Journey back a thousand years. The year is not important. We are standing in Chau Tau. This village whispers tales of a long and rich past.
Chau Tau is a village in Hong Kong. It sits in the San Tin area of Yuen Long District. Listen closely. The stories of Chau Tau are about to unfold.
Chau Tau is near Lok Ma Chau. A new railway connects it to mainland China. This is the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line. It is a modern addition to an ancient place.
The Man clan largely populates Chau Tau. This clan is important to the village’s identity. Their ancestors shaped Chau Tau over generations. Now you know whose village we are standing in.
Chau Tau is a recognized village. This recognition comes from the New Territories Small House Policy. This policy acknowledges Chau Tau’s unique status.
Chau Tau Tsuen lies in the San Tin area. It is part of the Yuen Long District. This area is steeped in history and tradition. We will follow in the old footsteps now.
Chau Tau Tsuen is close to Lok Ma Chau. Transportation is convenient. You can take a train to Sheung Shui station. Then hop on the 76K or 276B bus. Get off at San Tin Public Transport Interchange. Walk along Castle Peak Road. In about seven minutes, you’ll reach the Chau Tau Tsuen Archway. The gateway to a different time.
Chau Tau Tsuen is a large old village. It has over 1000 villagers. Only about 300 live here permanently. However, they are the village’s heart.
The Man clan is one of the Five Great Clans. They are in the New Territories. Their history stretches back a thousand years. Chau Tau is their ancestral home.
Chau Tau Tsuen is over a thousand years old. The village is full of historical value. It is worth discovering more about. Let’s go to explore the old streets.
The village has vestiges of old days. There is an ancestral hall and old buildings. Old-style cooking utensils are still well-preserved. These relics offer a glimpse into the past.
Farmlands surround Chau Tau. Agricultural activities continue. Some villagers still depend on farming for a living. They keep traditions alive.
Sau Fan is a traditional village snack. Chau Tau Tsuen villagers preserve it. It is a unique cultural heritage. It is an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong. A taste of old times we unfortunately can’t enjoy now.
New houses and roads appear in Chau Tau. Modern designs reach four stories high. The village is changing. A question of how much is too much.
Some original residents sold their houses. Property developers and others moved in. Not all residents are from the Man clan anymore. The population is slowly decreasing.
The size and number of farmlands reduce. Economic development takes its toll. Some agricultural areas become residential or commercial. Fewer young people become farmers. An ongoing worrying tendency everywhere.
Ms. Wong is a villager of Chau Tau Tsuen. She organizes a teaching class of Sau Fan. She introduces its background and other traditional snacks. Participants actively join in the making process. A sweet piece of tradition.
Rice flour and glutinous rice flour are needed. Add water, sugar, and chopped peanuts. Mix the flours with water in a 1:1:1 ratio. Sift the mixture. Cover one-third of a mold. Fry the peanuts. Add sugar. Put two teaspoons on top of the flour. Sift the remaining flour. Flatten the surface. Place baking paper on top. Steam for 20 minutes. Remove the mold. Steam for 10 more minutes. Enjoy the yummy Sau Fan.
Chau Tau has evolved but keeps its spirit. The Sau Fan tradition embodies its heart. The village welcomes you to witness its story.