Lok Fu Service Reservoir Rest Garden
Transportation
There are two options for us to reach Square Hill. The first probably the best option is MTR. The second option is KMB Bus No. 7 (from Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier) where we need to land off "Lok Fu Place" bus stop. We will face two options for entrance. One is Junction Road Park entrance where the basketball court is located. Another option is the entrance to the temple. Then, we need to locate the stairs behind the temple to find the way up to Checkboard Hill or Lok Fu Service Reservoir Resting Area.
For students at Hong Kong Baptist University, a 10 minutes walk is needed to reach the entrance of Junction Road Park where the basketball is located. The route is pretty straight forward because you will find the entrances on Junction Road.
Direction
The route for us reaching Checkboard Hill or Lok Fu Service Reservoir Resting Area is pretty easy. There are two options available for us to work on. First, we need to choose between MTR Exit A or MTR Exit B.
From MTR Exit A, we need to walk straight. But, this route is possibly the worst choice as "human traffic" may spoil our day! Then we need to ignore Wang Tau Hom Road East ahead. The direction we are heading is the crossroad reaching the opposite side of the bus terminus. Once we find the crossroad, ignore it and keep walking on the footpath uphill on Wan Tau Hom Road South. If we can see the building of Hong Kong Housing Authority on the opposite road, we are in the right direction! Afterwards, we will see a car park beside us. Our task is taking up the first challenge of the exercise today and climb up the stairs in front of us. We will be on Junction Road. Very well then, two choices are available for us. If we turn left and cross the road, we will see a notice board ahead. If we turn right then cross the road, we will see Junction Road Park where the basketball court is located. We can actually reach our destination with two choices. It does not really matter. Visiting the temple behind the notice board could be a reward for the day! The temple option is a bit tricky as we will need to choose up or down. The answer is down because our way is to the temple. For the park option, we will turn left as we see a basketball court ahead.
The second option is MTR Exit B. Probably it is a bit easier. When we end up our walk inside MTR, we will see a terminus ahead. Ignore it and locate the entrance on our right. Then, the escalators will lead us to the 3rd floor (top floor) of the mall (Lok Fu Place). Keep walking until we can make a left turn to find McDonald's. After McDonald's, we will see a passage access to Junction Road. Very well then, two choices are available for us.
If we turn left and cross the road, we will see a notice board ahead. If we turn right then cross the road, we will see Junction Road Park where the basketball is located. We can actually reach our destination with two choices. It does not really matter. Visiting the temple behind the notice board could be a reward for the day! The temple option is a bit tricky as we will need to choose up or down. The answer is down because our way is to the temple.
For the park option, we will turn right as we see a basketball court ahead. Ignore the basketball court and we will see a pathway leading up to the hill. After an uphill battle, we will see a division. Left to the grassland and right to Checkboard Hill. When we want to find the platform Square Hill offers, we just need to stick with the path over viewing Nine Dragon (Kowloon) and we won't get lost. I do not suggest going to the place under wet conditions. Be careful of each step as the way to Square Hill is dangerous and interesting! We need to bare our own risk whether going there or not except the reservoir.
One thing to mention here is that when we walk downhill, we will find a staircase (not the pavilion one) leading down to somewhere. Interesting to note that it is a way to the Temple of Goddess of Sea (Tin Hau Temple). So, we won't miss the temple though we did not choose the temple option. There is always a second chance!
The second entrance
Lok Fu Service Reservoir Resting Area or Square Hill
A secret path to Square Hill
Expectation
Actually, not much sightseeing on Checkboard Hill or Lok Fu Service Reservoir Resting Area. Square Hill is a little adventure for locals and students from Hong Kong Baptist University plus other people who are interested. Lok Fu Service Reservoir Resting Area is a place for breathing some fresh air as it has a large grassland for locals and students from Hong Kong Baptist University.
I did not climb up to Square Hill when I was a child. The childhood memory Checkboard Hill gave me are the squares (red and white) and a short signal tower. It was used to give signals to airplanes as Kai Tak Airport in the area. I guess the stuff that I mentioned do not exist anymore. In each year, we celebrated Mid-Autum Festival at Small Kowloon Park (Kowloon Tsai Park) by burning candles and playing with paper lanterns. I always see Checkboard Hill and so wanted to go there because I thought some mystery happened there (of course not!). Anyway, I should not tell you because it sounds really silly. Never mind.
Eating
Even though this hiking is a small exercise, it is better to bring some food and drinks especially it is easier to catch Heat Stroke in the summertime of Hong Kong. The best location to grab some food and drinks is Lok Fu Place which is just situated opposite to Junction Road Park entrance where the basketball court is. If you want to grab some special snacks, the best option is Lok Fu Market which is on the ground floor and Wan Tau Hom South Road. Eating place is also available at Hong Kong Baptist University. If you are still not satisfied with the choices available, you may go to Food+ which is just opposite to the bus terminals on Wan Tau Hom East Road.
