Observe the tapestry of green before you. This is the view from Lai Chi Wo Viewing Point. It overlooks a village with a history stretching back centuries. Lai Chi Wo is more than just a village. It’s a testament to Hong Kong’s rural past and a model for its future.
Lai Chi Wo is part of Hong Kong Global Geopark. It showcases Hong Kong’s best-preserved Hakka walled village. The village boasts an intact woodland. The village began in the 17th century. Two Hakka clans founded it. They were the Tsangs and the Wongs. The Tsangs’ ancestors came from Shandong in northern China. The Wongs’ founding ancestor came from Dongguan. He was a Ming Dynasty commander.
Imagine Lai Chi Wo in its prime. It once fed over a thousand villagers. Farmlands stretched up to the hilltop. The village thrived on agriculture. But times changed. Many villagers emigrated in the 1950s to 70s. They sought opportunities in the United Kingdom and Europe. The agricultural market became increasingly competitive. Farmlands lay abandoned and silent.
Look around at the crescent-shaped wood behind the village. This forest isn’t just for show. It’s integral to feng shui. Locals believe the backing of a forest brings good luck. Thickly grown trees also create a natural barrier. This protects the village.
Notice the unique trees in the village. There are old banyans. There are looking-glass mangroves. Their buttress roots form lace-like patterns. Follow the stream out of the village. You might spot the white-flower Derris. This climbing vine has long, supple branches. Be cautious though. It’s a poisonous plant. Crushed roots can stun fish and act as insecticide.
However, Lai Chi Wo is experiencing a revival. Villagers and conservationists are working together. They are restoring the village. Rice and vegetables are growing again. Pig and cow sheds have been rebuilt. Old village houses are becoming education centers and holiday homes.
Since 2013, the Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Programme started. It involves agricultural rehabilitation and community revitalization. Biodiversity research and rural education are also included. In 2021, the Lai Chi Wo Rural Cultural Landscape won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award. It was awarded for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Lai Chi Wo is located near Plover Cove Country Park. It is surrounded by mountains and sea. Lai Chi Wo’s environment houses diverse habitats. You will find mature Fung Shui wood and secondary forest here. There is also shrubland, freshwater streams and agricultural wetland. Mangroves, mud flats, rocky shores and inner sea provide the perfect mix. These habitats support many living organisms. They offer rich ecological resources.
Consider a visit to Lai Chi Wo. A ferry departs from Ma Liu Shui Pier on Sundays and public holidays. You can also hike from Wu Kau Tang or Luk Keng. Remember to explore Foo’s Cafe. Remember Lai Chi Wo. It’s a place where history and nature meet.