“Ever wondered about a village built on gold?”
Tsang Tai Uk New Village stands before you a testament to ingenuity and resilience. This isn’t just any village. This is a Hakka walled village in Sha Tin a Grade 1 historic building. It’s a story etched in granite grey bricks and solid timber.
Our story begins with Tsang Koon-man a man from humble beginnings in Wuhua Guangdong. He journeyed to Hong Kong with his brother seeking a better life. His skills in masonry proved lucrative. He profited greatly from Hong Kong’s early development. The demand for building stones was high.
In 1848 he began building Tsang Tai Uk New Village at Lion Rock’s foot. It took twenty years to complete. The village wasn’t merely a home. It was a fortress. Imagine four corner towers. They stood watch. Wok yee embrasures offered protection.
The village was initially called Shan Ha Wai. This means Walled Village at the Mountain’s Foot. It held nearly a hundred residential units. The green brick walls remained unchanged for a century. They bore silent witness to history.
The story of Tsang Tai Uk New Village isn’t just about stones and walls. It’s about people. It sheltered displaced families during World War II. It provided refuge. It’s about a community enduring the tests of time. While many Tsang descendants have left some remain. They continue the story of this unique place.
A fascinating detail the village’s initial wealth came from a peculiar source. Villagers tell of a day in the early 19th century when sea pirates approached Tsang Koon-man. They offered salted dry fish. Sixteen pots of it. He bought them unaware. He later discovered the pots contained gold.
Tsang Tai Uk New Village isn’t just history. It’s a living breathing community. Explore respectfully. Discover its stories in every stone every brick every courtyard. Remember the resilience of a family who built a fortress out of determination and a little bit of luck. Remember the gold.