Ma On Shan (peak)
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| Ma On Shan | |
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  Ma On Shan Location of Ma On Shan in Hong Kong | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 702 m (2,303 ft) Hong Kong Principal Datum  |
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 The saddle of Ma On Shan is clearly seen in the background. | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 馬鞍山 | ||||||||||
| Literal meaning | saddle ridge | ||||||||||
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Ma On Shan (Chinese: 馬鞍山) is saddle-shaped peak in east of Tolo Harbour in the New Territories of Hong Kong. With a peak of 702 metres (2,303 ft), it stands among the ten highest mountains in Hong Kong. The mountain borders Sha Tin and Tai Po districts.
Iron ore was mined here in the past. An extensive network of tunnels is buried under the hill. The iron mine was abandoned after losing advantages over other less expensive sources.[citation needed]
Beneath the west face of the hill along Tolo Harbour, a new town extension, Ma On Shan, of Sha Tin New Town is named after the hill. It ends north in Wu Kai Sha.
A group of villages located east of the hill is named Shap Sze Heung and the harbour of Three Fathoms Cove.
Geography
Ma On Shan is located by the west face of the twin peaks of Ma On Shan, which can be translated as "horse saddle mountain". Nine streams flow around the Ma On Shan, with the biggest stream located at the Southwest slope of Ma On Shan, where Ma On Shan Village is also located.
Vegetation
The North Slope of Ma On Shan is mostly covered in trees, while the south slope is mostly covered in shrubs and grasses. Three species of native Rhododendron has been recorded along the slope, including Rhododendron simsii, which blooms with red flowers in late March. Rare and protected species of plants also grow on Ma On Shan including the Chinese Lily (Lilium brownii) which grows on Ma On Shan's east facing slope.
A few types of wild Orchids also grow in the streams of Ma On Shan including Hong Kong's most common orchid, the Bamboo Orchid, so called because of a distinct stem that looks like bamboo.
See also
- List of mountains, peaks and hills in Hong Kong
- Ma On Shan (town) - new town development to the northern side of the peak
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