Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in Hong Kong

Do you know that the Kadoorie Farm in Hong Kong is not only a farm?

“Not only” a farm? Then what else could it be? An arsenal?

The farm’s full name is Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFGB for short). It’s not just a farm because it was originally a programme aimed to subsidize farmers in Hong Kong.  Founded by the Kadoorie brothers (Lawrence Kadoorie and Horace Kadoorie) in 1950s, the farm / association helped the local farmers by providing advance agricultural technologies and interest-free loans.

The farm locates on the slope of Hong Kong’s highest mountain, Tai Mo Shan.

Yes, it’s on a steep slope. Lots of people thought the hills in Hong Kong were too steep and humid to plant anything. What’s ironic is that seeing how mandarin trees grew on the steep slopes inspired set up of the farm.

And you would have thought the decline of farming industry in Hong Kong would lead to the fall of the farm, right?

Not really, that’s why I told you it’s not only a farm. KFGB also promotes tree plantings, improving wildlife habitats and encourage people to cherish the beauty of nature. It is one of the more important roles for environmental preservation in Hong Kong.

But don’t let these “save the planet” visions scare you, KFGB is actually a family-friendly place to visit! You can find lots of interesting animals in the farm, like wild boars, barking deers, leopard cats, flamingos and even the rare ones like Hong Kong paradise fish and Romer’s Tree Frog. Birds, reptiles, insects…you name it, and they will (probably) have it.

You can visit the greenhouses and vegetable gardens to see those beautifully-planted flowers and crops. If you really love them that much, you can buy them from the shop there. Don’t worry, they are organic and chemical free! Eating them (I don’t mean the flowers) or planting them yourself is a good way to appreciate the beauty of nature, no?

If the history lesson above does not quench your thirst for knowledge, you can visit the Farm Museum to learn more about the farm and what farming was like in the past.

So you are a civilized gentleman / lady who feel the importance to pay respect to the founders of the farm? Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion is waiting for you! It’s near the top, and is a good place to enjoy the great view of Deep Bay as well.

I remember visiting this place once. It was a school picnic.

There is one thing which could be disturbing though: the smell.

I mean, imagine, with all those wild animals and all the manure there, you are bound to “smell the nature”…