View source for Pak Nai

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Short description|Wetland in Hong Kong}}
[[File:Sheung Pak Lai 2011.jpg|thumb|Sheung Pak Nai and [[Shenzhen Bay]] in 2011.]]
[[File:Hapanei.jpg|thumb|Mudflat of Ha Pak Nai.]]
'''Pak Nai''' ({{zh|t=白泥}}) is a [[wetland]] area, partly mud-bank, surrounded by mountain ranges, in the [[Yuen Long District]] of [[Hong Kong]] facing [[Deep Bay, China|Deep Bay]] (aka. Shenzhen Bay). Pak Nai makes up the coastline as Sheung Pak Nai ({{zh|t=上白泥|labels=no}}) and Ha Pak Nai ({{zh|t=下白泥|labels=no}}) geographically.
Pak Nai is famous for its [[ecosystem]] which comes with rich [[biodiversity]], with rare species found offshore. In recent years, the public has paid concern to a controversial development proposal, which eventually was dropped under objections.
Besides its rich ecosystem, Pak Nai is known for its sunset views and historically-significant sites dating back to a couple thousand years ago.
==Administration==
For electoral purposes, Ha Pak Nai and Sheung Pak Nai are part of the [[Ha Tsuen (constituency)|Ha Tsuen]] constituency.
== Ecology ==
Ha Pak Nai's {{convert|6|km|mi|adj=mid|-long|sp=us}} shoreline is where [[mangrove]]s, wetlands and mud banks are found. The mangroves in Ha Pak Nai harbour various species and are highly [[Conservation movement|conserved]] by environmentalists. The rich [[biodiversity]] of this area has prompted the government to designate it a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest (Hong Kong)|Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ecological Impact |url=https://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_1712009/EIA/html/Main%20Text%20(Pdf)/Section%2010%20_Ecological%20Impact_3.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112201653/http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/register/report/eiareport/eia_1712009/EIA/html/Main%20Text%20(Pdf)/Section%2010%20_Ecological%20Impact_3.pdf |archive-date=12 January 2016 |access-date=20 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mangrove Fauna |url=https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/speciesgroup/speciesgroup_mangrove.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224161331/https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/speciesgroup/speciesgroup_mangrove.html |archive-date=24 February 2021 |access-date=2020-09-20 |website=Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department |language=en}}</ref> Ha Pak Nai used to be an [[oyster]] bed, thus, There are still remains of oyster shells all over the mudflat.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-06-30 |script-title=zh:醉人落日 情迷下白泥 |url=http://paper.wenweipo.com/2015/06/30/zt1506300033.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701023020/http://paper.wenweipo.com/2015/06/30/zt1506300033.htm |archive-date=1 July 2016 |access-date=2016-03-27 |work=paper.wenweipo.com |language=zh}}</ref>
Some species of [[crab]]s such as ''[[Perisesarma bidens]]'', ''[[Ilyoplax tansuiensis]]'', ''[[Uca arcuata]]'' and ''[[Sesarma sinensis]]'' are commonly found in the offshore [[Mudflat|mud flat]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |script-title=zh:Go!青錄像 熊仔頭單車遊 第三集-下白泥篇 Freshtube Bear Cycling Journey Epi.3-In Ha Pak Nai |url=http://www.youth.gov.hk/tc/freshtube/detail.htm?content=669&cat=%25E7%2586%258A%25E4%25BB%2594%25E9%25A0%25AD%25E5%2596%25AE%25E8%25BB%258A%25E9%2581%258A |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406092956/http://www.youth.gov.hk/tc/freshtube/detail.htm?content=669&cat=%25E7%2586%258A%25E4%25BB%2594%25E9%25A0%25AD%25E5%2596%25AE%25E8%25BB%258A%25E9%2581%258A |archive-date=2016-04-06 |access-date=2016-03-27 |website=Youth.gov.hk |language=zh}}</ref>
Among all the [[crab]]s found in the Ha Pak Nai area, the [[horseshoe crab]] is one of the most highly conserved species.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Horseshoe crabs originate from 450 million years ago and are called "[[living fossil]]s". Because of the [[copper]] in their [[blood]], which can be extracted to be applied in detecting [[bacteria]], horseshoe crabs are highly valued in medicine.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:下白泥尋活化石馬蹄蟹 獨有藍血助醫療檢測 |url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/supplement/special/art/20151021/19340943 |access-date=2016-03-27 |website=蘋果日報}}{{dead link|date=May 2024}}</ref>
