Tuesday, April 3, 2012

From Sam A Tsuen to Lai Chi Wo (Photo-essay)


As I noted a couple of weeks back, the first Chinese New Year that I spent in Hong Kong, two friends and I went on a northeastern New Territories hike (see here, here and here) whose first half I covered again some three years later with two other friends. But the second time around that I was in that part of Hong Kong where not that many people venture into these days, my party didn't turn back to Wu Kau Tang after we got to Sam A Tsuen

Instead, after a short stop for a nice meal -- and a look at the accommodations on offer -- at Fook Lee Teahouse, we pressed ahead to the once prosperous, nearly four century old Hakka walled village of Lai Chi Wo -- a place I've wanted to visit for some time now...

As the sign shows, Lai Chi Wo is just 2 kilometers -- and 
Wu Kau Tang only 5 1/4 kilometers -- away from Sam A Tsuen

Judging from the graves located nearby, Sam A Tsuen
used to be a more populated -- and prosperous --
village than it is these days too

Deep in the heart of the Hong Kong countryside,
people do things like keep bees

Along the way to Lai Chi Wo, near Siu Tan,
lies this abandoned but still physically impressive house   

From this part of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (and 
thus Mainland China) is visible across the water

Instead of proceeding directly to Lai Chi Wo, we detoured
up a hill from where we got good views of such as 
Yan Chau Tong Marine Park and some nearby islands

Also viewable from the hill was the village 
of Lai Chi Wo and its green surroundings

fung shui woods in the background

To be continued... for yes, there still is at least one more photo-essay still to be assembled from photos taken on this hike! :b

4 comments:

ewaffle said...

Nice story about Lai Chi Wo village and the fung shui woods. Do you know if the fung shui wall that (possibly) made possible the prosperity of the villagers is still standing? It looks like there is a fence in the photo but not really a wall.

YTSL said...

Hi ewaffle --

At least part of the fung shui wall is standing. Re the wall: look beyond the fence in the bottom photo. See a gateway? If so, you will also see the wall connected to it. :)

Emilie said...

You give me so many exploring ideas... but the weather has been so depressing this holiday. I bet it will get sunny as soon as it's time to go back to work!

YTSL said...

Hi Emilie --

Actually, Sunday had gray skies but was nice and cool and today looked good. So... did you do much exploring these past few days? :b