Most of the walled villages of Hong Kong are located in the New Territories.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the shore of Guangdong suffered from pirates, and the area of present-day Hong Kong was particularly vulnerable to pirates' attacks. Winding shores, hilly lands and islands and remoteness from administrative centres made the territory of Hong Kong an excellent hideout for pirates. Villages, both Punti and Hakka, built walls against them. Some villages even protected themselves with cannons. Over time, the walls of most walled villages have been partly or totally demolished.
In Punti Cantonese, Wai (圍, Walled) and Tsuen (村, Village) were once synonyms, hence most place names which include the word 'wai', were at some point in time a walled village.
Two heritage trails of Hong Kong feature walled villages:
Walled villages in Hong Kong are characterised by row houses arranged in a square or rectangular block, where the parallel rows of houses are separated by narrow lanes. [2]
Kat Hing Wai (吉慶圍) is a noted Punti walled village in Yuen Long District of Hong Kong.[ citation needed ] It often mistakenly believed to be Hakka, whose people have similar traditions.[ citation needed ] However the Punti people were from Southern China and the first to settle in Hong Kong. Kat Hing Wai's residents speak Cantonese, rather than Hakka.[ citation needed ] Popularly known as Kam Tin , from the name of the area, it is home to about 400 descendants of the Tang Clan, who built the village back in the 17th century.
Kat Hing Wai is a rectangular (100 m x 90 m) walled village. As a family stronghold, Kat Hing Wai has served the Tangs well through the centuries, protecting the residents against bandits, rival clans, and wild tigers. During the Qing dynasty, a five-metre high blue brick wall and four cannon towers were added to defend against bandits. Today, the village is still completely surrounded by 18-inch-thick walls,[ citation needed ] outside which are the remains of a moat. However, most houses within the walls have been rebuilt in recent years. There is only one narrow entrance, with a pair of iron gates.
Tsang Tai Uk (曾大屋), also known as Shan Ha Wai (山下圍), [3] is another well-known Hakka walled village in Hong Kong, and one of the best preserved. It is located in Sha Tin, close to the south of the Pok Hong Estate, not far from the Lion Rock Tunnel Road. Built as a stronghold for the Tsang Clan, its construction started in 1847 and took around 20 years to complete. The village is built with granite, grey bricks, and solid timber.
Sheung Shui Wai (上水圍), also known as Sheung Shui Heung (上水鄉), is one of the very few rural settlements having retained its original moat which was built in 1646. Characterized by its magnificent moat and landscape setting, the walled village is the core of the Liu clan, of which ancestors came originally from Fujian during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). The village is located in Sheung Shui.
Fanling Wai (粉嶺圍) is a walled village in Fanling built by the Pang (彭) Clan. It is recognisable with the distinctive pond and layout including features such as cannons and watchtowers. All these elements were crafted to form an integral part of the village setting. Fanling Wai is the centre of the Pang Clan who arrived in Hong Kong late during the Song dynasty. [4]
Nga Tsin Wai Tsuen (衙前圍村) is a walled village in Wong Tai Sin, New Kowloon. It is the only walled village left in the urban built-up areas of Hong Kong. Nga Tsin Wai Tsuen is also the only remaining walled village in Kowloon. It is located near San Po Kong. On 18 July 2007, the government announced its plans to redevelop Nga Tsin Wai Tsuen. [5]
Remaining walled villages in Hong Kong include:
| Name | Alternate name | Area and coordinates | Notes | Gate | Shrine or ancestral hall | Watch tower |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tsang Tai Uk (曾大屋) | Shan Ha Wai (山下圍) [3] | Sha Tin 22°22′26″N114°11′26″E / 22.3738°N 114.1906°E | (see "Notable walled villages" above) |  |  |  |
| Chik Chuen Wai (積存圍) | Tai Wai (大圍) | Tai Wai 22°22′35″N114°10′44″E / 22.376275°N 114.178783°E |  |  |  | |
| Tin Sam Wai (田心圍) | Tai Wai 22°22′09″N114°10′40″E / 22.369298°N 114.177826°E | Tin Sam was founded during the late Ming dynasty. [24] Historic buildings in the village include the Choi, [25] [26] Leung [27] [28] and Liu ancestral halls, [25] and the Entrance Gate, built during the Qing dynasty. [29] |  | | | |
