Embark on a Family Eco-Tour at the Ngong Ping 360 Summer Butterfly Fest - Integrating the Arts and Butterfly Watching

Environmental Expert: Cable Car Routing Design Supports Butterfly Diversity in a Special Geographical Area that Nurtures Rare Butterflies

Hong Kong, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As an important tourist attraction in Hong Kong, Ngong Ping 360 is located on Lantau Island, where natural resources are rich and 40% of local butterfly species can be found. From now until 31 August, Ngong Ping 360 is presenting the Ngong Ping 360 Summer Butterfly Fest, during which families can experience nature while learning about butterfly conservation and enhancing their environmental awareness. Apart from exploring the local ecology and natural environment, guests can take photos among the butterfly-themed decorations at Ngong Ping Village, enjoy a butterfly dance performance, enter the Ngong Ping Wildlife Photo Contest and take part in the Inclusive Butterfly Art Workshop as part of an interesting and educational summer tour.

From now until 31 August, Ngong Ping 360 is presenting the Ngong Ping 360 Summer Butterfly Fest. Apart from the six butterfly-themed decorations, Ngong Ping 360 also invited the Environmental Association and the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong to organise different family activities, including Ngong Ping Family Wildlife Photo Contest cum Workshop and Inclusive Butterfly Art Workshop, during which families can learn about butterfly conservation as well as having more parent-child interaction.

Environmental expert: eco-conservation taken into consideration when designing cable car route

Ms Vivian Lee, Head of Marketing of Ngong Ping 360, said that "Lantau Island has picturesque landscapes and is home to over 100 butterfly species. As the gateway to Lantau, Ngong Ping 360 hopes to introduce the wonder of art and nature to visitors through this summer campaign. We would also like visitors to understand the ecology of Lantau so that they may treasure the natural environment even more".

To help guests understand the importance of eco-conservation, Ngong Ping 360 invited the Environmental Association to organise a butterfly tour during summer holiday. Dr Yau Wing Kwong, CEO of the Environmental Association, explained the ecology of butterflies at Ngong Ping: "last winter, the cold weather came and went late, and the life cycle of the animals and plants was disrupted, making it difficult for insects such as butterflies to find food and habitation. Climate change has a strong impact on both plants and animals. The tree shade, low shrubs and sun-facing slopes at Ngong Ping are suitable habitats for butterflies, including rare species such as the Tamil Grass Dart (Taractrocera ceramas), Striped Bush Hopper (Ampittia virgata) and Large Three-ring (Ypthima motschulskyi), also known as the "three treasures of Ngong Ping". Learning about butterfly ecology, such as suitable habitats, food plants for butterfly larvae and nectar plants for butterflies, facilitates butterfly observation, and is a way to promote eco-conservation and safeguard butterfly species". Dr Yau added that while designing the cable car route, Ngong Ping 360 adopted an indirect cable car routing design to protect the ecology and environment in the vicinity of Tung Chung Bay, creating favourable conditions for butterfly diversity. For example, Cyrtococcum patens, Ischaemum aristatum and Miscanthus floridulus are plants that grow on the slopes. Ngong Ping 360 adopted a construction method that protects the environment to ensure the butterfly ecology was protected. The design of the cable car route kept the butterfly ecology in good condition so that visitors can still see the precious native fauna and flora at Ngong Ping 360.

Learning photography on a fun family outing on a specially designed butterfly route, and understanding butterflies through butterfly art workshop

Lantau Island is home to many rare butterfly species, including the Tamil Grass Dart (Taractrocera ceramas), Striped Bush Hopper (Ampittia virgata), Large Three-ring (Ypthima motschulskyi), Common Birdwing (Troides helena) and Chestnut Tiger (Parantica sita). The first three of these species are also known as the "three treasures of Ngong Ping". To capture the beauty of these butterflies, you may consider using a camera. Ngong Ping 360 has invited Mr Eddie Kwong, an award-winning wildlife photographer, to conduct a photography workshop with his son. Together they will teach parents and children how to take photos of butterflies. Parents and children will also be able to join the guided tour led by Eddie and his son, during which they will look for butterflies while enjoying a fun family outing along a specially designed butterfly route. What is more, participants will be able to enter the photos they take during the tour in the Ngong Ping Wildlife Photo Contest to compete for grand prize. Stay tuned to the Ngong Ping 360 Facebook page for enrolment details. Selected participants* will enjoy a free cable car ride on the day of the photography workshop. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to enter the photo contest for a chance to win a family photo-shoot package with Eddie as the photographer, worth HK$10,000.

