Hong Kong Off The Beaten Path

  Another view of the gate
by mikey_e
 
  • Another view of the gate
      Another view of the gate
    by mikey_e
  •   Museums
    by wandering360
  •   Museums
    by wandering360
  •   Museums
    by wandering360
  •   Museums
    by wandering360
 
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Lo Wai. Lung Yeuk Tau trail. Fanling.

by picek

Best kept 'wai' here on heritage route, I think. It's small walled village and its walls were restored recently and altogether that place is declared monument. It was the first walled village built by the Tang clan of that area, a little on the hill. Main gate is narrow and faces east – and its gatehouse contains a shrine of the Earthgod. Upon, there is gun platform - like you will see on other wai's gatehouses as well. Originally, the main entrance to the village faced north and it was only relocated to achieve better feng shui. You can then notice old well behind the gates, which used to serve as water supply for the wai.Behind the wall, take a look of the traditional low houses which still have people living in. This area is not open to public, so just take a discrete glimpse and leave. Full restoration was undertaken between 1998 and 1999 and remained faitful to use of traditional...

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Ma Wat Wai.Lung Yeuk Tau trail. Fanling

by picek

Only walls (more precisely, what is left of them) of the enclosure still stand for that 'wai' and entrance gate is protected monument since 1994. Originally it was built by Tang clan in 17th century, and it stands close to Lo Wai – to the northwest. Entry gate faces north, the houses were built in rows and main corridor ends in communal altar. The gatehouse has gun platform upon the gates, and they get closed by strong wrought iron from two sides, which allows air circulation (the gates were open when we were there, but you can see it).It is unfortunate that newer buildings inside are of completely different style, material and built taller than walls themselves, which doesn't fit exactly into historic context of walled village. When I took short walk between the walls, I saw only a few old traditional low houses left here. A bit disappointing experience, so if you want to see good...

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Tung Kok Wai.Lung Yeuk Tau trail. Fanling

by picek

Antoher 'wai' or walled village worth a short stop. It was established by 13th century by ancestor Tang Lung-Kong, and name stands for Eastern Walled Village, because it stands east of Lung Yeuk tau area.It stands on an elevated platform which protects it from floods that could occasionally happen in that area; you will notice the difference between your standing point from outside and the interior. In past, the village had been enclosed by the moat and brick towers at its four corners – and one of the original towers by the main gate had been reconstructed in 1953 and keeps good shape until today. Inside that tower, remains of ancient temple can be traced from red sandstone columns. Houses behind the wall were divided into four rows, and facades face mainly to northwest.When we visited there were not many people around, except eldery lady who handwashed clothes right of the gate tower –...

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Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall, Fanling

by picek

Next to Tin Hau Temple stands Tang Chung Ling ancestral hall, beautiful piece of architecture which belongs to Tang clan of Llung Yeuk Tau and stands out with simple black walls, whose been decorated with fine wood carvings, colored relief features and mural paintings – in the shade, right under the roof so you need to look up; all these details alone are done in very fine manner and deserve extra attention. In paintings you will see men indulging into conversation, beautiful Chinese landscapes and flowers and fine caligraphy. The plastic relief will show another types of landscape, mostly with animals and flowers, somehow standing individually or as part of broader story. Here and then, scenes with men appear on separate level, like manhood being different from the world of eternal, their expressions belonging to this world. Yes, it may take you to another level of understanding… and...

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HK Planning and Infrastructure Gallery

by picek

This is the place to visit if you're interested in city planning and infrastructure - especially for models and presentations. Its worth to take a look at direction which HK is going to.Six main sections at the gallery are: Imprint, Hong Kong 2030, New Kai Tak, Transport & Logistics, Sustainable Development and Living Environment. There are few models of these proposals - bridges, city quarters, 3 D presentation of sevage system: the construction processes and size were - very impressive! You can now learn what happens with all that waste water, and where does it actually travel to. See also large scale model of HK with land use division. It would be even more helpful if you had maps from earlier times so that you could really compare - HK is one of the fastest growing metropolises, and the land reclamations and changes had been very evident. From numerous construction sites you can only...

