If you are an animal lover, you must visit Hong Kong once in your life to get an experience of wildlife.
Hong Kong Wildlife Parks & Sanctuaries
Wildlife in Hong Kong is something that works like a primary attraction and bring many to the destination. And naturally when there is wildlife, there are bound to be natural parks. Here we list out some of the best ones for you.
1. Hong Kong Wetland Park
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Hong Kong Wetland Park is one of the best locations to spot Hong Kong wildlife animals and species in Hong Kong. The park is spread in 61 hectares. This is an eco-tourism park where very rare animals and species are found. For example frogs, crabs, freshwater fish, birds, etc. You can visit here with your friends and family. This park is also an important part of wildlife education. You can also spot the mangrove plant.
Location– Wetland Park Rd, Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong
Timings– Mon, Wed-Sun 10 AM-5 PM
Cost– $30 per person
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2. Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
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This garden is located in the center of the country and it is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. This garden is famous for the peace and greeneries of forests. Beyond that, this park has a bundle of different kinds of animals, birds, and mammals. According to a survey, this park has 200 birds, 70 mammals and 30 reptiles including animals like Bornean orangutan, buff-cheeked gibbon, sloths, lemurs, and even flamingos. In recent times, this park has been criticized regarding its facilities and services.
Location– Albany Road, Central Hong Kong
Timings– 5am-10PM (Terrace Gardens), 9 AM-4.30 PM (Greenhouse and Exhibition Centre).
Cost– Free of cost
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3. Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
This is an impressive place in tourist places in Hong Kong. Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden are spread in 148 hectares. This is located on the northern slopes of Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest mountain. Hong Kong has started a mission of awareness towards living species in this garden. In this garden, you can find numbers of animal and bird sanctuaries. You can find many different animals and species like leopard cats, reptiles, muntjacs, good ol’ pigs, flamingos, deer, etc. If you are lucky, you can spot rare porcupines and pangolins. This farm was created to aid poor farmers but now it has become a great tourist destination. This farm is also used for vegetations and greenhouses.
Location– Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Timings– Daily 09:30 AM – 5 PM
Cost– $30 for adults
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4. Kam Shan Country Park
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This park is one of the oldest parks in Hong Kong and it was established in 1977. This park is also known as Monkey Hill. The credit goes to the 1800 residents who have worked hard in conservation in this park. This place can be visited by friends and families. In this park, you can find many rare trees nearby roads and beaches. This park is famous for monkeys. According to a survey, there are 1800 monkeys in this park. It also contains 4 reservoirs. This park is also famous for Hiking.
Location– Golden Hill Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Timings– Daily 9.30 AM – 5 PM
Cost– $20-$30 per person
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5. Mai Po Nature Reserve
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Mai Po Nature Reserve is the best place for bird lovers and watchers in Hong Kong. Every winter, ten thousands of birds can be spotted here. Birds usually migrate from this place to another. In this park, 400 species of birds can be found. For example, eagles, vultures, winter waterbirds are some famous birds. This park is listed under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance of Hong Kong. Inner Deep Bay is an important area for birds and biodiversity in this park.
Location– Yuen Long, Hong Kong
Timings– Daily 9.30 AM – 5 PM
Cost– $20-$30 per person
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6. Ocean Park Hong Kong
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This is one of the most beloved parks in Hong Kong. It is located on the southside of Hong Kong Island. This park is especially famous for thrill rides and roller coasters. But beyond these things, this park is also known for its conservation work. Here you can spot an array of protected animals and exotic creatures. For example, giant pandas(Ying Ying and Le Le first), arctic foxes, different species of sharks, giant walrus, etc are some famous animals of this park. You can also spot dolphins, penguins, seals and sea lions. If you stay in Hong Kong during Halloween, this park organizes it and it will surely attract you.
Location– Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
Timings– Daily 9.30 AM – 5 PM
Cost– HK$ 438(adults) and HK$ 219(children)
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7. Hong Kong Park
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Hong Kong Park is another place where you can spot many wild animals which are famous in Hong Kong. This is a huge park, spread in 80,000 square meters. This park is situated in the heart of the city. This park is the best place for birdwatchers. In this park, there are 550 birds of 70 species. In this park, you can also enjoy its greeneries and waterfalls
Location– Central Hong Kong
Timings– Daily 6 AM -11 PM
Cost– Free of cost
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Some Famous Hong Kong Wildlife Animals
When talking about Hong Kong wildlife how can we not discuss, the many wild animals that one can spot in Hong Kong. Here are some of the most famous animals in Hong Kong.
1. Pink Dolphin
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Pink dolphin or Chinese wild dolphin is a rare dolphin that attracts many tourists to visit Hong Kong. This dolphin looks like a grey-pink colour. This dolphin gets its colour by blushing in its body with the changes in temperatures. This dolphin can be spotted at the Pearl River estuary, near Lantau and Peng Chau. If you want to see these dolphins very closely, you should do Dolphinwatch. There are some boat services to spot these dolphins. The best thing is that, if you couldn’t see any dolphin for the first time, you can do it next time for free.
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2. Saunders Gull
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Saunders Gull is also an attractive bird in Hong Kong. This bird looks like a duck but it is not so. It is often mistaken as a duck. This bird has a pale fluffy white body, a narrow blackhead, and a grey tail. This bird may come under the list of favourite birds among birdwatchers. You can spot these birds at Mai Po Marshes circling in the air for their food(mudskippers, crabs, fish, and worms).
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3. Archduke Butterfly
Archduke butterflies are one of the rarest butterflies in Hong Kong. This butterfly was first discovered here eight years ago. Some unique features make these butterflies different from others. For example, a male archduke has white wings and a female archduke has a blue-green tinged edge. These butterflies are very difficult to spot. On Lantau Island, these are generally found. A survey says that there are 199 species of this butterfly.
