Double Haven

{{Short description|Harbour within the New Territories of Hong Kong}} {{Use Hong Kong English|date=December 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}} [[File:Double Haven 1.jpg|250px|thumb|Double Haven viewed from Tiu Tang Lung]] '''Double Haven''' or '''Yan Chau Tong''' ({{zh|t=印洲塘}}) is a harbour enclosed by Double Island, Crescent Island and Crooked Island within the north-eastern New Territories of Hong Kong.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark|url=https://www.geopark.gov.hk/en_s4f9.htm|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.geopark.gov.hk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Designated Marine Parks and Marine Reserve|url=https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/cou_vis_mar_des/cou_vis_mar_des_yan.html|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.afcd.gov.hk|language=en}}</ref> It is known for its scenery and natural environment, and for the calm seas from which its English name derives. Double Haven contains many deep red coloured rocks because of iron oxide.

==Villages in Double Haven== * Lai Chi Wo ({{zh|t=荔枝窩|labels=no}}) * Sam A Tsuen ({{zh|t=三椏村|labels=no}}) * Kat O ({{zh|t=吉澳|labels=no}})

==Islands== Islands within Double Haven include: {{div col}} * Chap Mo Chau * Double Island (Wong Wan Chau) * Fu Wong Chau * Kat O (Crooked Island) * Ngo Mei Chau (Crescent Island) * Pak Ka Chau * Yan Chau {{div col end}}

==Conservation== Parts of the haven fall within Yan Chau Tong Marine Park ({{zh|t=印洲塘海岸公園|labels=no}}) to protect the wildlife of the marine creatures.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Plover Cove Country Park (Wu Kau Tang to Lai Chi Wo) {{!}} Hong Kong Tourism Board|url=https://www.discoverhongkong.com/in/see-do/great-outdoors/hikes/plover-cove-country-park.jsp|access-date=2020-06-24|website=www.discoverhongkong.com}}</ref>

Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park was designated in 1979 to protect the ecology of Double Haven. It also forms a major part of Hong Kong Global Geopark, Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region.The two main ecological features of this area are mangroves and seagrass beds, which are a nursery for marine life.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How to hike to Yan Chau Tong Marine Park (Double Haven)|url=https://www.localiiz.com/post/living-hiking-yan-chau-tong-marine-park-double-haven-hike|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Localiiz|language=en}}</ref>

The Double Haven Special Area ({{zh|t=印洲塘特別地區|labels=no}}) covers 0.8 hectare and was designated in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_lea/cp_sa.html| publisher=Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department |title=Country Parks & Special Areas}}</ref> It includes the islets Pak Ka Chau, Yan Chau (both within Double Haven) as well as the islet of Ap Lo Chun and a part of Ap Chau (both within Crooked Harbour).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr10-11/english/subleg/brief/137_brf.pdf |title=Double Haven and Others (Special Areas) Order 2010 |last= |first= |date=20 October 2010 |website= |publisher=Legislative Council of Hong Kong |access-date= |quote=}}</ref> The geology of the area is characterised by sedimentary rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201012/31/P201012310121.htm |title=Five geologically important sites designated as special areas |last= |first= |date=31 December 2010 |website= |publisher=Government of Hong Kong |access-date= |quote=}}</ref>

==Transportation== * A ferry service runs between Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier, which sails across Double Haven on Sunday and public holidays.{{fact|date=May 2017}} * A hiking route from Wu Kau Tang to Lai Chi Wo overlooks Double Haven.

==References== <references />

==External links== {{Commons category|Double Haven}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20100608211033/http://www.geopark.gov.hk/en_landforms1i.html Serene and picturesque marine park － Yan Chau Tong]

Category:Ports and harbours of Hong Kong Category:North District, Hong Kong Category:Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark