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After being closed for more than seven months for large-scale renovation, the Shing Mun Country Park Visitor Centre will reopen this Saturday (July 14) with a completely new look.
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said today (July 12) that the 220-square-metre visitor centre aims to give the public an overview of the history, geology and diversity of Shing Mun Country Park's habitat and wildlife, as well as promote nature conservation. The visitor centre has an exhibition gallery and an activity room.
The exhibition gallery is divided into four zones. The first zone introduces Shing Mun's history and changes over the past hundred years. Visitors will learn the origin of the name Shing Mun, and how the land has been transformed from rice and pineapple cultivation into a picturesque reservoir. The zone also shows a high-definition film featuring the diverse animal and plant species in Shing Mun Country Park.
The second zone covers three natural geographical regions at Shing Mun. Rock specimens found in Shing Mun Country Park and nearby areas are displayed. A newly installed holographic model introduces the mines in the vicinity of Needle Hill and their operations in the past. Visitors are welcome to take photos next to a transport vehicle loaded with ore and participate in interactive games.
Another holographic model in the third zone shows a key point of the Gin Drinker's Line during World War II - the Shing Mun Redoubt - which had a complicated system of tunnels, firing trenches and pillboxes. A somatosensory game creates a battlefield experience for the visitors.
The fourth zone shows the ecological environment and rich biodiversity of Shing Mun Country Park through multimedia games and display panels.
The visitor centre will provide site interpretation services and workshops on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
"We hope the visitor centre will raise public understanding of the history and wildlife of Shing Mun and enhance awareness of the importance of protecting our country parks," the spokesman said.
Admission to the visitor centre is free. The centre's opening hours are from 9.30am to 4.30pm every day except Tuesdays and the first two days of the Lunar New Year. For more information, please call 1823 or visit www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_lea/cou_lea_ven/shingmun.html.
Ends/Thursday, July 12, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:31
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