************************************
The first country park visitor centre set up on Lantau Island, the Ngong Ping Nature Centre, was officially opened today (March 1).
With its increasing role as a tourism hub, Lantau has become an ideal place for promoting Hong Kong's unique and scenic countryside to overseas as well as local visitors.
In view of this and to tie in with the Lantau Concept Plan, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has established the Ngong Ping Nature Centre in Ngong Ping Village to provide visitors with hiking information and guided tour services, and further promote nature tourism in Hong Kong.
The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Miss Cheung Siu-hing, said at the opening ceremony that the country park areas on Lantau covered more than 20% of the total land area of all country parks in Hong Kong.
"The proposed Lantau North (Extension) Country Park will add another 2,000 hectares to our country park area and offer comprehensive resources for conservation, recreation, tourism, ecology, education and scientific studies, " she said.
Ngong Ping Nature Centre is the first country park visitor centre furnished with 3-D display panels in Chinese, English and Japanese. The displays feature the history and landscape of Lantau, as well as special species found on the island. Visitors may also enjoy aerial video footage of Lantau and search for hiking information at the information kiosks in the centre.
Guided tour services are available to local primary schools and kindergartens. Those interested may register and book online at www.hknature.net/naturexploration/index.php. The services will be extended to secondary schools in April.
Visitors may also join guided tours organised by the centre at designated times. In addition to tours conducted in Cantonese, the centre will offer guided tours in English during public holidays.
Enquiries can be made on 2259 3916. The opening hours are as follows:
Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturday 10am to 6.30pm
Sunday and Special Day* 9am to 6.30pm
Ngong Ping 360 Servicing Days* closed
(* designated by Ngong Ping 360)
Ends/Saturday, March 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 13:00
NNNN
