The Countryside Conservation Office (CCO) was established in July 2018, to promote sustainable development in remote countryside areas. As the CCO enters its seventh year, it has been collaborating with non-profit-making organisations, villagers, and the public, actively exploring strategies and actions to conserve Hong Kong’s countryside areas, aiming to achieve a vision of urban-rural symbiosis.
Our work focuses on minor improvement works and the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS). The former enhances infrastructure in remote countryside areas to improve accessibility, while the latter supports collaboration between local non-profitmaking organisations and villagers to promote diverse and innovative conservation activities through funding.
The “Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po ‘Sound-Sight-Taste Fusion’ Tour” organised by the CCO is a celebration that integrates village cultural characteristics, promoting an in-depth tourism experience, creating economic benefits, and fostering urban-rural symbiosis. Connecting the natural ecology, historic buildings, and cultural charm of Kuk Po Village, it leads you on a journey filled with “Sound-Sight-Taste”. Amidst the mangroves, reed beds, and cultural premises, you can feel the greenery of the mountains, the vast blue skies and seas, listen to the sounds of the wind, savour the beautiful journey, and experience the unique festive atmosphere of the Hakka village.
We sincerely thank all supporting organisations and government departments for their support and eagerly look forward to sharing the mega event in Kuk Po with you!
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鄉郊保育
Countryside Conservation HK
countrysideconservationhk
鄉郊豐年節故事 Discover the Story of Countryside Harvest Festival
Every inch of land and every tree in Kuk Po holds the stories of our villagers. Seeing new faces appear in our village always fills me with immense joy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the revitalisation of Kuk Po, including our villagers, the Countryside Conservation Office and the partnering universities. It is through your involvement that the story of Kuk Po can continue to unfold.
Step into a place where nature meets culture! The Countryside Harvest Festival invites you to explore Hong Kong’s hidden treasures in the countryside. Start your journey at Kuk Po Village in Sha Tau Kok, where you can experience an enchanting “Sound - SightTaste” fusion tour by blending nature and art amidst the mangrove, reedbed and built heritage.
Using music, art and food as the medium, the festival will link up the natural ecology, rural historical buildings and customs to promote a fresh in-depth eco-tourism, bring tourists and the public together to explore the healing power of nature through immersive day and night rural experiences.
Festival highlights include the captivating “Countryside Melodies Outdoor Concert at Kuk Po” featuring Gordon Lee, the World Harmonica Festival champion, Vincent Liauw, an internationally renowned musician, and Malaysian singer Karen Kong. “Performance into the Wild” brings the stories of the countryside to life, while the Luminescence Unicorn Performance and Parade lights up the night with vibrant symbols of peace and harmony.
We have also joined hands with artists from all over the world to organise “The Kuk Po Art Exhibition – Find the Lights,” showcasing over 20 stunning light art installations, creating a dazzling world of illumination. Meanwhile, the “A Stroll through Kuk Po: The Beauty of Return” Photo Exhibition featuring works by renowned photographers such as Changlin Fashi, Kelvin Yuen, Alfred Ko, and Man Lim-chung, invites visitors to explore the story of ‘Back’ to Kuk Po from their unique perspectives.
Join us and gather in Kuk Po to celebrate the year of harvest!
谷埔村代表李木星之言
Message from Lee Muk-sing, Village Representative of Kuk Po
Kuk Po is home to unique natural beauty and built heritage. Its peaceful scenery brings calm and joy to everyone who visits. This village shows that Hong Kong is not just a bustling city but also home to lovely countryside. I invite you to find your own moments of serenity and joy here in Kuk Po, just as I have.
The PolyU team came to Kuk Po Village in November 2021 to put their concepts of community building into practice. From knowing only two village heads to becoming part of the village, they collected oral histories from over 40 villagers and gathered more than a hundred photos taken in the 50s to 90s from local or overseas villagers through the funding support from the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS). Using texts and images, they also published Kuk Post!, the community magazine, and curated two exhibitions and events to keep the hundred-year-old history alive and tell the stories of Kuk Po to Hong Kong and the world. Team members include: Michael Chan, Sam Fu, Dara Yip, Mahpee Ng, Yuen Chi Yan, Ada Chan, Kagn Ho and Navin Wong.
The Beginning : Kuk Po Art Exhibition – Find the Lights
As night falls, Hong Kong blazes with vibrant lights, yet Kuk Po remains a secluded valley, plunged in darkness. In 1994, the disappearance of the Kaito ferry services led to depopulation and the extinguishing of its lights, leaving only desolation and darkness, under a sparsely starred sky.
