Robin's Nest yields hidden gems

Exploring the depths of Robin’s Nest Country Park, nestled in the northeastern New Territories, hiking the Lin Ma Hang trail and ascending over 900 stairs reveals a hidden gem - Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine, an remnant of the once-thriving local mining community.

Hiking network: Robin’s Nest Country Park features two scenic hiking trails that connect Lin Ma Hang Village in the west to Shan Tsui of Sha Tau Kok in the east. Source from news.gov.hk

Mining history 

The site served as one of Hong Kong’s natural mineral reserves with significant economic value, housing the largest lead mine known for producing galena, sphalerite and silver. Its history dates back to the 19th Century.

“In 1925, the Government issued a mining lease. Mining activities peaked from 1936 to 1939, with approximately 2,000 workers labouring round the clock. During World War II, the mine was taken by Japanese forces. By the late 1950s, the mine eventually ceased operation due to various reasons, including the drop in the international lead prices,” explained Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department Country Parks Ranger Services Officer (North-West) Felix Chan.

After a year-long revitalisation project jointly conducted by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Civil Engineering & Development Department (CEDD), the mine has been transformed into an open museum, which was opened to the public last December.

The revamp included stabilising the roof of the main cave with rock dowels and grouting, and reinforcing rock pillars with concrete buttresses disguised as artificial rock to seamlessly integrate with the natural landscape. Rock wire mesh has been installed to prevent loose and small rocks from falling.

Joint effort: Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department Country Parks Officer (North) Charlie Shue says the department has joined forces with its counterparts in Shenzhen to strengthen conservation efforts along the Wutong Mountain-Robin’s Nest Ecological Corridor. Source from news.gov.hk

Bat ecology 

The mine comprises five levels and tunnels stretching over 2,100m in length, although access to most of these areas is restricted. Fences have been set up not only to prohibit visitors from accidentally entering but also to protect the sanctuary for bats.

Following its abandonment, the dark and humid environment of the deserted caves and intricate networks of the mine’s galleries have made it an ideal habitat for bats, turning the mine into an important bat roosting site in Hong Kong.

The area was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1994.

“Now, we have already recorded 10 species of bat here, accounting for around 40% of what we have recorded in Hong Kong. This includes the Lesser Bent-winged Bat and the Chinese Horseshoe Bat,” said Mr Chan.

He also reminded visitors to lower their voices and avoid using bright lights when venturing into the mine.

Bat sanctuary: The mine has become an important bat roosting site in Hong Kong since its abandonment. Fences have been set up to prohibit entry to the tunnels to protect the bats. Source from news.gov.hk

Joint effort 

Mr Chan added that the mine, as the first collaboration between the AFCD and CEDD, serves as a reference for similar types of revitalisation projects in country parks in the future.

Robin’s Nest Country Park, where the mine is located, is the 25th country park in Hong Kong, measuring about 530 hectares. It lies on mountain ridges stretching from the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain Scenic Area to the north and Hong Kong’s Pat Sin Leng Country Park to the south.

Established last March, Robin's Nest Country Park features two scenic hiking trails that connect Lin Ma Hang Village in the west to Shan Tsui of Sha Tau Kok in the east. It normally takes four to five hours to finish walking the two country trails.

The two trails encompass multiple attractions, including the MacIntosh Forts, a Grade 2 historic building as well as war relics such as pillboxes and trenches, and the Robin's Nest viewing point which overlooks Starling Inlet.

In addition, part of Robin’s Nest Country Park was previously within the frontier closed area. With minimal disturbance from human activities, it has rich biodiversity, including species of conservation value such as the Chinese Grassbird, Red Azalea and Chinese New Year Flower.

Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department Country Parks Officer (North), Charlie Shue pointed out that Robin’s Nest Country Park boasts rich biodiversity with elements of human history, making it a crucial part of the Northern Metropolis' Blue and Green Recreation, Tourism and Conservation Circle - comprising areas endowed with rich cultural heritage and natural resources.

The department has also teamed up with the Tourism Commission to promote the country park under the “Design District Hong Kong” initiative’s activities in Sha Tau Kok.

Special heritage: Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department Country Parks Ranger Services Officer (North-West) Felix Chan says the Lin Ma Hang Mine was one of the most extensive mining systems in Hong Kong, dating back to the 19th Century. Source from news.gov.hk

Rich biodiversity 

The mountain ridges of Robin’s Nest interlink with the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain, forming an ecological corridor, Mr Shue noted, adding that the AFCD has joined forces with its counterparts in Shenzhen across various sectors to consolidate resources and strengthen conservation efforts.

The AFCD has worked closely with the Planning & Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality to formulate the joint work programme for the Wutong Mountain-Robin’s Nest Ecological Corridor.

Both sides signed the Cooperative Framework Agreement for the Enhancement of Wutong Mountain (Shenzhen) – Robin's Nest (Hong Kong) Ecological Corridor last August.

The initial plan is to establish an ecological data exchange platform, conduct biodiversity monitoring at both sites, remove invasive species, exchange experiences in nature education, and explore ways to improve the ecological connectivity for animals, with the aim of promoting ecological integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior was sent off with a direct red card for pulling the hair of a Villarreal player in their La Liga game on Saturday.

Vinícius was celebrating after scoring for Madrid when referee Isidro Díaz de Mera was called by the video assistant to review the moments before his goal.

The referee waived off the goal and pulled out a red card for Vinícius for having tugged hard on the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba when they were sprinting down the field.

Madrid hung on for a 1-0 victory despite playing with 10 men from the 73rd minute.

Vinícius asked for forgiveness from his team and fans on social media, without mentioning Saliba.

“Sorry to my team and my fans,” Vinícius wrote on Instagram in Spanish.

Vinícius had gone on as a second-half substitute shortly before Yan Diamonde put Madrid ahead. When he thought Vinícius had doubled the lead, Madrid manager Jose Mourinho ran to join the celebrations with his players.

But moments later Vinícius was left livid by the referee's decision. He screamed at Díaz de Mera while his teammates tried to calm him down as he left the field.

“I don’t think he meant to hurt anyone but it is a red card,” Villarreal defender Juan Foyth said about the hair yank of Saliba.

Díaz de Mera wrote in his match report that after being shown the red card Vinícius “protested my decision, raising his voice, toward where I was standing in an aggressive manner, and being held back by teammates."

Madrid visits Barcelona in two rounds. So he could potentially miss the clasico if the disciplinary commission adds to a mandatory one-game suspension.

Mourinho did not appear at the mandatory post-game press conference.

Vinícius also became one of the leading voices against racism in Spain after he was repeatedly targeted by racist slurs by opposing fans during away games.

But he has also earned the reputation of a player who goads and trash talks opposing players, sometimes to the point where he could lose focus on the game, an attitude which sometimes tested the patience of his coaches.

Diomande broke through for Madrid just when Villarreal was also pressing for goal, scoring in the 62nd minute.

The 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger has been under pressure to prove he is worth the reported 125 million euros ($146 million) Madrid paid Leipzig in August. Mourinho has asked fans to be patient with the young player.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Villarreal in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, right, leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Villarreal in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho reacts during the La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Villarreal in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Real Madrid's head coach Jose Mourinho argues with a referee during the La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Villarreal in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)