Volcano Discovery Centre opens (with photos)
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     The Volcano Discovery Centre of the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China was officially opened by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, today (July 15).

     Officiating at the opening ceremony, Mr Wong said that the Centre has adopted a people-oriented approach in the concept, design and operation. It is highly accessible, visitor-friendly and serves as a gateway linking visitors to the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China to help promote ecotourism.

     Conveniently located at Sai Kung Waterfront Park, the Centre is accessible to a wide range of public transport. It is an ideal point for embarking on an exploration of the Geopark.

     The 1 000-square-foot Centre showcases a 1:1-scale hexagonal exhibit to show the size of the rock formations. A range of rock specimens, with some collected locally and many others from other places around the world, are also on display. Visitors to the Centre can take a look at the huge columns before they depart for a visit to the marvellous Geopark. By observing the exhibits, they would also be able to better understand the geological background and uniqueness of Hong Kong's hexagonal columns. Hexagonal rock columns, which are a major feature of the Geopark, were produced by a series of violent volcanic eruptions in Sai Kung 140 million years ago.

     Mr Wong noted that the exhibits were designed according to the needs of the visitors. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department conducted a visitor survey to identify the information and geological knowledge that visitors would be interested in before commencing the design of the exhibits.

     The Centre offers trilingual counter services in Cantonese, Putonghua and English to assist local and overseas visitors, and offers comprehensive information to advise on the best ways to explore the Geopark.

     Open daily from 9.30am to 4.30pm throughout the year except on the first and second days of the Chinese New Year, the Centre offers a 45-minute guided tour once a day on weekdays and twice a day during weekends and public holidays. Admission to the Centre is free.

     For information about the Centre, please visit the Geopark website (www.geopark.gov.hk).

     Also officiating at the ceremony were the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Alan Wong; the Government Property Administrator, Mr Alan Siu Yu-bun; Bureau Member of the Global Geoparks Network Professor Nickolas Zouros; and representative of the Chinese Geoparks Network Professor Tian Mingzhong. Representatives of over 10 members of the Global Geoparks Network also attended the ceremony.

Ends/Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:13

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