The loss of people, with villagers moving elsewhere, resulted in a loss of community warmth; society became oblivious to the village’s transformation. With the departure of people and the dimming of lights, the PolyU Kuk Po team leveraged light art, employing innovative lighting installations to narrate the interplay of tradition and modernity. This initiative aims to attract visitors, retain villagers, restore human warmth, and foster village pride in its land. Furthermore, the PolyU team has invited renowned artists to create light art installations, drawing inspiration from Kuk Po’s history and incorporating the themes of “mountain, sea, and light”.
From unseen, to seen, to remembered. Where there is light, there are people. People remember Kuk Po, appreciating its art and starry nights; villagers remember their homeland, reaffirming their pride in its beauty. 了解更多 Know More!
kukpogettogether kukpogettogether
活動時間表
活動時間表
18/1 節目總覽 Event Timetable Programme Overview
12:00 18/1
全谷埔 Kuk Po
Event Timetable Programme Overview
谷埔藝術展覽 看見 Kuk Po Art Exhibition – Find the Lights
藝術展品亮燈 Art Installations Light-up
夜光麒麟巡遊 Luminescence Unicorn Parade
堤壩
Dam
海下
Hoi Ha
田心
Tin Sum
谷埔走一回」攝影展
“A Stroll through Kuk Po: The Beauty of Return” Photo Exhibition
鄉郊樂韻
音樂會 (小組合奏)
Countryside Melodies Concert (Team)
Performance into the Wild
田心李氏大宅復育展覽
LEEʼs Mansion Revitalisation Exhibition
Good Day Market 新圍 San Wai 豐年農集
啟才學校
何氏農具古物收藏屋
HOʼs Collections of Agricultural Tools & Objects
鄉郊樂韻
音樂會 (小組合奏)
Countryside Melodies Concert (Team)
谷埔聲色味之旅亮燈開幕禮 Light-up Opening Ceremony
Kai Choi School 10:30 - 17:00 16:00 - 17:30
Kai Choi School Exhibition “Art Kuk Po”
鄉郊樂韻音樂會(大合奏) Countryside Melodies Concert (Group)
夜光麒麟表演 Luminescence Unicorn Performance
Lo Wai Community Garden – Demonstration of Micro-renewal Restoration Experiment 老圍 Lo Wai 老圍社區花園
Ng
YEUNGʼs Mansion Revitalisation Exhibition in Ng To
19, 25, 26/1 節目總覽 Programme Overview
19,25,26/1 節目總覽 Programme Overview
全谷埔 Kuk Po
谷埔藝術展覽 看見 Kuk Po Art Exhibition – Find the Lights
堤壩 Dam
海下
Hoi Ha
田心
Tin Sum
“A Stroll through Kuk Po: The Beauty of Return” Photo Exhibition
鄉郊樂韻
音樂會 (小組合奏)
Countryside Melodies Concert (Team)
原野劇場
Performance into the Wild 19/1 14:00 - 16:00 25/1、26/1 14:00 - 15:30
田心李氏大宅復育展覽
Mansion Revitalisation Exhibition
Good Day Market 新圍
啟才學校
Kai Choi School
啟才學校藝術展覽
鄉郊樂韻音樂會 (大合奏) 10:30 - 17:00
Kai Choi School Exhibition “Art Kuk Po”
藝術展品亮燈 Art Installations Light-up
夜光麒麟巡遊 Luminescence Unicorn Parade
26/1 18:00-19:00
Countryside Melodies Concert (Group)
Drinking in the Moonlight 月下獨酌 賞茶工作坊 Moonlight Storyteller - Screening Session
何氏農具古物收藏屋
HOʼs Collections of Agricultural Tools & Objects
鄉郊樂韻
音樂會 (小組合奏)
Countryside Melodies Concert (Team)
Glow in the Dark - Ball Games
活動地圖 Event Map
谷埔碼頭
Kuk Po Pier
松記士多
Chung Kee Store
百年炮樓
Watchtower
谷埔水堂
Kuk Po ADOL
何氏大宅
HO’s Mansion
何氏農具古物收藏屋
HO’s Collections of Agricultural Tools & Objects
李氏大宅
LEE’s Mansion
老圍社區花園
Lo Wai Community Garden
谷埔五肚跨學科教研基地
Kuk Po Multi-disciplinary
Education Research Base
啟才學校
Kai Choi School
堤壩 Dam
洗手間
Toilet
Store / Restaurant
詢問處
士多/餐廳 Information Centre
急救站
First Aid Station
Art-Installations 展覽 Exhibitions
谷埔之民──故事路牌
The People of Kuk Po
《重塑萬家》
Homeland Revive
《微型水裝置》
Mini Water Intervention
夜光麒麟
Luminescence Unicorn
《織夕》
Weaving Twilight
《思念在半空》
MiSS YOU iN THE AiR
《與自然流動》
Flow with Nature
《植光》
Sowing Light
《水筆仔劇團》
Kandelia Troupe
《喳喳淋》
Be Quick!