== Archaeology and monument ==
[[File:Long Chok Tsuen.jpg|thumb|Fortified Structure at No. 55 Ha Pak Nai]]
There are two major relics and one historical site found around the Pak Nai area, which are the [[Dune|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 {{convert|1|m|ft|adj=mid|-high|sp=us|spell=in}} sand dune containing two culture levels.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Ou |title=Yue Gang kao gu yu fa xian |publisher=Joint Publishing (HK) Co, Ltd. |year=2004 |edition=1st |location=Hong Kong}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:第一節 竈的發現 |url=http://www.chinareviewnews.com/crn-webapp/cbspub/secDetail.jsp?bookid=35001&secid=35032 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410073217/http://www.chinareviewnews.com/crn-webapp/cbspub/secDetail.jsp?bookid=35001&secid=35032 |archive-date=10 April 2016 |access-date=2016-03-27 |website=chinareviewnews.com |language=zh}}</ref> The excavation team found 4 [[posthole]]s, 9 stone stoves, 3 [[kiln]]s and 1 [[grave]] which it was the first time for Hong Kong excavating sun and moon utensils.<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mo |title=Nan Yue wen wu kao gu ji  |publisher=文物出版社 |year=2003 |edition=1st |location=Beijing}}</ref>
A fortified structure at No.55 Ha Pak Nai, which is a [[Declared monuments of Hong Kong|declared monument]] owing to its connection to the [[1911 Revolution|revolutionary movement of modern China]] under the leadership of [[Sun Yat-sen|Dr. Sun Yat-sen]]. [[Revive China Society|Hsing Chung Hui]] ([[Revive China Society]]) members, who were [[Kuomintang|KMT]], stationed at Lower Pak Nai for preparation of overturning the ruling of [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] authority and conducted [[bomb]] tests.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Liu |first=Tik-sang |title=Becoming Marginal a Fluid Community and Shamanism in the Pearl River Delta of South China |date=1995 |type=Ph.D. dissertation |publisher=University of Pittsburgh}}</ref> (Luo 1971:37) The structure was built by a core member of Hsing Chung Hui named Tang Yam-nam around 1910. It was the only solid evidence correlating the [[1911 Revolution|1911 revolution]] and its movement leader [[Sun Yat-sen]] and his comrades. The structure served for the surveillance across the [[Deep Bay, China|Deep Bay]] coast under the Qing authority.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fortified Structure at No. 55 Ha Pak Nai, Yuen Long |url=http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/monuments_99.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031163052/http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/monuments_99.php |archive-date=31 October 2019 |access-date=2016-03-27 |website=Antiquities and Monuments Office}}</ref>
== Sunset==
[[File:Sunset in Ha Pak Nai.jpg|thumb|Sunset in Ha Pak Nai]]
Ha Pak Nai ("Ha" means "lower") is known as one of the best places for viewing [[sunset]] in [[Hong Kong]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pak Nai |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/hong-kong/sights/beaches-islands-waterfronts/pak-nai |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413173500/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/hong-kong/sights/beaches-islands-waterfronts/pak-nai |archive-date=13 April 2016 |access-date=2016-03-27 |website=Lonely Planet}}</ref> making it a beloved place of many photographers, tourists and dating couples.<ref>{{Cite web |title=On the Magical Seashore of Hong Kong - National Geographic Photo Contest 2011 |url=http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/124586/view/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125072733/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/photo-contest/2011/entries/124586/view |archive-date=25 January 2012 |access-date=2016-03-27 |website=National Geographic}}</ref> The best sunset-viewing spots are the shores along Ha Pak Nai and the junction of Deep Bay Road and Nim Wan Road.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:下白泥 |url=http://travel.ulifestyle.com.hk/DetailSpot.php?id=ADIRZREvA3Y |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410132805/http://travel.ulifestyle.com.hk/DetailSpot.php?id=ADIRZREvA3Y |archive-date=10 April 2016 |access-date=27 March 2016 |website=U Travel |language=zh}}</ref> Nim Wan Road is a popular 5&nbsp;km cycling route for locals.<ref name=":0" />
