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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, visited the North district today (September 27) and toured the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail in Fanling, which is of unique historical value, to better understand the conservation of Chinese traditional architecture and rural village life.
Accompanied by the North District Officer, Mr Johann Wong, Mr Tsang visited the Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall on the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail.
Lung Yeuk Tau is the settlement of one of the largest clans, the Tangs, in the New Territories. The hall was originally built in the early 16th century to honour the founding ancestor, Tang Chung-ling, and has since then been the main ancestral hall of the Tangs of the Lung Yuek Tau lineage. Its decorations display superb craftsmanship and it was declared a monument in November, 1997.
Mr Tsang then toured another historical building on the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail, the Tin Hau Temple, and an old walled village in the area, Lo Wai.
In the Tin Hau Temple, there are two iron bells - one cast in 1695 and the other in 1700. Lo Wai is the earliest walled village built by the Tang clan in the area and its narrow entrance gates and walls have retained their historic appearance. It was declared a monument in January, 1997, and underwent full restoration works in 1998 and 1999 with the financial support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Fund.
Being briefed by staff from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on Chinese traditional architecture and customs of the agrarian villages of the Tang clan, Mr Tsang said: "The community is increasingly concerned about heritage conservation. Buildings and the traditional way of life in some of the rural areas in Hong Kong have been kept fairly intact. I am pleased that the restoration work at Lung Yeuk Tau has been making satisfactory progress, facilitating the conservation and continuation of these unique buildings and customs of great historical and cultural value."
He then went to Wing Ning Tsuen at Lung Yeuk Tau and saw the drainage and floor improvement works there. Sui Wan Road at Wing Ning Tsuen is part of the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail. Owing to the large number of tourists flocking to the trail for the various declared monuments, the North District Office carried out improvement works, including paving the uneven floor, building an appropriate drainage system and constructing a Chinese-style pavilion. Completed in October last year, these works benefit around 2000 local residents and tourists.
Mr Tsang said after the visit that the Government placed high importance on providing support facilities in the rural areas, especially tourism-related facilities, and the relevant departments would continue their efforts in this direction.
Today he also visited a farm for the elderly at Tan Chuk Hang in Fanling, set up by the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association in 2002. The farm is managed and operated by a group of elderly people keen on organic farming and now has nearly 100 elderly volunteers.
The Chief Executive had tea with the volunteers and commended the concept of an elderly farm which allowed meaningful use of rural lands and encouraged healthy, environmental-friendly lifestyle. The image of the elderly as being actively engaged can also be promoted.
In concluding today's visit, Mr Tsang said: "The North district is a relatively vast one of the 18 districts in Hong Kong. Some of its areas have their traditional rural characteristics well-preserved. Whether in heritage conservation, improving the environment or enhancing support facilities, the Government will continue its endeavours to make the community a more vibrant one."
Ends/Thursday, September 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:37
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