The park is home to the descendants of monkeys released in the area during the early 20th century to control the growth of Strychnos angustiflora, a poisonous plant threatening the Kowloon Reservoir's water quality.
The Kowloon Reservoir, completed in 1910, was the first reservoir ever built in the New Territories.
The area features distinct colonial-era engineering architecture, specifically the Victorian-style dam and valve house at the Kowloon Reservoir.
The monkey population includes both rhesus macaques and long-tailed macaques, as well as hybrids of the two species.
The park acts as a significant ecological corridor linking the northern and southern mountain ranges of the central New Territories.
Kam Shan Country Park is primarily recognized for its large population of wild rhesus and long-tailed macaque monkeys. Established in 1977, the park encompasses 337 hectares of mountainous terrain in the New Territories. It serves as a vital catchment area for the Kowloon Reservoir group, featuring four historic reservoirs: Kowloon Reservoir, Kowloon Reception Reservoir, Kowloon Byewash Reservoir, and Shek Lei Pui Reservoir. The park includes several hiking trails, notably sections of the Wilson Trail and the MacLehose Trail. The landscape consists of both mature woodland and grasslands surrounding the waterworks. The monkeys are highly acclimated to human presence due to historical feeding, which is now strictly prohibited.
The stone dam of the Kowloon Reservoir, which provides a vantage point over the water and surrounding forest.
Keep all food, drinks, and plastic bags hidden inside a backpack, as monkeys are adept at identifying and stealing food containers.
Avoid direct eye contact with the macaques, as this is interpreted as a sign of aggression.
Do not attempt to touch or feed the monkeys, as both actions are illegal under local wildlife protection laws.
Carrying food in plastic bags; the sound of crinkling plastic acts as a beacon for the monkeys.
Feeding wild animals is strictly prohibited and carries heavy fines. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and carry a walking stick for balance on uneven trails.
