Rising before you is Tai Che Tung. This village is in Sha Tin District, Hong Kong. Let’s delve into its story.
Tai Che is a recognized village. This recognition comes under the New Territories Small House Policy. It is a small but historically significant place.
In 1911, a census was taken. At that time, Tai Che had a population of only 18 people. Seven of them were males. Imagine life in Tai Che over a century ago.
The Tung O Ancient Trail is close to Tai Che. It was once vital for villagers. They traveled between Tung Chung and Tai O. The trail has many historical imprints.
Lantau has relics of early human activity. The Tung O Ancient Trail witnessed Hong Kong’s development. It stretches over 10 kilometers. The trail passes through San Tau and Sha Lo Wan. It ends in Tai O.
Sham Shek Tsuen is along the way. It saw Hong Kong’s post-war agricultural development. Many refugees came here after the war. The District Office South and KAAA supported them.
The Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association helped villagers. They built irrigation ditches and underground channels. These collected water for farmlands. A tablet in Sham Shek Tsuen tells this story. It mentions David Ronald Holmes and James William Hayes. They supported the water system in the 1950s.
Farm sheds and pigpens have “KAAA” on them. This shows the KAAA funded them. The KAAA also gave farmers loans. They provided seeds and animals. Ma Wan Chung and Tai O had similar facilities. Sham Shek Tsuen had the most KAAA relics.
The Sustainable Lantau Office studies villages. They aim to create a database. This will identify sites for revitalization. The first study focused on villages along the Tung O Ancient Trail. It started in November 2019.
The SLO invites experts for conservation strategies. They also seek public input. They want to improve villagers’ lives. They promote sustainable community development.
The government balances development and conservation. They enhance Lantau’s environment and heritage. This follows sustainable development principles. Tai Che’s history is intertwined with this area. It is a story of resilience and change. Tai Che Tung stands as a reminder. It echoes a bygone era. Its past shapes the present.