Amah Rock 望夫石

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As I was a child, I could have a view of the Amah Rock (the stone gazing out for her husband) from the classroom window. There is a story behind this rock, like a woman carrying her child on her back on the top of a hill.  She was waiting, hoping to see her husband returning home.  The legend says a girl lost her parents.  Her neighbour adopted her.  She grew up with the neighbour boy and became his wife.  The couple had two sons.  There was a drought.  The husband had to go overseas to earn money.  His wife took her children to the top of the hill to wait for her husband.  Day after day, year over year, there was no news from the husband.  Once when they were atop the hill, a thunderstorm transformed them to this piece of rock.  What a forlorn story!

Now I have grown up and the school has moved to a new position, I finally had a chance to hike up to see the rock. It is about 15 metre high and located within the Lion Rock country park, near the tunnel of the same name.  One can hike starting from Wong Tai Sin or Shatin.  We took the latter route today.  Starting from Tai Wai station we walked along Hung Mui Kuk Road to arrive at the entrance.
 

We were welcome by a big monkey.  It ran from the higher part, suddenly grasped a bread roll from a team member and enjoyed its triumph proudly in the human crowd.  It had many fellows but they stayed around and on the branches of the big trees. If you will visit, please ensure you don't eat anything.
The path is straight forward, always up, about 250 meters.  Walking up is mainly in the shadow.  It's hot but was bearable in early June.  You will pass a wide horizontal street.  Moving up a bit, there were two paths.  We took the left one as it is less steep.

You will see the rock from far and can try to zoom it. When you are getting close it looks like just a rock, not resembling a mother carrying her child anymore.


Once you have reached the rock, you can have a fantastic view over Shatin.   One way will take about 30-40 minutes. Not difficult.






Location: Mong Fu Shek, Tai Wai, Hong Kong

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