To promote harmonious co-existence with nature and encourage the integration of able-bodied and disabled persons, Ngong Ping 360 has invited Ms Apple Tong, ADA Angel from the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, to create an environmentally friendly butterfly-themed art installation, "Butterfly Flute 360", with upcycling materials such as out-dated Ngong Ping 360 flyers and old magazines. Although Apple was diagnosed with a congenital hearing impairment at one year old, her disability has not diminished either her passion or her talent for art. She even created an art piece with a group of children from Silence, a charity for hearing impaired families. Apple said that "the art piece was made by rolling discarded flyers into bamboo flutes. The circle formed by the bamboo flutes represents an inclusive community circle in which people support and encourage each other. The colourful butterflies hovering around the bamboo flutes symbolise butterflies breaking out of cocoons and starting a beautiful new life. The shapes and forms of the butterflies mimic those of the "three treasures of Ngong Ping", reflecting the unique natural environment of Ngong Ping. The art piece will be on show at Holidays 360 at Ngong Ping Village in August to promote the integration of able-bodied and disabled persons. Apple will also teach an Inclusive Butterfly Art Workshop, in which children will be able to learn how to draw butterflies with dry pastels or other materials, and get to know the different shapes and forms of butterflies.

Six butterfly-themed decorations and three daily butterfly dance performances

Apart from the butterfly-themed art installation, six butterfly-themed decorations have been set up at Ngong Ping Village, including a large art installation, "Flower and Butterfly Dream", a corridor with butterflies dancing overhead, 2D and 3D butterfly walls, a butterfly pavilion and six art installations depicting the ecological and human landscapes of Ngong Ping. Adults and children can immerse themselves in the world of butterflies and take some great pictures while exploring the local ecology. During the event period, there will be three butterfly dance performances every day at Ngong Ping Village, making your summer tour even more memorable!

Summer offer

From now until 31 August, local students can enjoy a 50% discount on a single or round-trip cable car ticket (Standard Cabin/Crystal Cabin), upon presentation of a valid local student card or proof of student identity with photo. Enjoy one of the 10 most amazing cable car experiences in the world, and fall in love with the spectacular natural scenery along the cable car route. Book the Fun Pass online to enjoy 10% off and an exclusive free upgrade to the Crystal Cabin for one way of your round-trip cable car ride.

Appendix I: Ngong Ping 360 Summer Butterfly Fest Programme

Ngong Ping Family Wildlife Photo Contest cum Workshop

Ngong Ping 360 has invited Mr Eddie Kwong, an award-winning wildlife photographer, to conduct a photography workshop with his son. Together they will teach parents and children how to take photos of butterflies. Parents and children can also join the guided tour led by Eddie and his son, during which they will be able to look for butterflies while enjoying a fun family outing along a butterfly walk specially designed for families. What is more, participants will be able to enter their photos in the Ngong Ping Wildlife Photo Contest to compete for grand prize. Stay tuned to the Ngong Ping 360 Facebook page for enrolment details. Leave a comment to tell us why you want to explore the butterflies and ecology at Ngong Ping 360 and learn photography with your child, and then indicate your available dates. The most creative answers with the most "likes" will be selected. Selected participants* will enjoy a free cable car ride (adult and child) on the day of the photography workshop. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to enter the photo contest for a chance to win a family photo-shoot package with Eddie as the photographer, worth HK$10,000.

*Participants entering the photo contest must use a mirrorless or digital single-lens reflex camera. A macro or medium to long lens is recommended. Participating children should be aged six or above.

Date: 14 and 21 August

About PR Newswire PR Newswire is the premier global provider of news release distribution and multimedia platforms that enable marketers, public relations officers and investor relations professionals to engage with their key audiences: businesses and consumers, the media, and investors.