Hong Kong Wetland Park will open to the public May 20, with an opening ceremony the day before, Commissioner for Tourism Au King-chi says.

The park is Hong Kong's first major ecotourism facility aimed at promoting green tourism, education on environmental protection and wetland conservation.

It includes a visitor centre of about 10,000 square metres with three major exhibition galleries and fabrication of exhibition items and an outdoor park of 60 hectares of habitats for wildlife.

Green tour: Hong Kong Wetland Park includes a visitor centre with exhibition galleries and a 60-hectare outdoor park packed with wildlife.

"This will be a world-class ecotourism facility with more than 500,000 visitors expected in the first year of operation. It will help position Hong Kong as the premier destination for family tourists in the region," Miss Au said.

There will be a soft opening in the second week of May to fine-tune all operations.

"We plan to invite various groups from the community to take part in the soft opening, including the Legislative Council, the Yuen Long District Council, advisory committees, local organisations and disadvantaged groups in Yuen Long, the travel trade, green groups and volunteers," she said. "We look forward to listening to their views on the park's operation."

It will open from 10am to 5pm on Mondays and Wednesdays to Sundays. It will close on Tuesdays (except public holidays). The admission fee is $30 for adults and $15 for children, students and senior citizens. For more information click here.