Hikers reminded against inadvertent entry into closed area

The Police call on the public to be mindful of the new alignment of the Frontier Closed Area (FCA) after its official opening in order to avoid inadvertent entry into the Closed Area. Any person who enters or leaves the FCA without a valid Closed Area Permits (CAPs) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000 and to imprisonment for 2 years, pursuant to section 38 of the Public Order Ordinance (Cap. 245, Laws of Hong Kong).

Part of the FCA in New Territories North, which was established more than six decades ago, was excised from the FCA effective on 15 February 2012 and 10 June 2013 respectively, including some 740 hectares of land in the Lin Ma Hang to Sha Tau Kok Section and the Mai Po to Lok Ma Chau Control Point Section and some 710 hectares of land Lok Ma Chau Control Point Section to Ng Tung River Section. Members of the public can access to parts of these areas, including Tong To, Shan Tsui Tsuen, San Tsuen, Tam Shui Hang, Chui Hang, Muk Min Tau, in Sha Tau Kok, Ma Tso Lung Tsuen, Shun Yee San Tsuen, Liu Pok Tsuen, Tak Yuet Lau Tsuen, Ha Wan Tsuen and Lok Ma Chau Tsuen in Lok Ma Chau, without applying for CAPs. Please refer to ANNEX 1, ANNEX 2 and ANNEX 3.

Given that some of the newly-opened area are adjacent to some popular hiking trails and the FCA in Ta Kwu Ling, FCA warning signs were set up near these trails to remind hikers of inadvertent entry.

The Police have however observed a handful of hikers inadvertently trespassing the FCA in Ta Kwu Ling (in particular Lin Ma Hang Village) at the early stage of FCA opening. As such, extra FCA warning signs have been set up at popular trails connected to the Ta Kwu Ling FCA (especially sections towards Lin Ma Hang Village). Meanwhile, hikers are advised to plan their trips carefully before setting off, including alternative routes to avoid entry to the FCA, and to act mindfully in accordance with the FCA warning signs during their journey.

Hikers should pay attention to the following routes:

1. from Robin's Nest to Lin Ma Hang Village (Hikers are advised to end the journey at the Kwong Shan Police Lookout and follow the same route back to Robin's Nest);
2. from Robin's Nest and Hung Fa Chai to Tam Shui Hang Tsuen or Shan Tsui Tsuen (Upon arriving at the intersection 50Q KK126963 / 50Q KK127964, hikers should head eastward for Tam Shui Hang Tsuen or Shan Tsui Tsuen. It is not recommended to take the northern trail towards Pak Kung Au because there is no known path to proceed to Tam Shui Hang Tsuen or Shan Tsui Tsuen.); and
3. from Ma Tseuk Ling or Man Uk Pin via Robin's Nest and Hung Fa Chai to Lin Ma Hang Village, Tam Shui Hang Tsuen or Shan Tsui Tsuen (Please refer to the recommendations set out in (i) and (ii)).

The above trails are very demanding, part of which consist of rugged and steep paths. Hikers are strongly encouraged to exercise discretion in planning their trips for routes commensurate with their personal strength and ability.

ANNEX 1

ANNEX 2

ANNEX 3