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Tai Tam Tuk Dam

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Tai Tam Tuk Dam (Hong Kong SAR China)

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The Tai Tam Tuk Dam is a magnificent example of colonial-era British engineering, located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island. Completed in 1918, it marked the culmination of the Tai Tam Scheme, a massive undertaking designed to secure a reliable water supply for the territory's rapidly growing population. The dam is renowned for its grand granite-faced masonry, featuring impressive buttresses and twelve arches that give it a stately appearance. Uniquely, the public road runs directly along the top of the dam wall, providing travelers with a dramatic view of the reservoir on one side and the valley below on the other. In 2009, the dam was designated as a statutory monument, honoring its historical significance and technical excellence. Today, it remains a focal point for visitors exploring the Tai Tam Country Park, where industrial heritage meets lush, subtropical nature.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Nov, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C171820232628292928262319
Rain mm403185112247294216253195693226

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The dam is an engineering structure that can be viewed from outside. There are no indoor areas; the dam itself is not walkable, but the surrounding park is accessible.
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Typical hours
Tai Tam Country Park is usually open from morning to evening. The dam can be viewed anytime within park hours.
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Photography
Photography is allowed throughout the park and from the dam. Shots of the water surface and surrounding hills are especially beautiful.
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Time needed
Allow about 30-45 minutes for a dam visit and a short park walk. Hikers can spend several hours.
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Combine with
Combine the dam with a hike along the Tai Tam Reservoirs. The Hong Kong Trail also passes nearby.
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Getting there
Reach the dam by bus (line 6 or 66) to Tai Tam Road stop. From there, about a 15-minute walk.
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Insider tip
Visit the dam early in the morning when the air is clear and birdlife is active. Bring binoculars for the views.

Geography

Coordinates
22.23500, 114.21830

Facts

  • The dam was built between 1912 and 1917.
  • It is 122 meters long and 28 meters high.
  • The reservoir has a capacity of 2.5 million cubic meters.
  • The dam consists of 10,000 granite blocks.
  • Construction cost was 2.5 million HKD.
  • The dam is part of the Tai Tam Reservoir, built in 1888.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Tai Tam Tuk ReservoirTai Tam Tuk Reservoir<1 km · SEExplore →
Mount ParkerMount Parker1 km · WExplore →
Shek O Country ParkShek O Country Park2 km · NExplore →
Mount ButlerMount Butler2 km · SWExplore →
Lei Yue Mun FortLei Yue Mun Fort3 km · NWExplore →
Kwun Tong PromenadeKwun Tong Promenade4 km · WExplore →
Shek OShek O4 km · NExplore →
Tung Lin Kok YuenTung Lin Kok Yuen4 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Tai Tam Tuk Dam (10)

Kwai Shan

Hill in Hong Kong, part of the Tai Tam landscape.

Turtle Cove Beach

Beach on Hong Kong Island, suitable for swimming.

Palm Villa's ruins

Ruins of a former villa in Tai Tam, Hong Kong.

Bruce Lee's filming location

Viewpoint in Hong Kong where Bruce Lee shot scenes.

Lo Fu Shan

Hill in Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, with hiking trails.

Turtle Cove

Bay in the People's Republic of China, on the Hong Kong coast.

Tai Tam Bay Pillbox

Ruins of a WWII bunker in Tai Tam, Hong Kong.

Cheung Lin Shan

Hill in Hong Kong, near Tai Tam.

Tai Tam Harbour

Natural harbour in Hong Kong, sheltered location.

Tai Tam Harbour (Inner Bay) SSSI

Nature reserve in Hong Kong protecting the inner bay of Tai Tam Harbour.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why is the dam famous?
It is considered an engineering masterpiece of its time, the 'Great Dam of the East'.
Can you walk across the dam?
Yes, there is a walkway, and a road also runs directly across it.
What can you see from the dam?
A great view of the reservoir and the sea.
Is it part of a hiking trail?
Yes, it is on the Tai Tam Waterworks Heritage Trail.
When was it built?
It was completed between 1912 and 1917.
Tai Tam Tuk Dam: where is it located?
Tai Tam Tuk Dam is located in Hong Kong SAR China.
Tai Tam Tuk Dam: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kwai Shan, Turtle Cove Beach, Palm Villa's ruins.
Tai Tam Tuk Dam: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Nov, Dec.
Tai Tam Tuk Dam: why is it worth visiting?
The Tai Tam Tuk Dam is a magnificent example of colonial-era British engineering, located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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