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Heritage Conservation in Hong Kong (4)

Declared Monuments in the New Territories - Remains of Ancient Kiln, Wun Yiu Village
Wun Yiu, Tai Po was once a center of porcelain industry in the New Territories. As early as the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), clans of Man and Tse had started manufacturing the blue and white porcelain. The Ma clan, a group of Hakka people originated from Changle county in Guangdong province, settled in Tai Po and purchased the kilns from the Man clan in 1674 (the 13th year of Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty). The industry declined in the early 20th century due to the competition from good quality and inexpensive porcelain produced by other coastal kilns in Guangdong. The kilns at Wun Yiu finally ceased to operate in 1932.

Archaeological investigations at Wun Yiu discovered the remains illustrating the complete process of porcelain production such as china clay quarrying pits, water-mills, animal-driven grinder, clay soaking tanks and dragon kilns. They all are important cultural heritage of Hong Kong.


Declared Monuments in the New Territories - Chik Kwai Study Hall, Sheung Tsuen, Pat Heung, Yuen Long, New Territories
Chik Kwai Study Hall, a typical traditional Chinese study hall in Hong Kong, was built before 1899 by Lai Kam Tai of the Lai clan in Pat Heung, which had settled in the Pat Heung area for hundreds of years.

Chik Kwai Study Hall was originally built for educating young clansmen in traditional classics and was also used for ancestor worship starting from the 1930s. Operation of the school ceased during World War II, but resumed afterwards as Wing Hing School for providing modern education. It was later used as a kindergarten, which was closed decades ago. The Study Hall also served as a venue to hold clan meetings and traditional rituals, such as wedding ceremonies and ancestor worship at spring and autumn equinoxes.

Chik Kwai Study Hall is a typical example of traditional two-hall-one-courtyard building of the Qing dynasty. The impressive facade of the green-brick study hall is distinguished by the solemn granite-block wall base and the overhanging roof supported by ornamental brackets, camel humps and granite columns. The roof ridge of the entrance hall is decorated with polychrome mouldings depicting the theme of "carp jumps over the dragon gate". Internally, all the exquisitely craved camel humps and eave boards are devoted to the themes of traditional Chinese folk stories and auspicious motifs. A beautifully crafted wooden altar is placed at the main hall of the Study Hall for accommodating the soul tablets of the ancestors of the Lais.


Declared Monuments in the New Territories - Site of Chinese Customs Station, Junk Island
In view of the furious opium smuggling, the Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi ordered the establishment of three customs stations in 1868 at Fat Tau Chau, Cheung Chau and Kap Shui Mun (Ma Wan) respectively to collect likin on opium trade. These stations ceased to operate in 1899 after the lease of the New Territories to Britain.

Fat Tau Chau Old Chinese Customs Station was discovered in 1962. The ruin is so regarded as a customs station after the discovery of a stone slab broken into four pieces with inscriptions: "By the Grace (of the Emperor), tributes are accepted from and customs exchange with Annam, which is far away (from China). Renovated by the Manager of the Customs Station".


Declared Monuments in the New Territories - Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda
Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda (Pagoda of Gathering Stars) is the only surviving ancient pagoda in Hong Kong. According to the genealogy of the Tang clan of Ping Shan, the pagoda was built by Tang Yin-tung, the seventh generation ancestor, more than 600 years ago. This hexagonal-shaped pagoda is a three-storey green-brick structure about thirteen metres high. A statue of Fui Shing (Champion Star) is worshipped on the top floor. The pagoda was built to improve fung shui of the locality in order to prevent flooding disasters to the village. Furthermore, it was believed that its auspicious location, which is in alignment with Castle Peak, would ensure success for clan members in the Imperial Civil Service Examinations. In fact, the Tang clan of Ping Shan has produced numerous scholars and officials.

Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda was declared a monument on 14 December 2001.






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