Ping Shan in the Yuen Long district, is a beautiful walking trail coving many historically significant buildings built by Tang Clan, the descendants of the original settlers in the area. Tangs were one of the five main clans to first settle in Hong Kong. The trail winds through three villages, with buildings consisting of traditional ancestral halls, temples, residences and study halls. I felt like I time traveled!
Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda: It is the only remaining ancient pagoda in Hong Kong, It was built by the Tangs some 600 years ago to prevent village flooding.
Sheung Cheung Wai Village: Is a 200-year-old traditional walled village
This old well is where the villagers originally got their water from.
Yeung Hau Temple: This temple is dedicated to the Hau Wong deity.
Tang Ancestral Hall: Is a grandiose building still in use today by local villagers. It consists of three halls, a main, and two internal courtyards. The identically configured Yu Kiu Ancestral Hall was built in the 16th century and was used as a school for the nearby villages.
Kun Ting Study Hall: Was used both as an ancestral hall as well as a place of study. It is one of the most impressive buildings on the trail, with fine craftsmanship on prominent display in the interior courtyard.
Shut Hing Study Hall: Located at the southern end of the trail and now hidden among low-rise village housing, the Shut Hing Study Hall was built in 1874.
Architecture is about the experience - Not only visual but also what you can touch and what you can feel. I was lost in time here, felt so present and calm. Makes me wonder how life would have been in the 16-17 centuries. If this is how beautiful life was, I wish I was born in that era.
This place is very much part of Hong Kong, I am glad they have taken an effort in restoring this beautiful place. We all love to live in big cities, skyscrapers & high-rises. The difficulty with modern architecture is the values concealed within those buildings which I hope does not lead to the loss of our humanity and our sense of spiritual emptiness.
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