Aroma fills the air. That’s Heung Yuen Wai Village. We are here to explore its history. This village stands in Ta Kwu Ling, North District, Hong Kong. It’s a walled village with a story that stretches back centuries.
Heung Yuen Wai Village was established around 1825 by the Man clan. This village appears on old maps dating back to 1866. The “Map of the San-On District” shows its presence. Simeone Volonteri published this map. Heung Yuen Wai has deep roots in this land.
Road access to Heung Yuen Wai requires a journey. You must travel via Lin Ma Hang Road. This route connects from Ping Che Road or Heung Yuen Wai Highway. This is how you reach this historic village.
Let’s delve into Heung Yuen Wai’s past. More than 300 years ago, the Man clan settled near the Shenzhen River. They named their village Liantang. It was named after a lotus pond. As the population grew, some crossed the river. They planted camphor trees. The new settlement became Heung Yuen Wai, meaning “fragrant garden walled”.
The scent of camphor trees still lingers today. These trees form a green dome over the village. Their trunks are thick. It takes several people to encircle them. The aroma is a constant reminder of the village’s history.
Heung Yuen Wai once flourished with over 300 inhabitants. But the establishment of the Frontier Closed Area changed things. Inconvenient transportation led to economic decline. The population shrank to less than 50. Most residents were elderly.
Man Sauping, an 85-year-old born in Heung Yuen Wai Village, remembered a wooden bridge from his childhood. It connected the village to the other side of the river. He proposed a new control point in Ta Kwu Ling to the British Hong Kong authorities. He hoped to boost regional development. His suggestion was close to the current Heung Yuen Wai Control Point.
After Hong Kong’s return to the mainland, cross-boundary traffic increased. A new control point was needed. It was put on the agenda. The Liantang Port/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point became a reality. It is the seventh land-based control point between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
The control point stretches across the Shenzhen River. It has facilities for travelers and cargo. It implements a “one stop, one inspection, and one release” policy. This shortens customs clearance time. The port can handle 30,000 passengers and 17,850 vehicles a day.
The opening of the Heung Yuen Wai Control Point has brought changes. It is the first control point in Hong Kong to provide direct access for passengers and vehicles. It is a key project for Guangdong-Hong Kong cooperation. It serves as important infrastructure for cargo transportation.
Today, Heung Yuen Wai stands as a testament to resilience. It connects the past with the future. The village has evolved. It has adapted to changing times. The aroma of camphor trees still fills the air. It reminds us of its enduring spirit.
Heung Yuen Wai is more than just a village. It is a story of family. It is a story of perseverance. It is a story of connection. It is a vital part of Hong Kong’s rich tapestry.