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4. The Black Faced Spoonbill
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Black-faced spoonbill is another famous bird in Hong Kong and it attracts many tourists to visit here. This bird has a distinctive beak resembling a spoon, or a pipa(Chinese classical instrument). These birds are found in coastal areas of South-East Asia, but, in the winter season, they migrate towards Hong Kong and Macao. In winter, a group of black-faced spoonbills migrates towards Mai Po Inner Deep Bay, near Yuen Long.
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5. Romer’s Tree Frog
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This is another species, very famous in Hong Kong. The size of this is very small. This frog was firstly discovered on Lamma and Lantau Island in 1952. This frog has a unique feature in its look. This frog can be easily spotted with its triangular blunt snout and brown lips. Nowadays, these species are under protection and you can find it at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden.
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Some of Hong Kong’s Most Endangered Species
While taking a Hong Kong wildlife tour, you should also know about some of the endangered species of Hong Kong so that you don’t miss out on spotting them on your tour.
1. Pangolin
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Pangolin is listed under one of the rarest mammals of Hong Kong because the numbers keep decreasing. Pangolins are found in Africa, Asia, and China. This creature is very easy to identify by its large, curved claws and overlapping scales. They usually live in burrows and tree hollows.
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2. Chinese White Dolphin
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This is the second creature that is getting endangered by time to time. According to a survey by the Agriculture and conservation department, 87 Chinese white dolphins were spotted in the year from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011. The number decreases up to 65 in 2015/16 and 45 in 2016/17.
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3. Green Turtle
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The Green Turtle is also a famous creature which is found in Hong Kong. But, from time to time, the number of these turtles is decreasing. The weight of this turtle is up to 300 kilograms when fully grown which makes it quite heavy. You must check these out on your trip to Hong Kong.
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4. Hong Kong Cascade Frog
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This is another endangered creature in Hong Kong. This frog is also called “torrent frog”. It is not an easy task to find these frogs because of their small size. This frog has an around, protruding snout and black, gold-rimmed eyes. This frog can be found in Hong Kong Island.
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Hong Kong Wildlife Tips
There are some useful tips while Hong Kong wildlife which you should consider before.
1. You must carry a first aid box.
2. You should keep sufficient foods and drinks in your bag.
3. You should not take any infants with you of less than 5 years.
4. You should not get down from your vehicles while having a tour of the jungle.
5. You should not use any strong perfume.
6. You should keep a distance while enjoying the wildlife.
7. You must keep a tour guide with you who can properly guide you.
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So, taking Hong Kong wildlife tour can give you so many experiences. You will also get different types of knowledge with this tour. You can also use these experiences in your respective educational fields. So, if you are also a nature lover and want to see wildlife, you can take a Hong Kong trip. This will surely satisfy your senses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hong-Kong Wildlife
How many days it will take to see all wildlife attractions in Hong-Kong?
A day trip is necessary to see a wildlife park in Hong-Kong. Therefore, you must come here under a weeklong Hong-Kong wildlife holiday tour package to see all wildlife attractions present here.
Which is the best time to visit Hong-Kong Wildlife?
October to February is the right time to visit Hong-Kong to see its wildlife attractions. These are pleasant months to see the wild animals, reptiles, birds, and marine life in their natural state.
What type of clothing is the best to take for a wild tour in Hong-Kong?
Casual wear for men, women, and kids are the best clothing to take a wild tour in Hong-Kong. The peak wild tour seasons October to February are not too cold during the night or too hot during the day.
Can a solo woman tourist can take a wildlife tour in Hong-Kong?
Yes, a solo woman tourist can independently visit its zoological parks, Wetland Park. and marine parks. Yet, they must go with a registered travel guide to see the wildlife in the Mai Po Nature Reserve.
Children of what age is allowed to explore the Nature Reserve area of Hong-Kong?
Children 5-years and above are allowed to see the wildlife in Hong-Kong Nature Reserves. This restriction is due to children’s safety reasons in the wilderness.
Which is the best place for bird lovers to visit in Hong-Kong in their natural state?
The bird lovers must visit Mai Po Marshes. Here, you can find many water birds and migratory birds. This is also a Natural reserve area in Hong-Kong.
Is Hong-Kong a tourist-friendly place to take a wildlife tour?
Yes, Hong-Kong is an international tourist destination in Southeast Asia. It is a tourist-friendly place too. People from any country can take a wildlife tour here in all seasons.
What is the national animal of Hong Kong?
The Giant Panda Bear is considered to be the national animal of Hong Kong. It is a larger animal with a large head and nose and a shorter tail.
How many national parks are there in Hong Kong?
There are almost 24 national parks in Hong Kong that covers around three-quarters of the land of the country.
Where can you see the animals in Hong Kong?
Mai Po Nature Reserve is the best place to find almost all the species of animals. Monkeys can be found in Kam Shan Country Park.
Which part of the year is the best for having a wildlife tour in Hong Kong?
From October to April, one can visit the wildlife sanctuaries of Hong Kong. June is the wettest month and July the hottest.
Which species of snakes are found in Hong Kong?
Chinese Cobra, a Chinese water snake, Boita, Rhabdophis, etc. are few species of snakes that are found in Hong Kong.
Which is the best bird sanctuary of Hong Kong?
Edward Youde Aviary is the best place for bird watching. It is a beautiful valley. The best bird sanctuary of Hong Kong.
Why are endangered dolphins of Hong Kong pink in colour ?
They have this colour because the blood vessels are located very close to their skin. They are called Chinese dolphins.
How many islands are there in Hong Kong?
About 253 islands are covering around 500 square meters of land in Hong Kong.
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