《浮光夜頌》
Glint in the Darkness
《堤映步稻》
Glow of Harvest
傳統燈飾紮作
Traditional Paper Crafting
「回──谷埔走一回」攝影展
“A Stroll through Kuk Po: The Beauty of Return” Photo Exhibition
何氏農具古物收藏展覽
HO’s Collections of Agricultural Tools & Objects Exhibition
田心李氏大宅復育展覽
LEE’s Mansion Revitalisation Exhibition
老圍社區花園──微建築修復實驗展示
Lo Wai Community Garden
– Demonstration of Micro-renewal Restoration Experiment
The design concept originates from the rural life of Kuk Po villagers in the past. 5 themes – farming, fisihing, night market, childhood and entertainment – are reimagined through illuminated installations. These illuminated installations interact with visitors, guiding them and introducing the history and culture of Kuk Po. Public participation was incorporated into the production, 200 secondary school students produced the woven decorations for “Night Market” while 30 primary school pupils illustrated the “Countryside Childhood”, detailing Kuk Po’s history and showcasing the transmission of craft skills.
啟才學校、新圍、田心、海下等
Pathway along Kai Choi School, San Wai, Tin Sum, Hoi Ha and etc.
18/1-16/2 1200-1900
Kuk
Art Exhibition – Find the Lights
The School of Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, in collaboration with local and international artists, has created more than 20 art installations along a 1.4-kilometer pathway connecting Kai Choi School, San Wai, Tin Sum, Hoi Ha and the dam in Kuk Po. By day, the installations evoke the charm of the village’s past, while at night, illuminated pathways guide visitors, offering them an immersive journey through the stories and culture of Kuk Po.
A student-themed art installation is situated outside the gates of Kai Choi School. It recreates daily activities of students during their breaks, such as skipping rope and tug-of-war. The installation features paintings of school life and rural landscapes created by 60 students, brimming with childlike charm.
The installation features a footballer holding a match ball, inviting participants to compete in the “Night Cup” in Kuk Po. Football is a universal language, a shared topic for the villagers. One of the best memories of villagers in 1970s was watching the World Cup final between West Germany and the Netherlands, they learned about football culture through letters from overseas villagers in the UK. During the day at Kai Choi School, the students and villagers all eagerly awaited the mini World Cup between Kuk Po and Fung Hang village.
The design concept is based on a tightrope walker, mirroring the performances of visiting foreign entertainers at the Kuk Po night market. Contrary to expectations, rural nights were not necessarily dark and gloomy. Post-war rural areas experienced economic improvement, attracting numerous itinerant performers who showcased their talents. The installation incorporates woven decorations created by 200 secondary school students, using needlework to recreate the landscape of Kuk Po.
藝術團隊: 理大重聚谷埔團隊
黃卓軒、何裕勤、符士汶
Artist Team: PolyU Kukpogettogether Navin WONG, Kagn HO, Sam FU
A fishing-themed art installation, situated outside the pier and SUNG’s Mansion. The installation’s polished surface projects water ripples onto the ground, creating the illusion for visitors of being on the same ship as the fisherman. The Hakka people of Kuk Po not only farmed, but fishing was also an essential part of their daily life. They spent nights on their self-built sea shack, gazing at the twinkling lights of fishing boats, awaiting the night’s catch – a bountiful harvest.
Conceived from the image of a farmer carrying water using a bamboo shoulder pole. In the past, villages lacked tap water, necessitating women’s journeys to the communal well. Water was essential for life, and chatting became a significant form of entertainment in rural life.
Kuk Po, once a place of abundant harvests, witnessed autumns with fields of golden rice beneath the sea. However, with the villagers moving out in the 1960s followed by the old sluice gates falling into disrepair, seawater surged back, leading to the disappearance of the rice fields.
The light and shadow installation ‘Glow of Harvest’ recreate the prosperous scenes of the past. Using the rice fields of Kuk Po as a design prototype, traditional bamboo weaving techniques are employed to create the appearance of glowing rice grains. Four sets of ‘Rice of Light’ installations will be placed on the embankment, each set comprising multiple bundles of woven rice and glowing rice lights, ranging in height from approximately 1.6 to 2 meters, capable of swaying in the wind, with each installation covering an area of about 20 meters in width.” The shimmering and swaying glowing rice bundles on the embankment can be admired by spectators taking a boat off the coast of Sha Tau Kok. With the fish-shaped lanterns on the embankment shining in harmony, offering blessings for prosperity in Kuk Po through this artwork.
