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January 2022 - Robins Nest - Lin Ma Hang Lead Mines
Shan Tsui Battery, Japanese Battery Hill
at an elevation of 40m, the first pillbox is encountered, a large concrete structure, half buried in the under growth but in good condition.
The shooting holes or ‘embrasures’ were directed to the northeast, over what was a fertile valley, but which is now studded with Mainland tower blocks. The box was constructed from good quality concrete, with a small alcove to the right as you enter, before reaching the main firing room.
Robin's Nest (Chinese: 紅花嶺; Jyutping: Hung Fa Leng (former name:麻雀嶺)) is a hill located in northeastern Hong Kong, south of the border between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in the New Territories. Robin's Nest is the 55th tallest hill in Hong Kong. The peak is 492 metres
The name Hung Fa Leng (紅花嶺) does not translate directly as 'Robin's Nest' but as 'Red Flower Ridge'.
As of June 2019, Robin’s Nest has been designated a country park, marking a huge victory for historic preservationist, environmentalist, and conservationist efforts. Standing at 492 metres above sea level, Robin’s Nest is the highest peak in northern New Territories and boasts a bird’s-eye view of Sha Tau Kok and farmlands on the Hong Kong side, and the Shenzhen metropolis on the other side.
Robin’s Nest Country Park hosts over 650 species of animals and plants, including the endangered Chinese grassbird—90 percent of its population living in the park. The ecological significance of Robin’s Nest makes this hike excellent for those who are scientifically or environmentally curious! Aside from biodiversity, the hills and valleys that make up the country park also host hidden pockets of World War II and mining relics, with abandoned war shelters and houses along the way for exploration.
Lin Ma Hang sits in the basin of Robin’s Nest. Up until 2016, the village was inaccessible to non-permit holders as it was a part of the Frontier Closed Area. Since then, the village itself has been excluded from the zoning, but the access road still falls within the closed area and requires permits for those who wish to access the village by road. Lin Ma Hang is also home to a feng shui pond, a Macintosh Fort, and the residence of Ip Ting-sz, a declared monument which was built in 1908 and modelled after Dr Sun Yat-sen’s residence in Zhongshan. It was here that Sun Yat-sen met his friends and collaborators for the revolution of China.
The lead mines of Lin Ma Hang started operating in 1915 in the hopes of procuring copper, lead, and silver. However, over the years, the production from the mines proved disappointing. It was rescinded in 1962 and abandoned that same year. It was blown up during the WWII by locals so it won’t be used by Japanese.
It was then declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1994 as it became one of the most important bat colonies in all of Hong Kong.
AFCD has since launched a protection ordinance for these bats, whereby anyone hunting or disturbing these bat colonies will face a hefty fine of $100,000 and a one-year imprisonment sentence.
Following that, in 2008, the Lin Ma Hang Stream was also declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest, as it was home to 50 percent of Hong Kong’s native freshwater fish!