Beyond the towering skyscrapers of Hong Kong lies a natural wonder that is not to be missed: the hexagon rock columns in the rural area of Sai Kung. These unique stones, vividly shaped like concrete snakes, are just one of many bizarre stones to be found at the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. The hexagonal volcanic rock columns have been selected as one of the First 100 International Union of Geological Sciences Geological Heritage Sites.

While it may be surprising to some, Hong Kong is actually comprised of 75% rural area, with 15 locations for geo-sightseeing, including the popular High Island Reservoir East Dam. You may recognize this location from the 500 HKD bank notes, which feature the iconic hexagon rock columns formation.

Although earthquakes are rare in Hong Kong today, they were once frequent more than 140 million years ago. A volcanic eruption shrouded the area in ash and lava, then folded by plate movement in a half-melting condition. Over time, the rocks were eroded by wind and water, resulting in the masterpiece we see today.

Hexagonal Stone

The most magnificent location to explore the rock columns is the High Island Reservoir East Dam, where the S-shaped columns are not to be missed. The tallest column stands at an impressive 3 meters tall, but please be aware that the visiting point is fenced off for safety reasons. Exploring further in East Dam which is located in the Geopark is fairly a wholesome option. Visit our article talking about High Island Reservoir East Dam.

Po Pin Chau

One of the highlights of Hong Kong Geopark is Po Pin Chau (破邊洲), a magnificent breakaway island with 100-meter-tall hexagonal rock columns that dominate the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark area. If you reach the end of the Po Pin Chau trail, you can have a glimpse of Po Pin Chau and its surrounding area. The view is spectacular 360 degrees.

Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark Itinerary

If you are interested in going the Geopark, you can check out the following itinerary. 

Day Trip to UNESCO Global Geopark