Picture the tranquil Ho Chung River. It meanders through the heart of Ho Chung village a picturesque settlement on the Sai Kung Peninsula. Ho Chung’s history stretches back centuries. Archaeological evidence reveals a Neolithic stone-working site discovered in 1999. The village itself likely originated in the mid-16th century.
Ho Chung wasn’t just a solitary village. It was the hub of a larger community the Ho Chung Tung or Ho Chung Seven Villages. This group shared ownership of the magnificent Che Kung Temple a Grade I Historic Building. Other villages in this grouping included Nam Pin Wai Mok Tse Che and Tai Lam Wu. Shek Pok Wai an offshoot of Ho Chung also belonged to this network.
Imagine life in Ho Chung in 1911. The census recorded 418 residents 159 of them men. Nearby Shek Pok Wai had a much smaller population just 13 people four of them men. Austin Coates writing in 1955 described Nam Pin Wai as a Cantonese hamlet under Ho Chung’s wing. This paints a picture of a close-knit community with a strong sense of shared identity.
Ho Chung wasn’t just about farming and fishing. Industrial activity was also important. Lee Kum Kee once operated an oyster and soy sauce factory here. A Lee Seng Heng fish sauce factory stood nearby. Both closed between 1996 and 1999. A former multistory dye works now stands as a reminder of Ho Chung’s industrial past. This building was also used as an Asia Television studio.
Today Ho Chung retains its charm. The Che Kung Temple continues to stand as a testament to the village’s rich history. The Chan Ancestral Hall a Grade III Historic Building built around the 1850s is another site of significance. It offers a glimpse into the lives and traditions of Ho Chung’s ancestors. Explore Ho Chung and you’ll discover a place where history and nature intertwine creating a unique and unforgettable experience.