Over a hundred years ago, villagers built dikes to create farmland, pumping out seawater to transform the land into fertile fields. The sluice gates can still be seen today. Over time, as the population declined, the paddy fields were abandoned, and the rice paddies turned into golden reed fields, becoming a paradise for birds. In 1979, there was no road connection to Kuk Po. Cheng and Yeung villagers collected over 300 signatures and wrote on the dam, “To the District Officer: We want a road,” and met with District Officer Sir David Akers-Jones. The hiking trail from Fung Hang to Kuk Po has been improved. In the early years, the sluice fell into disrepair, seawater flowed in, and the reed grass was gradually replaced by mangroves. However, the sluice gate has been renovated in recent years, and the villagers also hope to see the rice fields again. (Photo provided my Mr.Ho)
Following the Hakka Unicorn performance, the illuminated Hakka Unicorn will continue to shine the village. The Hakka Unicorn is constructed from a bamboo framework by Master Wan Kin-on of Yung Shue Au Village. In addition to traditional auspicious designs, the artwork also features flora, fauna, and other common elements of Hakka life.
The Hakka Unicorn holds particular significance in Kuk Po. Villagers invite the Hakka Unicorn into their homes for good fortune. They offer lettuce and red envelopes to the Hakka Unicorn; the act of the Hakka Unicorn biting into the lettuce symbolises a bountiful harvest. “Tsing” (青), meaning lettuce, sounds similar to “sang coi” (生 財) – to make money – thus, the lettuce-picking performance carries the meaning of good fortune and prosperity.
Ho’s Mansion
18/1-16/2 1200-1900
The Hakka Unicorn symbolises the transmission of culture, ensuring the continuation of Kuk Po’s stories across generations.
《燈飾紮作》
Traditional Paper Crafting
紮作藝術指導: 溫健安師傅 Paper Crafting Instructor: Master Wan Kin On 「做自己的客家燈籠」客家燈籠，有幾唔 同？如何用竹，再加上「紮」、「撲」手 法？理大團隊舉行為期6天的燈藝工作坊， 由龍獅教練兼藝術家溫健安師傅教授，跟30 位參與者利用傳統手法，內容包括︰選取材 料，紮作、撲布、組合，採用海洋為主題， 製作不同傳統暨創新的客家燈籠。
堤壩
The Dam L C
18/1-16/2 1200-1900
“Crafting Your Own Hakka Lantern”Traditional lanterns: what are the differences? How are bamboo to make a lantern?The PolyU team hosted a six-day lantern-making workshop led by Master Wan Kin On. 30 participants learnt the traditional techniques, including material selection, binding, pasting, and assembly, to create both traditional and innovative Hakka lanterns with an ocean theme.
Time slips away, days and months fleeting. Return to the land is a wistful remembrance of the past, or a vision for the future? This artwork utilises recycled plastic bags, then upcycled and transformed them. Almost 50 students were invited to fold 350 small house-shaped lanterns, subsequently installed at Chung Kee Store. At night, these lanterns, like countless households, form a luminous art installation, recreating past prosperity while promoting the concept of sustainable rural development.
Glint in the Darkness: Departure, Dispersion, and Reunion.
Kai Choi School, a landmark of Kuk Po, is no longer just a school, it holds a special place in the hearts of Kuk Po. Whether residing overseas or within the village itself, it remains deeply cherished. Utilizing the 90-year history of Kai Choi School, Ada has installed a luminous installation – a giant, floating sky lantern suspended in mid-air. This symbolizes the school’s alumni who spread and settled overseas, such as United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, still feeling a deep nostalgia for their homeland. The sky lantern embodies the spirit of “Kai Choi everywhere.” This allows the world to understand the story of Kuk Po and see its beauty.
The proposed experiment blends art and water harvesting to explore traditional irrigation methods in the historic Hakka village of Kuk Po, Hong Kong. The arts installation will serve as a platform to highlight the village’s intricate 17th-century water infrastructure, drawing attention to the importance of water resource management. By showcasing rainwater and fog harvesting techniques, the project will provide practical demonstrations of harnessing natural resources to meet local needs. Through this unique integration of art and functionality, the experiment aims to facilitate knowledge exchange, inspire sustainable practices, and foster a broader appreciation for water resource significance within the community and among visitors.
