Today, we go to the first heritage trail in Hong Kong-Pin Shan Heritage Trail which is opened in 12 December. Ping Shan is one of the historial district in Hong Kong. Tang clan is the 5 big clans in the New Territories. The buildings and construction is in the good condition untill now. The heritage trail is about one kilometer, it meanders through Hang Mei Tsuen, Hang Tau Tsuen and Sheung Cheung Wai. Along the trail, there is the clear signpost for the visitor to easy to understand the way of the trail.Also, the is some exhibition boards show in the buildings, therefore visitors can easyily understand the tranditional real life of the residents. So, every year, the trail attract a lot of visitor to explor the history about Hong Kong and Tang clan. Also, it attracts the teachers and students to have a history leason in the Ping Shan.
Let's start the trip form the Tsui Shing Lau Pagoda. This is the only one of ancient pagoda in Hong Kong. According to the Tang pedigree, the pagoda is over 600 years. The site and the shape of the pagoda is designed because of FengShui. They aimed to protect the villagers and bless them get the honor in the public examination.
Sheung Cheung Wai is the houses of the Tang clan, it was over 200 years.
Yeung Hau Temple is one of the six temple which deity to the Hau Wong. However, nobody knows the actually time of building this temple, but we believe that it has over hundred years ago. The structure of the temple is simple, there is only 3 rooms, they are deity the Hau Wong, To Tei and Kam Fa respectively. In 2002, the temple has repair comprehensively.
Old well is next the Sheung Cheung Wai and Yeung Hau Temple. It build by the old Tang villagers. This is the major water source to the villiagers.
Shrine of the Earth God dedicated to To Tei Kung. The villagers believe it can protect them and they will use the stone to represent the god.
Yu Kiu Ancestral Hall is another hall of Tang clan. In the old days, apart from serving the hall as an ancestral hall, it is the hall for teaching the childern. In 2001, The hall was declared a monument.
Kun Ting Study Hall has two ways to use, first for teaching purpose, second for ancestral worship. As Tang clan villagers want more young people to get honor through the public examination, therefore, they build a lot of multi purpose hall for the villagers.
Hung Shing Temple was built by the Tang clan. Hung Shing is widely worshipped, particularly by fishermen and people whose livelihood depend largely on the sea.
Ching Shu Hin is next to the Kun Ting Study Hall, therefore, it is used as the guest room to welcome the guest.
At the end of the trail, there is the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitor Centre which is the old Ping Shan Police Station. In 2002, the government change it as a gallery and visitor centre to provide more information about Ping Shan to the visitors.
How to get there?
West Rail Line Tin Shui Wai StationOpening Hours:
Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda
Open daily 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed on Tuesdays, New Year's Day, the first three days of the Chinese New Year, Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Tang Ancestral Hall
Open daily 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed on the first three days of the Chinese New Year.
Yu Kiu Ancestral Hall
Open daily 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. & 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed on the first three days of the Chinese New Year
Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre
Open Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed on Mondays (except Public Holidays) and the first two days of the Chinese New Year
By Bonnie Ko