Amah Rock

Sometimes Hong Kong's reach exceeds its grasp, and there are few better examples than nominating Amah Rock as a finalist in a contest for the seven natural wonders of the world.

View large image Amah Rock is located in the Lion Rock Country Park overlooking Sha Tin in the New Territories. Measuring 15 metres in height, the rock is so named because "it is said to resemble a woman carrying a baby on her back". In Cantonese it is called mohng fu sehk (also written as mong fu shek 望夫石), literally "watch husband rock", which tells a sad story with a happy ending.

... the faithful wife of a fisherman climbed the hills every day, carrying her son, to watch for the return of her husband, not knowing he had been drowned at sea. In reward for her faithfulness she was turned into a rock by the Goddess of the Sea so that her spirit could unite with that of her husband.

And it's not the only one: mainland China is loaded with similar stone formations of the same name.

So even though it looks neat and comes complete with a myth, it can't compete with the likes of Mount Everest or the Grand Canyon. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't make a hike up to see Amah Rock; from there you can view the whole of Sha Tin.

You may not see a woman with a baby on her back, but it is certain you'll meet plenty of ladies with backpacks.

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