Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
thick fortified wall. Unfortunately, it's not open to the public. Admire the exterior, before
carrying on to the more welcoming villages of
Tung Kok Wai
to the northeast and
Sun Wai
towards the northern end of the trail.
Other attractions here include the
Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall
and the adjacent
Tin
Hau temple
. The ancestral hall was built during the Ming dynasty and the dragon motif that
you'll see on some of the spirit tablets inside the building was a symbol of the clan's royal
status. The temple houses two bronze bells; one is from 1695, the other, 1700.
Shek Lo
, lit-
erally 'stone cottage' and built in 1925, is an eclectic mix of colonial and traditional Chinese
architectural styles. The cottage appears to be permanently locked, but it can be seen clearly
from the east of
Tsung Kyam church
, the start of the trail.
To get there from Fanling East Rail station (Exit C), take the green minibus 54K and ask
to be dropped at Tsung Kyam church (Shun Him Tong in Cantonese).
WORTH A DETOUR
SHA TAU KOK
An off-limit frontier area for over 60 years, Sha Tau Kok (), which lies 11km northeast
of Fanling, was sealed off from the rest of Hong Kong in 1951 following the Communist
takeover of China. While access to the border town itself is still restricted to local res-
idents, the 400 hectares of land - and the patchwork of time-warped villages that it
contains - to the west and southwest were partially reopened in February 2012.
Tam Sh
illage (), the village right next to the frontier checkpoint, is worth a
wee wander. It has a cluster of old and new village houses and several intact ancestral
halls. To the northeast, WWII buffs may want to venture out to the rolling hills behind
Shan Tsui Village to look for a group of Japanese p
m Shui Ha
ui Hang V
g Villa
illboxes (). From Tam Shui Hang Vil-
lage, walk north (200m) to the antiquated Kwan Ah Sch
e pillb
n Ah Schoool (), identifiable by a basket-
ball court in front of it. Pass the Pak K
g shriine and descend to Shan Tsui Village.
From here, take the path to your left and walk uphill for five minutes, and you'll see
some trenches that will lead you to the pillboxes.
There are at least six pillboxes hidden in the mountains but the trails are not well
marked. If you want to go further off the beaten path, the villagers may have some in-
teresting pointers.
Bus 78K or green minibus 55K from Landmark North shopping centre in Sheung
Shui take you to Sha Tau Kok. When you arrive at the frontier checkpoint, the friendly
police will signal you to get off.
ak Kuung sh
