Perhaps unsurprisingly, Yim Tin Tsai translates to Little Salt Field. This small island, a stone’s throw from Sai Kung, whispers tales of Hakka heritage and Catholic devotion.
Three centuries ago, the Chan clan journeyed from Shenzhen. Chan Mang-Tak and his wife sought new beginnings. They found it here establishing Yim Tin Tsai village.
For generations, the Hakkas thrived here. Salt-making and fishing sustained them. The village prospered reaching over 200 residents. Life was simple. Men fished. Women farmed. Children learned.
Then, in 1864, change arrived. Father S. Volonteri and Father G. Origo came to Yim Tin Tsai. They spread the Gospel. Astonishingly, within ten years, every islander embraced baptism. The villagers gifted land to the Catholic Church. They chose Saint Joseph as their patron.
In 1890, St. Joseph’s Chapel replaced an earlier one. The villagers built it with devotion. Constructed in Italian Romanesque style, it stands as a testament to their faith. A school was built next to it.
Most villagers left Yim Tin Tsai due to urbanization. By 1998, the island was officially uninhabited. However, the Chan family never forgot their home. They returned yearly for the Feast Day.
In 2004, with church support, St. Joseph’s Chapel underwent conservation. This sparked cultural and eco-tourism. In 2005, the chapel received a UNESCO award. Later, in 2011, it became a Grade 2 Heritage Building.
Yim Tin Tsai’s history runs deep. Archaeological finds date back to the Eastern Han dynasty around 100 CE. The island once had six acres of salt fields. It was the smallest of Hong Kong’s five salt fields.
Today, Yim Tin Tsai offers a unique escape. It is a place where Hakka traditions meet Catholic heritage. It is an island revitalized by its people’s enduring spirit. The chapel still stands. The salt pans have been restored. Yim Tin Tsai lives on.