更多資訊 More Info
Clothing – our most intimate diaries, requiring no pen, paper, light, or instrument. Outliving their owners, they are worn daily, naturally bearing witness to life’s momentous and trivial things. They also hold the memories, simultaneously sharing their stories with the world. Artist Toby Crispy conducted workshops in London and Birmingham, with villagers from Kuk Po and Hong Kong residents, collecting their narratives. Participants embroidered their heartfelt stories onto old garments, which Toby then stitched together into artworks, subsequently exhibiting them in Kuk Po, connecting the voices of both locations through needle and thread. Preserving old clothes, recording heartfelt sentiments, stitching together memories.
Before the 1950s, the area from Hoi Ha Pier to the location of Chung Kee Store was the village’s commercial street. There was the Hap Hing grocery store, selling kerosene, rice, sugar, clothes, and more, with pigpens for raising pigs. Fat Kee Store (currently where Chung Kee Store is) sold alcohol, stationery, daily necessities, and had chicken and duck coops and a brewery at the back. Kong An Store (now the location of Chung Kee Store’s restroom) was property of the Lee family from Wu Kau Tang Village. Villagers from Wu Kau Tang did business in Kuk Po, selling pigs, alcohol, sugar, and other goods. Yeung Chung returned to the village and opened Chung Kee Store, then successfully obtained restaurant licence in 2024,selling Hakka food, seafood, and small dishes, becoming a new gathering spot in the village and a must-visit for tourists. (Photo provided by Mr.Yeung)
At the location of Chung Kee Store in Kuk Po, there is a three-story tower-like defensive building constructed in the 1920s, commonly referred to as the “Watchtower.” During the turbulent years of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, the area was plagued by mountain bandits, hooligans, and pirates. In the past, villages could apply for firearms from the government for protection against theft. Kuk Po had two or three guns at that time, and the Sha Tau Kok Police Station would inspect them annually.
In the early days, villagers would guard Kuk Po at night with guns at the pier, looking out towards the sea from the dam, protecting against pirates, thieves, and bandits. In the 1930s, there were also cases of mainlanders rowing to Kuk Po to steal. It wasn’t just villagers from Kuk Po; other villages such as Lai Chi Wo and Wu Kau Tang would also walk to Kuk Po and then take a boat to Sha Tau Kok. In the 1950s, rowboats were still used (the journey took about half an hour). It wasn’t until the 1960s to 1970s that motorized boats became available. At that time, there were four to five boats belonging to Kuk Po Village. The ferries could carry 10-20 people until the service was discontinued in 1998. (Photo provided by Mr.Ho)
Kai Choi School is the landmark of Kuk Po. Built in 1932, it is the only school in Kuk Po and nearby villages (Fung Hang and A Ma Wat), with up to 120 students at its peak. It was one of the few schools with an independent campus site at the time. Its Continental architectural style was praised as “the most beautiful village school”. Thousands of alums lived different life because of Kai Choi School. In earlier times, the school taught by blending agricultural knowledge in Hakka Chinese. Eventually, it adapted to the local curriculum, and most students changed from village children to children of emigrants. These transformations marked the history of Kuk Po. Although it ceased to teach in 1993, Kai Choi was still the villagers’ collective memory, and it still serves as the gathering place for emigrants and local villagers. (Photo provided by Mr.Ho)
HO’s Mansion served as a resting station for nearby villages in the past. Before the 1960s, villagers from Wu Kau Tang and Lai Chi Wo would walk along mountain paths to Kuk Po Lo Wai, then take a rowboat to Sha Tau Kok town to trade daily necessities. Passing by HO’s Mansion was essential, and villagers would stop for a cup of tea before continuing to the pier to catch their boat. Later, with the development of Bride’s Pool Road and the availability of motorized boats in other villages, the role of the resting station gradually diminished. (Photo provided by Mr.Ho)
Built in the 1930s, LEE’s Mansion has remained unchanged over the years, retaining features such as the wooden staircase, parapet wall, and kitchen from that era. The Lee family frequently returns to the village to manage their farming activities, yearning to live a self-sufficient life in the village. In recent years, the Lees from Tin Sum established “Seasonfoodhk,” operating an Instagram social media page, producing agricultural products grown in Kuk Po, and organising student ecocultural tours.
Beginning with music, incorporating painting, participation and play, these form the joyful story of Kuk Po. Overlooking the reed beds, live painting performances will be held. Led by nature-inspired music, participants will sing and dance together, creating a dreamlike time within the pages of a picture book alongside the local people encountered in Kuk Po Village. The event highlights the coexistence and interaction between humans and nature, offering an experience of a journey that unites life and spirit.