| Name | Alternate name | Area and coordinates | Notes | Gate | Shrine or ancestral hall | Watch tower |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kei Ling Ha Lo Wai (企嶺下老圍) | Shap Sze Heung, Sai Kung Peninsula 22°24′40″N114°16′27″E / 22.411001°N 114.274177°E |  |  | | ||
| Chung Sum Wai (中心圍) | Tsing Chuen Wai (青磚圍) | Tai Hang (Tai Po) 22°28′09″N114°08′59″E / 22.469228°N 114.149808°E |  | |  | |
| Fui Sha Wai (灰沙圍) | Tai Hang (Tai Po) 22°28′12″N114°09′06″E / 22.469915°N 114.151535°E | The walls of Fui Sha Wai were built by the local villagers during the mid-Ming dynasty. Four watchtowers were built in each corner for fortification. Nowadays, Fui Sha Wai still remains as a village exclusively for the Man clan. |  | |  | |
| Pan Chung (泮涌) | Tai Po 22°26′43″N114°09′57″E / 22.445308°N 114.165748°E | A multi-clan village. #1403 |  |  | | |
| Tai Po Tau Shui Wai (大埔頭水圍) | Tai Po Tau Lo Wai (大埔頭老圍) [30] | Tai Wo 22°27′09″N114°09′27″E / 22.452524°N 114.157438°E | Tai Po Tau Shui Wai was established during the Song dynasty by a branch of the Tang Clan of Kam Tin. The enclosing walls were constructed during the Ming dynasty. [30] |  |  |  |
| Name | Alternate name | Area and coordinates | Notes | Gate | Shrine or ancestral hall | Watch tower |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Tung Uk (三棟屋) | Tsuen Wan 22°22′19″N114°07′13″E / 22.371934°N 114.120223°E | The former Hakka walled village has been converted into the Sam Tung Uk Museum, and is now a declared monument. |  |  | | |
| Name | Alternate name | Area and coordinates | Notes | Gate | Shrine or ancestral hall | Watch tower |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chung Uk Tsuen (鍾屋村) | Kwong Tin Wai (廣田圍) | Lam Tei 22°25′44″N113°59′33″E / 22.428791°N 113.992418°E | The Chungs of Chung Uk Tsuen moved from Dongguan during the Ming dynasty. [31] |  |  | |
| Lam Tei Tsuen (藍地村) | Wing On Tsuen (永安村) | Lam Tei 22°25′09″N113°59′02″E / 22.419186°N 113.984023°E | Established by the To (陶) Clan [32] |  |  | |
| Nai Wai (泥圍) | Wong Kong Wai (黃崗圍) [32] | Lam Tei 22°25′24″N113°59′19″E / 22.423307°N 113.988609°E | Established by the To (陶) Clan [32] |  |  |  |
| Sun Fung Wai (順風圍) | (順豐圍) | Lam Tei 22°25′28″N113°59′19″E / 22.424334°N 113.988679°E | A multi-lineage village established around 300 years ago. [33] |  |  |  |
| Tsing Chuen Wai (青磚圍) | Mak Yuen Wai (麥園圍) [32] | Lam Tei 22°25′22″N113°58′55″E / 22.422667°N 113.981861°E | Established by the To (陶) Clan about 300 years ago. Tin Hau, Kwan Tai and a Qing official are worshipped in the village shrine. |  |  |  |
| Tuen Mun San Tsuen (屯門新村) | San Tsuen Wai (新村圍) Tai Yuen Wai (大園圍) [32] | Lam Tei 22°25′06″N113°59′04″E / 22.418229°N 113.984436°E | Established by the To (陶) Clan [32] |  |  | |
| Tuen Tsz Wai (屯子圍) | Tin Tsz Wai (田子圍) [32] [34] | Lam Tei 22°25′18″N113°58′53″E / 22.42174°N 113.98127°E | The village was built by the Siu (蕭) Clan. It was later settled by the To (陶) Clan during the Qing dynasty. [35] The entrance gate was demolished and was rebuilt further east for feng shui reasons. [34] |  |  |  |
| Name | Alternate name | Area | Notes | Gate | Shrine | Coordinates and References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nga Tsin Wai Tsuen (衙前圍村) | Hing Yau Yu Tsuen (慶有餘村)
| Wong Tai Sin 22°20′06″N114°11′36″E / 22.335042°N 114.193354°E | See also "Notable walled villages" above. |  |  |  |
The following villages are likely to have been walled villages, although it is not confirmed: [46]
| Name | Alternate name | Area and coordinates | Notes | Gate | Shrine or ancestral hall | Watch tower |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sai Tau Wai (西頭圍) | Wang Chau, Yuen Long District 22°27′11″N114°01′33″E / 22.452931°N 114.025916°E | |  | | ||
| Tsz Tin Wai (子田圍) | Lam Tei, Tuen Mun District 22°24′58″N113°58′29″E / 22.416147°N 113.974632°E | The village has been engulfed by Tsz Tin Tsuen (紫田村) | |  | | |
A number of old villages in Hong Kong have a wall, built for defensive or feng shui purposes, and an entrance gate, but are not considered as traditional walled villages. They include:
The following villages are neither current nor former walled villages, despite the wai in their name: [46]
Sheung Shui is an area in the New Territories, Hong Kong. Sheung Shui Town, a part of this area, is part of the Fanling–Sheung Shui New Town in the North District of Hong Kong. Fanling Town is to its southeast.
