Consider Tin Hau. She protects seafarers. This Tin Hau Temple stands adjacent to the Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall. This temple is devoted to Tin Hau. Her guards Chin Lei Ngan and Shun Fung Yi are also honored here.
Welcome to the Tin Hau Temple, Lung Yeuk Tau. It is a significant site on the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail. This trail shows the history of the Tang clan. They have lived here for centuries.
The Tang clan still practice traditional village customs. They celebrate the Tin Hau Festival. They also hold a lantern lighting ceremony for newborn boys. This happens on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Furthermore, they have an ancestral worship ceremony. It includes a vegetarian feast. This takes place on the first day of the second lunar month. Every decade, the Tai Ping Ching Chiu Festival occurs. It is a celebration for great peace.
Inside the Tin Hau Temple, Lung Yeuk Tau, you will find two bronze bells. These bells were cast in 1695 and 1700. They sit on the floor of the chamber. They are next to the main hall.
The exact construction date of the Tin Hau Temple is unknown. However, it underwent restoration in 1913. It was restored again in 1981.
The Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail is 2.6 km long. It links several heritage sites. These sites include the Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall. They also include Leung Yeuk Tau Lo Wai and Shek Lo. The trail offers insights into traditional life. It shows the life in the Lung Yeuk Tau area of Fanling.
Lung Yeuk Tau got its name from the nearby Lung Yeuk Ling mountain range. Legend says a dragon once leaped here. The Tang clan living here trace their roots back to a princess. She was from the Southern Song Dynasty. She married Tang Wai Kap of Kam Tin. Her eldest son’s descendants moved to Lung Yeuk Tau in the 14th century. They developed “5 Wais and 6 Tsuens” there. Wais are walled villages. Tsuens are villages.
Many traditional Chinese buildings still stand in Lung Yeuk Tau. They show the history of early New Territories inhabitants. These structures include temples. They also include ancestral halls, walls, and village gates. Residences also remain in their original state.
The Antiquities Advisory Board initiated the heritage trail. It received support from local residents. The North District Council also helped. So did the Architectural Services Department and others.
As you leave the Tin Hau Temple, Lung Yeuk Tau, consider its history. It is a testament to the Tang clan’s legacy. It reflects their dedication. They are dedicated to preserving their cultural heritage. The temple stands as a reminder. It reminds us of Tin Hau’s enduring protection. It is a beacon for seafarers. It is a symbol of cultural continuity in this vibrant region.