Ping Shan

Ping Shan (zh-t|t=屏山) is an area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It is located west of Yuen Long Town and Shui Pin Wai, and south of Tin Shui Wai. Administratively, it is part of Yuen Long District.

Although sandwiched between Yuen Long New Town and Tin Shui Wai New Town, the area remains largely rural and villages spreads in the area. Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda and sea shore was once splendid picture surviving till early twentieth century. Ping Shan later became landlocked due to sedimentation along the estuary in water north.

ights

The was opened on 12 December, 1993. It includes following historic buildings:

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It is Hong Kong's only ancient pagoda. The name in Chinese means "Pagoda of Gathering Stars". It became a Declared monument on December 2001.

The Pagoda was built by Tang Yin-tung, the seventh generation ancestor, more than 600 years ago according to the genealogy of the Tang clan of Ping Shan. Oral history indicates the pagoda was originally a five-storey hexagonal-shaped green-brick structure, but was damaged due to strong weather. At present it is a three-storey structure and it is about thirteen metres high. On the top floor, a statue of Fui Shing (Champion Star) is worshipped.

The pagoda was built to improve fung shui of the locality so that flooding disasters were prevented to the village. It was also believed that its auspicious location, which is in alignment with Castle Peak, would ensure success for clan members in the Imperial Civil Service Examination. In fact, the Tang clan of Ping Shan has produced numerous scholars and officials.

It is one of the largest ancestral halls in the territory.

It was constructed by Tang Fung-shun, the fifth generation ancestor of Tang Clan about 700 years ago. It is the main ancestral hall of the Tang clan of Ping Shan. It is a three-hall structure with two internal courtyards. The wooden brackets and beams of the three halls are carved with auspicious Chinese motifs. Shiwan dragon-fish and pottery unicorns decorate the main ridges and roofs.

There are ancestral tablets at the altar at the rear hall.

This ancestral hall is still used regularly for worship and celebrations of traditional festivals and ceremonies, as well as a meeting place for the Tang clan of Ping Shan.

Yu Kiu Ancestral Hall is situated adjacent to Tang Ancestral Hall, both declared monuments on December 2001. There are three halls and two internal courtyards in the compound. The layout and design of Yu Kiu Ancestral Hall is the same as Tang Ancestral Hall.

It was built in the early sixteenth century by two eleventh generation brothers of the Tang clan of Ping Shan: Tang Sai-yin (alias Yu-sing) and Tang Sai-chiu (alias Kiu-lum). Apart from serving as an ancestral hall, the building was also used as a teaching hall for youngsters of Ping Shan. It was occupied by a primary School from 1931 to 1961. During the Guangzu reign (1875-1908) of Qing dynasty, The last major renovation of the building probably took place; it was indicated by the engraved characters on the stone tablet above the main entrance.

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Sau Choi Mansion is a 160 years old mansion, handed down through six generations.As its former residents, Tang Shut-hing and Tang Tai-shing obtained the official posts through imperial civil service examination, the house is now called Sau Choi Mansion [ Antiquities and Monuments Office.2004(DEC)."Heritage Hong Kong"(14)]

The house was refurnished and now houses relics and information Tang clan.Tours are able to be arranged on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

* Sheung Cheung Wai, a walled village
* Kun Ting Study Hall - built for students preparing for the imperial civil service examination. It is a Grade I historical building.
* Hung Shing Temple
* Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery cum Heritage Trail Visitors Centre
* Yeung Hau Temple
* several other Chinese buildings.

Transport

Ping Shan is served by the Tin Shui Wai Station of the HK-MTR lines|West Rail and several stations of the HK-MTR lines|Light Rail. There is a station named "Ping Shan".

Light Rail Routes

*610: To Yuen Long Terminus at platform 1 ; Tuen Mun Ferry Pier (via Tai Hing North and Tai Hing South) at platform 2

*614: To Yuen Long Terminus at platform 1 ; Tuen Mun Ferry Pier (via Prime View) at platform 2

*615: To Yuen Long Terminus at platform 1 ; Tuen Mun Ferry Pier (via Leung King) at platform 2

*761P: To Yuen Long Terminus at platform 1 ; Tin Yat at platform 2

ee also

* Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail, in Fanling

References

External links

* [http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/trails_pingshan.php Ping Shan Heritage Trail]
* [http://www.pingshan.com Sau Choi Mansion]
* [http://www.hkoutdoors.com/new-territories/ping-shan-trail.html Ping Shan Heritage Trail photos and info] - covers a walk along the trail, with photos en route.