更多資訊 More Info
Artist Muses Sze has collected local clay in Kuk Po together with the project team and students of HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity. Through the process of collecting, washing wild clay and glaze testing, the clay were finally made into a series of pottery for the villagers to serve Hakka banquets. Just like the soil, in addition to nurture plant life and history of Kuk Po, it can also be transformed to functional food-ware.
Weaving Twilight is a creation that combines weaving and installations. The colorful braided ropes symbolize the transmission of signals and the intertwining of emotions. It draws inspiration from the story of Mr. Ho installing a television transmission station in Kuk Po Village in 1969. Back then, as the young population dwindled, only the elderly were left in the village. To comfort the elders, Mr. Ho installed antennas and televisions for them to receive information from the outside world. He fondly recalls watching the 1974 World Cup final between West Germany and the Netherlands with the villagers in Kuk Po.The woven rope installations extend from the rooftop and windows of Ho’s Mansion in Kuk Po to the grassland, symbolizing the connection between technology and human affection, and responding to the links between urban and rural areas, individuals, and communities.
Sowing Light
更多資訊
Sowing Light is a light installation art piece inspired by the story of Lee’s Mansion in Kuk Po Village. The design is based on the restoration and farming revival of Lee’s Mansion. By transforming “idle” into “leisure,” the remaining window frames and tiles from the Lee’s Mansion restoration are used as primary materials, giving a sense of life that combines environment and story. The window frames are arranged in front of the sunlight and the Kuk Po scenery, forming a resting installation that invites the audience to view the beautiful scenery of Kuk Po through the windows. The tiles are arranged in the shapes of different plants scattered on the grass, resonating with the environment. The window frames and installations are also integrated with lighting elements, illuminating this land that has regained its vitality at night.
The farmland within the village is mainly divided into paddy fields and dry fields. The low-lying areas close to water sources are used for growing rice in paddy fields, while the highland terraces are dry fields, cultivated along the mountains, and used for growing drought-resistant crops such as sweet potatoes and taro. This supplements the insufficient rice harvest. In those days, villagers attending Kai Choi School were very eager to advance to higher grades, as it allowed them to see a vast expanse of paddy fields in Tin Sum from the second-floor classrooms. (Photo provided by Mr.Ho)
Lo Wai in Kuk Po is the oldest village, established 371 years ago, with ancestral halls for several clans such as SUNG, HO, YEUNG, and LEE. Before the 1930s, there was a private school called Bok Bok Chai in the upper right corner of Lo Wai, with only a dozen students. Each year, villagers would perform ancestral worship and grave-sweeping at the ancestral halls. However, over time, as people left, the village became desolate. By the 1990s, only a few very elderly residents remained. Houses began to collapse one by one, partly because after the elderly residents passed away, no one maintained the village. With the lack of human presence, nature took over, and the houses became homes for animals and insects.
Over the years, as people left, the village went from seven rows of houses to at least three rows missing, with fewer than five houses being habitable.
Built in the 1930s, LEE’s Mansion has remained unchanged over the years, retaining features such as the wooden staircase, parapet wall, and kitchen from that era. The Lee family frequently returns to the village to manage their farming activities, yearning to live a self-sufficient life in the village. In recent years, the Lees from Tin Sum established “Seasonfoodhk,” operating an Instagram social media account, producing agricultural products grown in Kuk Po, and organizing student eco-cultural tours. (Photo provided by Mr.Yeung)
The design concept envisions inviting the “Kandelia Troupe”, composed of animals, to perform and celebrate during the Countryside Harvest Festival. Kandelia is a species of mangrove that grows in Kuk Po, and the animal members of the troupe also represent local species found in Kuk Po. By exhibiting this artwork during the Festival, Seika Studio hope visitors can learn about Kuk Po’s ecology in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.
This artwork features metal cut-outs in the shapes of various animals found in Kuk Po, presented on the grass as if the puppet performance is in progress. The natural landscape and waterways are used as the backdrop, integrating the artwork into the village living environment and infusing it with liveliness.
Pathway from San Wai to Kai Choi School Tin Sum grassland
The artwork will echo the “Kandelia Troupe”, depicting people hurrying to watch the troupe’s performances. Signposts feature the same animal characters from the troupe will be installed along the paths to showcase the coming and going visitors (animals). The artist will also incorporate some playful scenes that tie into the Harvest Festival activities.
This artwork features metal cut-outs in the shapes of Kuk Po’s animals, placed alongside the small paths to convey the lively comings and goings of visitors. The natural landscape serves as the backdrop, with the sight of visitors passing by helping to create a vibrant atmosphere for the Kuk Po village and Harvest Festival.
