SECRETS

The legend of Hanging Bell Island

Nicole Slater investigates the story behind Sai Kung’s Jin Island

Located south of Kau Sai Chau, Jin Island, better known as Tiu Chung Chau, is an island in the Port Shelter of Sai Kung.

Tiu Chung Chau translates to “Hanging

Photo: Clavin Ki Bell Island” in English, it’s name comes from a legend involving a Sung Dynasty official and Feng Shui master named Ho and a natural phenomenon in a cave on the island.

Legend states that, at dawn the sun’s first rays shine into the cave to create what looks like a golden bell hanging in the air. In the late Sung Dynasty, two roots of an old banyan tree that grew on the island dangled down from the top of the cave like two silk strings holding the golden bell. Ho believed that if he could bury a family member there, his family would become immensely important. Sure enough, after he buried a dead relative in the cave, he was promoted and became wealthy.

With power however, Ho became selfish. He would order fishermen to lash their boats together and form a bridge to the island for seven or eight days in the spring and autumn so he could worship and make sacrifices. This affected the livelihood of the fishermen, so they consulted another feng shui master about how to ruin the power of the island.

On his advice, they sprinkled the blood of a black dog over the banyan roots and cut them away from the tree. When they had finished, a great noise like a howl filled the bay. The mountains shook and the hillside collapsed, causing the banyan to fall into the sea. Ho lost his position not long after and vanished, never to be seen again.

How to get there: Sai Kung islands cruise offers tours to the island. The three hour tour starts at Sai Kung Public Pier and sails over to Yim Tin Tsai island, Jin Island and Kiu Tsui Chau. $250 per person, $210 for children.

wouter@adventuretours.hk

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