The Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall in Kam Tsin Village
The Kam Tsin Village is a village close to the northwestern edge of the Fanling Golf Course in Sheung Shui. Kam Tsin, in Cantonese, means money. Indeed, my first impression of Kam Tsin Village was that this is a well to do village. From what I could observe, the houses were well-maintained, and there was no rundown squatter homes. Not least, there is a grand façade marking the entrance to the village as well.
The History of the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall
The Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall celebrates Hau Mei-fung, who was a student of the Imperial Academy. The Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall was built in the late 18th century, in around the late reign of the Yongzheng and early reign of Qianlong emperors of the Qing dynasty. Like so many other ancestral halls in the New Territories villages, the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall served chiefly the purpose of providing a place for family conferences (besides ancestral worship) for the descendants of Hau Mei-fung in the village.
It is said that Sir Robert Hotung had once lived in this ancestral hall. Sir Robert Hotung is generally a celebrated figure in this part of the New Territories. Indeed, the kindergarten in the village (just a stone’s throw away from the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall) is named after him. Unlike so, so many other village kindergartens, the Kam Tsin Village Ho Tung Kindergarten is still running. Judging from its appearance, I think it can be safely assumed that it is also in good hands.
Over its long history, the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall was once a private study, a mill, a candle and rattan workshop. In 2000, its roof collapsed after years of disrepairs, and with money from the Hong Kong Government, the villagers restored the Ancestral Hall to its former glory.
The Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall is a Declared Monument since 2019.
The Architectural Features of the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall
Photo: the two red columns by the side chambers are the single most precious material in the whole structure, of red sandstone.
According to the descriptions on site, “The ancestral hall is a typical Qing vernacular two-hall three-bay building with an internal courtyard flanked by two side chambers… The rear hall is fronted by a porch with humpbacked roof, which is a feature rarely seen in traditional Chinese buildings in Hong Kong.”
Needless to say, the wood carving decorations on the structural timberwork are beautiful. They typically depict auspicious objects, such as animals and flowers, with auspicious wordings. Some show famous folklores in traditional Chinese culture as well.
The villager there told me that the internal eaves columns made of red sandstone was the single most precious structure in the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall. They were very expensive during the time that the hall was built. The lattice window on the side chambers show the auspicious patterns of ancient Chinese copper cash made in porcelain. This restored feature was the work of Beijing craftsmen, as I was told.
The Lantern-Lighting Ritual
On this ninth day of the Lunar New Year in 2024, I visited the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall and ran into the preparations for the Lantern-Lighting Ritual. I asked about this ritual and the villagers there told me that it is an occasion to celebrate the newly-born in the village.
Typically, the Lantern-Lighting Ritual takes place annually for all the children born in the past year. Because of the pandemic, the Lantern-Lighting Ritual had ceased for a few years. This would be the first time since the pandemic that the ceremony is held again in Kam Tsin. They are celebrating the births of 16 children born in those years.
It is interesting to note that only the male members of the descendants born are celebrated in the Lantern-Lighting Ritual. Although this fact suggests that preferences are given to boys (and certainly, there is such perception even now), the plaque displayed at the Ancestral Hall has presented a narrative that is inclusive of women’s role in the Mei Fung clan of the Hau’s. In all descriptions of critical, revered ancestors, there is a mention of their spouses’ names and dates deceased.
How to Get There
From the Sheung Shui MTR station, get on Bus Route 76K toward Long Ping. The bus stop is in Choi Yuen Estate. Get off at the Chung Pak Long Station.
After getting off, keep on going (toward the Yuen Long direction, meaning the direction that your bus heads off), and within ten seconds you come to Kam Tsin Road.
You will see the enormous façade that marks the entrance to the village. Go through this part of the village. At the first road on your left, enter the village and keep on going on this road.
Photo: On the first road to your left after passing the village entrance, you will enter the village. Keep on going on this paved road.
At this point, make a right.
At this point, make a right, and you will see a pond.
Walk pass the pond.
On your left, before you arrive at the public toilets and the Kam Tsing Village Ho Tung Kindergarten, you will see the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall.
Photo: at this point, make a left (you can see the roof of the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall on the left side of this picture)
Sources
Descriptions on site at the Hau Mei Fung Ancestral Hall.