Question: What if a village could tell tales of resilience, relocation, and a unique blend of old and new? That place is Chung Mei Lo Uk Village. It stands as one of the oldest villages in Tsing Yi.
Each village in Tsing Yi has a history of at least 200 years. Chung Mei Lo Uk Village is estimated to have merged. It moved to its current location around the 1970s and 1980s. This was due to land reclamation.
Originally, Chung Mei was not in this location. It was in the valley at the present-day Lam Tin Resite Village. That was below Tiger’s Head. Chung Mei was actually two villages then. There was Ha Chung Mei or lower Chung Mei. There was also Sheung Chung Mei or upper Chung Mei. Ha Chung Mei was near the Tsing Yi Lagoon. Sheung Chung Mei was higher in the valley.
In the 1980s, the villages were forced to relocate. This was due to the expansion of Tsuen Wan New Town. The original Chung Mei and its surroundings were flattened. They were reclaimed to re-site four villages on Tsing Yi Island. Chung Mei combined with Lo Uk. It relocated east to higher ground above Sheung Ko Tan. The re-sited village was named Chung Mei Lo Uk Tsuen.
The houses in Chung Mei Lo Uk Village typically have three floors. Many families have grilles on their balconies. These grilles are there to prevent theft.
Chung Mei is more than just a village. It is also a market. You can find various shops and stores here. Some sell clothes at low prices. Others offer traditional snacks. You can also easily find restaurants and salons around the village.
The inhabitants were mainly from the Chan and Tang families. There are two ancestral halls in the area now. Both belong to the Chan family. The Tang family’s ancestral hall is not found here.
The relationship between residents and shop owners is very close. They often chat. They share details about their daily lives. This shows the strong bonds within the village.
The name Chung Mei means the end of a stream in Cantonese. It might refer to the stream of Liu To. It could be a shorter stream near the former village sites. Both streams are near the Tsing Yi Lagoon.
Today, Chung Mei commonly refers to its present site. It includes the surrounding villages. It is more than just its former location. The village stands as a testament to the past. It also embraces the present with its market and community. Chung Mei Lo Uk Village offers a unique glimpse into Hong Kong’s living history.