Ping Shan Heritage Trail is a heritage trail located in the Ping Shan area of Yuen Long District, in Hong Kong. The trail was inaugurated on 12 December 1993 and was the first of its kind in Hong Kong. It passes through the villages of Hang Tau Tsuen, Hang Mei Tsuen and Sheung Cheung Wai and it includes several declared monuments and graded buildings.
Sheung Shui Wai, also known as Sheung Shui Heung (上水鄉) is an area in Sheung Shui, in the northern part of the New Territories of Hong Kong. Its population is around 6,000 people.
Lam Tsuen is an area in Tai Po District, Hong Kong, noted for its Lam Tsuen wishing trees. The nearby Lam Tsuen River, empties into Tai Po Hoi.
Shap Pat Heung is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Located south of Yuen Long and northeast of Tai Tong, the area occupies the plain north of hills of Tai Lam. The Cantonese name 'Shap Pat Heung' means 'eighteen villages' at its beginning. It was later expanded to thirty villages. Administratively, it is part of the Yuen Long District.
The Tang Clan of Hong Kong is one of the Five Great Clans of the New Territories (新界五大氏族). The others are Man, Hau, Pang and Liu.
Lung Yeuk Tau, commonly known as Lung Ku Tau and also called Lung Ling is an area located northeast of Luen Wo Hui in Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong are dedicated to Tin Hau (Mazu). Over 100 temples are dedicated to Tin Hau in Hong Kong. A list of these temples can be found below.
Ying Lung Wai is a walled village in the Yuen Long Kau Hui area of Yuen Long District, Hong Kong.
Yuen Long Kau Hui is an area in Yuen Long, Yuen Long District, in the western New Territories of Hong Kong.
Nam Pin Wai, sometimes transliterated as Nam Bin Wai, is a walled village in the Yuen Long Kau Hui area of Yuen Long District, Hong Kong.
Wing Lung Wai is a walled village located in the Kam Tin area of Yuen Long District, in Hong Kong. Three other walled villages, Kat Hing Wai, Tai Hong Wai, and Kam Hing Wai are located nearby and were built around the same time.
Tin Sam Village or Tin Sam Tsuen, sometimes transliterated as Tin Sum, is a village in Tai Wai, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong. It is located west of Sun Chui Estate, north of Lung Hang Estate, and southeast of Festival City. Part of Tin Sam Village consists of Tin Sam Wai (田心圍), a historic walled village.
Tan Chuk Hang is a village of Hong Kong, located in Fanling, North District. It comprises Tan Chuk Hang Lo Wai and Tan Chuk Hang San Wai aka. Sheung Tan Chuk Hang.
Wing Ning Wai is a walled village in Lung Yeuk Tau, Fanling, Hong Kong. It is one of the Five Wai and Six Tsuen (villages) in Lung Yeuk Tau.
Ho Sheung Heung is an area in Sheung Shui, North District, Hong Kong.
San Wai or San Wai Tsuen (新圍村) is a village in the San Tin area of Yuen Long District, Hong Kong.
The Nine Alliances of Lek Yuen or Kau Yeuk was a regional organization of various groups in Sha Tin Valley, Hong Kong.
