Capturing the past

Sam Tung Uk capturing the past

One of Hong Kong’s 123 declared monuments is Sam Tung Uk, a walled village which has survived the centuries despite rapid nearby development in Tsuen Wan. The Chans, a Hakka family, lived there from 1786 until 1980 in the three rows of dwellings denoted by its name. Now a museum, it dates back to when pirates hid along Hong Kong’s shores and the Chans built high walls to keep them out.

Occupying an area of 2,000 square metres, the symmetrical layout of the village resembles a chessboard with an entrance hall, an assembly hall and an ancestral hall at the central axis. With four individual houses in the middle, the village is completely fortified.

By Steven Ku

It faces the Rambler Channel north of Tsing Yi island and used to have a marvellous view. Despite the fact that it is now surrounded by tall buildings, this fantastic location is still thought to have good feng shui which brought luck and wealth.

The village has been part of my life because it is extremely close to my secondary school. I have passed it on my way to lunch in a nearby shopping mall for six years. My schoolmates and I even used to play hide-and-seek there. I am 18 and villages like this are rare in Hong Kong. Try to find one yourself before it’s too late. Maybe it will capture your imagination as Sam Tung Uk captured mine.

More details lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/ICHO/en_ US/web/icho/sam_tung_uk_museum.html

Steven Ku is taking part in the Hong Kong Young Ambassadors Scheme which is organized by HKFYG and the Tourism Commission