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these boats are made for living...

by picek

If you're walking along the shore of Victoria harbour on HK Island, a little further from Wanchai promenade and you pass Royal yacht club… you will get the chance to see the boats used for living by some local families. No, not luxurious boats… these are simple and look tradtional, and are small yet nice and decorated with many Chinese good luck symbols. An unusal place to be… with Causway bay district behind and its most expensive real estate in Hong Kong (well, may as well be in the world).Why I am writing this then? Because those 'boat houses' are vanishing from shores by the centre, it seems. You can see them a few here, other may be well hidden in some of more peaceful remote bays and harbours, somewhere nicer perhaps. Although we walked extensively by the waterfronts on both sides of Victoria harbour we couldn't see those boats real often. Just here and there. Must they all go away...

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Tin Hau Temple on heritage trail

by picek

This small temple is located between Lo Wai walled village and Tang Chung Ling Ancestral hall, a little bit behind it and it's one of the best preserved traditional buildings of religious architecture along Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail. According to the old people the temple was constructed before ancestral hall (from early 16th century), but the date is not known. In 1913 and 1981 it was fully restored and kept its traditional form and decoration.The main hall is devoted to the worship of Tin Hau, who is protector of fishermen and popular deity and her guards. One of them is Chin Lei Ngan who has eyes to see things many li (1 li is about 0,5 kilometers) away. Another guard is Shun Fung Yi who has ear to hear sounds as far away as from heaven. In side hall there is Kam Fa, godess of childbirth.As it is part of heritage trail you can take MTR East rail line to Lo Wu direction and exit at...

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urban gardens in front of Wing On Plaza

by picek

This is interesting and contemporary design of a roof top garden near East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station and has been built few years ago on the roof upon bus terminus by Wing On Plaza. It provides interesting place to sit down, some nice views of the area and it's everything a little bit quiet here. The terrace is airy and has light shadow and interestingly shaped roofs and a large rock-like structure to diversify the place. Here there are also small fountain and few lawns with ornamental bushes and grasses, somewhat in irregular geometric patterns. It is a place to explore on a nice sunny day but it can be a bit windy too, because it's open towards the sea.Another interesting feature are its footbridges - one takes to right upon East TST MTR station (another roof top public place with nice playground, toilets and a tai ji court) and other takes you to waterfront promenade. It's in the...

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shadows of the gardens

by picek

This place invites to sit down in the shade and to take a rest while watching people or reading a newspaper. It is Urban Council Centenary Garden, the example of good modern urban design and a place frequented by locals as I could see... and tourists staying in nearby hotels.It has been recently renovated and you can find it between Regal Kowloon Hotel and South Seas Centre on Mody road (in Tsim Sha Tsui East area). It further extends into Mody Road Garden with some additional wooden pavement and footbrige over the area into Salisbury road (and waterfront promenade) which is great to take for some aviary views over the place.It is a plus that there are many trees which have been taken somehow individually and they provide nice shadow and protection from the winds. Interesting place, have a look.

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Take a hike!

by leigh767

If you're getting fed up with the endless hustle and bustle of the city, Hong Kong has several places that can offer some peace and quiet. Take a hike on one of the many mountains around or simply go to Stanley for a view of the open water and beach as you shop. For hikes, I like the Sai Kung area in the New Territories. The Sai Kung West Country Park in particular is a great expanse of undulating hills that locals love to visit on the weekends for picnic/camping/cycling/insert your favourite outdoor activity here. If you're lucky (and quiet), you could also spot some animals like the Leopard Cat (looks exactly as its name sugggests)GETTING THEREThere're LOADS of areas you could explore here! But if you want to go try the Tai Tan Country Trail or the Cheung Sheung Country Trail, go to Sai Kung Market and take minibus no. 7 to Hoi Ha Road. Get off at Hau Tong Kai. Happy trekking!

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hello, WE are going to spend 5 days in HK and first I was taken with this idea, but now I'm quite interrotagive. Cause we're... 

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A: Historical landmarks - the first that came to my mind is the former supreme court house in the colonial era, right in the middle of Central. In Wanchai, there is the... 

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