Pak Nai is a wetland area, partly mud-bank, surrounded by mountain ranges, in the Yuen LongDistrict of Hong Kong facing Deep Bay. Pak Nai makes up the coastline as Sheung Pak Nai and Ha Pak Nai geographically. It is known for sunset viewing and as one of the relic site dated back to couple thousands years ago. Pak Nai is famous for its ecosystem which comes with rich biodiversity, with rare species found offshore. And, intense public concerns were paid in recent years as a controversial development proposal sparked out, which eventually dropped out under huge objections.
Attraction
Ha Pak Nai is best known as being one of the best places for watching sunset in Hong Kong, making it a beloved place of so many photographers, tourists and dating couples. The best spots for the view of sunset are the shore along Ha Pak Nai and the junction of Deep Bay Road and Nim Wan Road. It is noticeable that Nim Wan Road is the nearest road tothe sea in Hong Kong and also a popular 5 km cycling route for locals. Ha Pak Nai's shoreline is where mangroves, wetland and mud-bank are found. Therefore, rich biodiversity allows Pak Nai to become Site of Special Scientific Interest. Some species of crabs such as Perisesarma bidens and Ilyoplax tansuiensis are highlights of Ha Pak Nai. In addition, Ha Pak Nai used to be an oyster bed, thus, there is still remains of oyster shells all over the flat. Apart from the natural scenic spots, couples of relics can be found in Pak Nai. The most remarkable one is the fortified structure at No.55 Ha Pak Nai, which is a declared monument due to its connection with revolutionary movement under the leadership of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Ecology
In the mangrove in Ha Pak Nai live various species, which is highly conserved by environmentalists. Crabs, for example, Perisesarma bidens, Ilyoplax tansuiensis, Uca arcuata, and Sesarma sinensis are commonly found in the offshore mud flat. Among all crabs found in the Ha Pak Nai area, Horseshoe crab is one of the most highly conserved species. Horseshoe crabs originate from 450 million years ago; therefore, they are also called as "living fossils". Because of the copper in their blood, which can be extracted to be applied in detecting bacteria, Horseshoe crabs are highly valued in medical aspect.
Archaeology and history
There are two major relics and one historical site found around the Pak Nai area, which are the sand dunes of the Chen's homeland, Wu's homeland and a fortified structure. The Antiquities and Monuments Office found the Chen's relic in May, 1997, featuring a sand dune containing two culture levels. The excavation team found 4 postholes, 9 stone stoves, 3 kilns and 1 grave which it was the first time for Hong Kong excavating sun and moon utensils. The Wu's relic was found in September, 1997 by the same excavation team. They found culture levels in three time periods, having rammed earth foundations, stone artifacts and more.Xingzhonghui members, who were KMT, stationed at Lower Pak Nai for preparation of overturning the ruling of Qing authority and conducted bomb tests. A fortified structure at No. 55 Ha Pak Nai was built by a core member of Xingzhonghui named Tang Yam-nam around 1910. It was the only solid evidence correlating the 1911 revolution and its movement leader Sun Yat-sen and his comrades. The structure served for the surveillance across the Deep Bay coast under the Qing authority.
Development
Former Heung Yee Kuk chairman Lau Wong-fat applied for the development of Ha Pak Nai in 2007, but vigorous opposition led to withdrawal of the application. In 2010, Lau hope to pass the assessment of the Town Planning Board by sharply reducing the scale of development and gave up building a golf course, as well as adding in more conservation features, in which the butterfly-protection area was on the government's land instead of his, showing little commitment to conservation. The Ha Pak Nai village representative complained that poor transportation arrangements ought to be fatal to the plan. The government has already built facilities to introduce the fortified structure's information. In 2009 a Shenzhen official noted that the construction of the Western Express Line, a proposed railway linking the Hong Kong and Shenzhen airports, might stop in Sheung Pak Nai. However, the proposal has been shelved as a consultant hired by the Transport and Housing Bureau found that the line would cost "well in excess" of HK$110 billion and had poor financial viability and poor market demand.
Transportation
Located in the very west of New Territories, Pak Nai can be reached by minibus or taxi. Minibus number 33, from the Tai Fung Street in Yuen Long centre, drops off at Hai Pak Nai, beside the mud-bank.