展覽 Exhibitions
「回──谷埔走一回」攝影展
“A Stroll through Kuk Po: The Beauty of Return” Photo Exhibition
參展攝影師: 常霖法師、袁斯樂、高志強、文念中
Photographer: Changlin Fashi, Kelvin Yuen, Alfred Ko, Man Lim-chung
We find ourselves in an era rich in information and material abundance. Yet, whenever we seek tranquillity, the countryside remains a cherished refuge. The harmony between the countryside and nature may explain our affinity for rural life. Beyond this, the countryside holds a treasure trove of simplicity and traditional customs that urban dwellers have long missed. It encompasses the intricate connections among people, land, sky, and the essence of humanity itself. The Hong Kong International Photography Festival (HKIPF) presents countless possibilities through old and contemporary photographs, showcasing these timeless stories and legends, which we can never tire of hearing, are deeply intertwined with the concept of “return”—returning home, returning to one’s roots, looking back, rejuvenating, responding, giving back, reminiscing, returning to origins, sharing, savoring, honoring, reflecting, flowing back... and what else? It’s time for us to have a stroll through Kuk Po again!
Mr. Ho, a resident of Kuk Po, has curated a fascinating collection of farming tools and equipment, including a restored weaving loom and rice seeds from Kuk Po dating back to the 1960s. He has established a private venue to display his collection, offering visitors a glimpse into the daily life of farmers in the past.
This action research project “From Valley to Plain: Phase II” , funded by Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS), and led by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, restores the 90-year-old hybrid mansion and regenerates the surrounding farmlands, so as to co-create with stakeholders a comprehensive setting for eco-living experiences in Hong Kong’s countryside, aspiring towards a sustainable and living culture. The hybrid mansion will be open to public and exhibit the project outcomes.
老圍社區花園
——微建築修復實驗展示
Lo Wai Community Garden – Demonstration of Micro-renewal Restoration Experiment
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主辦團隊: 香港大學中國建築與城市研究中心
Organiser : Centre for Chinese Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong
Funded by Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS), the Centre for Chinese Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong utilise an collapsed village house as a experiment site, to create a public garden through micro-renewal approach in Lo Wai. The design demonstrates principles of authenticity in conservation, providing public space for visitors and showcasing the symbiotic relationships between architecture and landscape for traditional Hakka settlements in Hong Kong.
Funded by Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS), the Chinese University of Hong Kong restores a village house and repurposes it as an Interdisciplinary Education Research Base at Ng To, Kuk Po, which pioneers a village conservation partnership between university and village community. The research base will be open to public and exhibit the research outcomes including Kuk Po’s landscape from inland valley to the coastal plain through the Kuk Po River, and the rich natural and cultural heritages of the 300-yearold Hakka settlements.
Kai Choi School Exhibition “Art Kuk Po”
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主辦團隊: 香港大學中國建築與城市研究中心
Organiser: Centre for Chinese Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong
The Art Kuk Po Exhibition, led by Centre for Chinese Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, will showcase how artist Koon Wai Bong and his team use their representative styles to present the Kuk Po values and culture.
Koon Wai Bong is the leading artist and curator of this exhibition, the team members also includes artist Angel Hui Hoi Kiu, postgraduate and undergraduate students from different universities.
This exhibition is funded by Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme (CCFS).
Feel the charm of Kuk Po come alive through the melodies of world-class musicians! Gordon Lee, the World Harmonica Festival champion, and internationally renowned musician Vincent Liauw will weave beautiful harmonies amidst the birds and flowers of Kuk Po. Enjoy the soulful voice of singer Karen Kong as it mingles with the breeze, bringing both nature and visitors into the rhythm of the countryside.
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Harmonica player Gordon Lee garnered international attention since he won the champion prize at the 2017 World Harmonica Festival in Germany. He was under the tutelage of two-time Grammy Award winner Howard Levy, Franz Chmel and Tak-wai Cheng.
As a soloist, Lee has performed extensively with prestigious orchestras and was also invited to be a guest performer and adjudicator in numerous music festivals. In 2022, he held Hong Kong’s firstever solo harmonica concert at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall, and was recognised as a “world-class soloist “ by the IATC, a renowned international organisation of critics.
In 2024, Lee was awarded the “Young Artist of the Year Award” by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and in the same year, he received the “Music Advocacy Award” from the International Society for Music Education in Finland. In addition, he has appeared as a recording artist and solo guest performer with Hong Kong renowned artists.
