Imagine stepping back in time to the Qing dynasty. Here before you stands Yi Tai Study Hall. It is a testament to the enduring importance of education in Chinese culture.
Yi Tai Study Hall is located in Shui Tau Village. This is in Kam Tin Yuen Long. It was erected during the Daoguang reign between 1821 and 1850. The Tang Yi Tai Wui funded it. This was a group of sixteen local scholar-gentry.
Why was Yi Tai Study Hall built? It was built to house statues of Man Cheong. He is the God of Literature. It also housed statues of Kwan Tai. He is the God of Martial Arts. These gods were originally worshipped in the nearby Man Cheong Pagoda. The study hall was named after them.
Legend tells that a clan member damaged the pagoda. They even dumped the statues in the bushes. The scholars then formed Tang Yi Tai Wui. They proposed building Yi Tai Study Hall. This would properly house the statues.
The hall became an important academy. Prominent scholars from around the region lectured here. Young clansmen attended the study hall free of charge. They learned the Thousand Character Classic. They also studied the Three Character Classic. Teachers taught them the Four Books and Five Classics. These teachers were hired locally. Some came from Dongguan Guangdong.
The architecture reflects Lingnan traditional style. It is built with grey bricks. It features a two-hall-three-bay layout. A courtyard completes the design. The main entrance is unique. It opens on the side between the two halls. This is likely for feng shui reasons. The forecourt is paved with white stones. It is known as “Pak Shek Hong” or White Stone Lane. Students were called “Students of White Stone Lane”.
Inside Yi Tai Study Hall decorations enhanced the learning environment. Plaster couplets adorned the front hall entrance. They depicted carefree students accustomed to studying.
In the early 20th century modern education arrived. Yi Tai Study Hall transformed into a primary school. It educated about 30 students. The school closed after the Second World War.
Yi Tai Study Hall stands as a monument to education. It was declared a monument in 1992. Restoration was completed in 1994. Today it welcomes visitors. It offers a glimpse into Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage. It stands as a reminder of the importance of learning. The study hall symbolizes the pursuit of knowledge.