Within Tuen Tsz Wai’s ancient walls whispers the past. This village nestled in Lam Tei holds centuries of stories. The To clan its founders arrived from Poyang Jiangxi during the Ming Dynasty. They established their home amidst the fertile lands of Tuen Mun. As the clan grew so did the village. Five villages sprang up in the Lam Tei area all fortified for protection. Tuen Tsz Wai stood strong amongst them.
The original Tuen Tsz Wai was a Punti walled village. This means it had a wall for defense. Its layout reveals this heritage. A main lane roughly divides the village. At the lane’s end stands a shrine a style typical of Punti walled villages. The village’s history is etched into its very structure. In 1978 the village wall was rebuilt. The original entrance gate shifted location due to feng shui concerns. A new gate was built further east. The old gate remains a silent witness now permanently closed.
Three To Ancestral Halls stand outside Tuen Tsz Wai’s walls. These halls pay homage to the clan’s ancestors. The oldest hall completed in 1718 during the Kangxi Emperor’s reign. It’s a magnificent three-hall-two-courtyard structure. Unfortunately it fell into disrepair and is now closed. Another ancestral hall the Ting Shan Ancestral Hall commemorates To Ting Shan. It too has faced the passage of time and is currently abandoned.
A newer ancestral hall built in 1971 stands as a testament to the clan’s enduring spirit. It houses memorial tablets for the To clan ancestors. The hall is also known as Ng Lau Tong. It pays tribute to the poet Tao Yuanming. This connection demonstrates the To clan’s reverence for culture and history.
The Sam Shing Temple dedicated to three deities stands as a testament to the To clan’s faith. This temple built during the reigns of the Yongzheng and Qianlong Emperors has seen multiple renovations. It maintains its original shape but is now constructed with modern materials. The temple’s presence adds to the rich tapestry of Tuen Tsz Wai’s story. It serves as a vibrant centre for local traditions. The village today retains an aura of its rich and layered history. Its resilience and unique charm truly make Tuen Tsz Wai a place worth exploring.