What if I told you that a place exists in Hong Kong where time seems to slow down? That place is Kam Tin. It is an area steeped in history and punctuated by vibrant modernity. Kam Tin, or Kam Tin Heung, lies on a flat alluvial plain. This plain sits north of Tai Mo Shan mountain. It is also east of Yuen Long town.
Kam Tin was once known as Sham Tin. Today, it forms part of the Yuen Long District. Many Kam Tin residents belong to the Tang Clan. The Tang Clan is one of the biggest indigenous clans in Hong Kong. The ancestor of the Tang Clan, Tang Hon Fat, settled his family here in 973. He moved from Jiangxi to Sham Tin. During the reign of the Wanli Emperor, Sham Tin was renamed Kam Tin. This renaming occurred during the Ming Dynasty.
Kam Tin is dotted with villages. Kat Hing Wai is the most famous walled village. It features narrow row-houses and temples separated by small alleys. The wall was built to protect against pirates and bandits. They were common in the area a millennium ago. Kat Hing Wai was also the site of a rebellion against British rule in 1899.
The Yi Tai study hall is another notable feature in Kam Tin. It was built by the Tangs. Local students used it to study for civil service qualifications. The hall also houses a temple to Man Cheung, the god of study. In Fung Kat Heung village stands the residence of Shen Hongying. He was a Chinese general in the Old Guangxi Clique. His residence is a modern version of a Hakka house. It is known as General House. The Antiquities Advisory Board has declared it a Grade II historic building.
Also in Fung Kat Heung is Miu Kok Yuen. It is a Buddhist nunnery and communal martyrs’ grave. The Tang clan of Kam Tin built it in 1936. It commemorates those who died fighting against British colonial rule in the Six-Day War of 1899. This grave is the largest in the New Territories. Elders insist it contains at least 100 dead. Nuns pray for the souls of the dead three times a day. The grave was restored in 1996.
Adding a splash of colour to Kam Tin is the Kam Tin Village Mural Project. Art teacher Jess Kwok led this initiative. She recruited local creatives to paint murals on walls around Kam Tin Village. These murals have transformed the quiet community. They bring residents together. They also offer visitors a playful scavenger hunt.
For a taste of rural life, visit Go Green Organic Farm. This farm specializes in pineapples and llama-petting. It is popular for its family-friendly workshops and fruit-picking sessions. The farm’s four alpacas are a major attraction. You can also pick strawberries at Kam Tin Country Club’s strawberry farm. Fruitful Organic Farm offers even more fruit and vegetable-picking opportunities.
The Kam Tin Tree House is another unique attraction. A banyan tree has swallowed up a stone house here. Local legends surround this abandoned structure. The Tang Kwong U Ancestral Hall and the Yi Tai Study Hall are also worth visiting. They showcase the area’s rich history.
When hunger strikes, Kok Kok offers flavorful Thai cuisine. CoHee Studio serves artisanal roasts and specialty coffees. Takashi specializes in teppanyaki tasting menus. O Veg offers a rustic, vegetarian dining experience. Wealth Banquet is a popular dim sum restaurant. K&K offers a homely dining experience with a fusion menu.
Before you leave Kam Tin, explore the Kam Sheung Road Flea Market. You can unearth a vast assortment of items here. Red Brick House is another place to find unique souvenirs. The Richfield offers an eclectic mix of independent vendors. Kam Tin offers a blend of history, culture, and modernity. It is a place where you can experience a different side of Hong Kong.