== Withdrawn development plans ==
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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Olga |date=28 August 2010 |title=New idea for rural site riles conservationists |url=http://www.scmp.com/article/723318/new-idea-rural-site-riles-conservationists |access-date=2016-03-27 |work=South China Morning Post}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-11-02 |script-title=zh:劉皇發撤回發展下白泥 |url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20101102/14617145 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408204533/http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20101102/14617145 |archive-date=8 April 2016 |access-date=2016-03-27 |work=蘋果日報 |language=zh}}</ref> The Ha Pak Nai village representative complained that poor transportation arrangements ought to be fatal to the plan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-07-09 |script-title=zh:下白泥冀活化為旅遊村 |url=http://www.hkcd.com.hk/content/2015-07/09/content_3468998.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425180044/http://www.hkcd.com.hk/content/2015-07/09/content_3468998.htm |archive-date=2016-04-25 |access-date=2016-03-27 |work=hkcd.com.hk |language=zh}}</ref> The government has already built facilities to introduce the fortified structure's information.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:元朗下白泥55號碉堡 |url=http://www.amo.gov.hk/b5/monuments_99.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505202804/http://www.amo.gov.hk/b5/monuments_99.php |archive-date=5 May 2016 |access-date=2016-03-27 |website=古物古蹟辦事處 |language=zh}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lam |first=Anita |date=10 October 2009 |title=HK-Baoan airport line may threaten ecologically sensitive area |work=South China Morning Post}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2014 |title=Railway Development Strategy 2014 |url=http://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/publications/rds2014.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710032228/http://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/publications/rds2014.pdf |archive-date=10 July 2015 |access-date=6 December 2016 |publisher=Transport and Housing Bureau}}</ref>
== Transportation ==
Located in the very west of [[New Territories]], Pak Nai can be reached by [[minibus]] or [[Taxicabs of Hong Kong|taxi]]. Minibus number 33, from Tai Fung Street in the center of [[Yuen Long]], drops off at Pak Nai, beside the mud-bank.<ref>{{Cite web |title=i-busnet.com |url=http://www.i-busnet.com/minibus/nt/r33.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725041950/http://www.i-busnet.com/minibus/nt/r33.php |archive-date=25 July 2020 |access-date=2016-03-27 |website=i-busnet.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |script-title=zh:新界區專線小巴路線第 33 號 |url=http://hketransport.td.gov.hk/ris_page/get_gmb_detail.php?route_id=2232&lang=TC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414172640/http://hketransport.td.gov.hk/ris_page/get_gmb_detail.php?route_id=2232&lang=TC |archive-date=14 April 2016 |access-date=2016-03-27 |website=hketransport.td.gov.hk |language=zh}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist|40em}}
==External links==
{{commons category|Pak Nai}}
* [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/M/m-ht-15.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Pak Nai Tsuen (Ha Tsuen) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
* [https://www.had.gov.hk/rre/images/village_map1922/M/m-ht-16.pdf Delineation of area of existing village Ha Pak Nai Tsuen (Ha Tsuen) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)]
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[[Category:Yuen Long District]]