Vincent Liauw, born in Beijing, began his musical journey and learnt the violin since childhood at 5 years old. He later moved to Vienna to major in music and conducting, joining the Vienna Youth Orchestra as one of the few Asian musicians. After gaining performance experience across Europe, he returned to Hong Kong to promote classical music and broaden young people’s musical horizons and interests.
Vincent is also a famous composer and performer of pop music. He worked with Alan Tam and producer Johnny Yim to record Tam’s 40th anniversary album in Europe, where he took on the important role of conducting the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, which consists of over sixty musicians. Vincent has also composed scores for several films and served as music director for large events, actively promoting the concept of “Music for All”.
Karen Kong is not only an outstanding singer, vocal coach, and actress but also an artist with steadfast dreams and beliefs. She actively participates in charitable activities, spreading positive energy and faith.
Karen has participated in “The Voice 1” and “King Maker III”, she also recently served as a mentor on “Midlife, Sing & Shine! 2”. Karen’s strength and unconditional dedication not only reflect her professional qualities as an excellent mentor but also showcase her passion and commitment to the legacy of music.
Using music, body movements, and art to bring out the four elements of nature: wind, fire, water, and earth, participants will connect with the natural space through music, body, and art to perceive and record their present state. The artistic process will express the rhythm and state after music and movement with ‘a single line,’ simultaneously connecting with the mountain contours of nature, gradually recording on paper, and presenting the physical and mental state of connection with nature at the moment.
Through acoustic performances, scenery, culture, and history of Kuk Po are presented, embracing the stories and wisdom of Kuk Po and the countryside of Hong Kong.
Half a century ago, Kuk Po had its own World Cup. It wasn’t West Germany vs. the Netherlands, but Lo Wai vs. Tin Sum, Kuk Po vs. Yung Shue Au, and North District vs. Tai Po. Villagers overseas brought their passion for football from England in the 1960s. The glow-in-thedark football matches narrated the stories of overseas and local villagers. (Photo Source: The Education University of Hong Kong)
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豐年農集 Good Day Market
豐年農集結合來自各區村民、農戶，以本 地農作物、特色食物、客家傳統工藝講述 鄉村故事。
新圍
The Market brings together villagers and farmers from different villages to share rural stories through local produce, speciality foods and Hakka crafts.
We recreate the electrifying energy of the World Cup under Kuk Po’s pitch-black sky. A fun and simple ball game awaits, 8 teams (5 members each) compete in 3 rounds of elimination matches under the glow of the luminous field The winning team will receive a custom-made prize, shining with victory in the dark. Or, if you prefer, join as a spectator, cheering on the teams and sharing in the excitement.
Under the moonlit sky and a cool breeze, experience the essence of Kuk Po’s past while sipping on unique drinks served in handmade clay cups crafted by locals. Workshops feature ingredients like roselle and pomelo leaves, harvested right from Kuk Po’s soil, infusing each sip with the authentic flavours of the land. Together with handmade ceramic cups designed by village residents and local students, this is the true taste of Kuk Po.
Under the soft glow of the moon, immerse yourself in the stories of Kuk Po with a screening of the documentary *Homecoming*, which chronicles the village’s transformation over the past three years. Villagers themselves take on the role of storytellers, sharing cherished memories. This is more than just a visit; it’s a chance to become part of Kuk Po’s legacy—exploring, contributing, and becoming a new “Kuk Po villager“.
「鄉郊豐年節：谷埔『聲—色—味』之旅」得以順利推展，實有賴以
下各熱心機構及人士於不同範疇的支持和參與，為鄉郊保育及復育作 出寶貴貢獻。排名不分先後：
旅遊事務署
沙頭角區鄉事委員會
警察義工服務隊
香港消防處義工隊
香港中文大學
楊玉峰村代表
李木星村代表
宋玉錢
何瑞庭
吳玉帶
吳玉清
宋必如
宋永康
Agnes Pang
Alec Lai
Alyson Tse
Ambrose Kwok
Anne Cheung
Annisa Chan
Anson Ho
Anthony Lam
Au Ka Man
Beatrice Kwong
Bell
Bennie Ho
BerNice Cheung
Brian Mak
Carren Chan
Caspar Lam
Cathy Lau
Chan Ada
Chan Cheuk Yiu
Chan Hei Kiu
Chan Hung Ngan
Chan Kit Mei
Chan Tsz Ying
The successful implementation of the The “Countryside Harvest Festival: Kuk Po ‘Sound-Sight-Taste Fusion’ Tour” is made possible through the dedicated support and participation of the following passionate organisations and individuals in various aspects, contributing significantly to countryside conservation and revitalisation. Listed in no particular order:
