大澳

 

西岸近虎山咀處的將軍石,石高約十米;正面遠看有如穿起盔甲的武士,威風凜凜,肖妙無比,亦值得一行。而大澳楊侯古廟是位於寶珠潭,據說是風水佳地,因據廟碑所載,該廟「面臨大海,座擁嶼山,………鐘靈毓秀,福地名矣。」古廟內有一古鐘鑄於康熙三十八年 ( 1699年),想此廟可能建於該年。

 

大澳警署  

屬兩層高西式建築的大澳警署聳立於大澳渡輪碼頭旁的小丘上,於 1920年建成,一直沿用至今,屬新界早期建造的警署之一。

 

鹿湖精舍  

位於北大嶼山郊野公園附近,原稱「純陽仙院」,是道士羅元一於光緒九年 ( 1883年)開山創建,正門上有當時閩淅總督何璋的題額,還有廣東狀元梁耀樞的題書門聯。民國初年,該仙院由觀清法師任主持,並改奉佛教,其後成為專供女眾清修之所。

 

   Tai  O Region

If Tai O is your first stop on Lantau, you may reach it by boarding bus No.1 from the bus terminus at Mui Wo. There are also air-conditioned buses at a higher fare. And are now atPo Lin Monastery, there is a direct bus (No. 21) between Ngong Ping and Tai O which runs hourly. It is a good idea to check the schedule when you first arrive at the bus terminal at the monastery. The journey takes around 20 minutes.

It outlines locations of places of interest in this traditional fishing village.

    Of special interest are the disused salt pans. Once the area of an extensive export trade to China, most salt pans have now been converted to reclaimed land for public housing. You can locate the area of this once-famous industry on the mapboard.

    Notice the houses built on stilts above the water as you cross the creek. You will realize why Tai O has earned the name “Hong Kong’s Little Venice”. These houses are mostly inhabited by the Tanka people, fisherfolk and descendants of some of Hong Kong’s first major settlers.

    You are now on Tai O Market Street. There is a prevailing odour of salt fish and shrimp paste, two famous products of this village. Stalls selling dried seafood, fruits, fabric, herbs and more line both sides of the street.

    Near the end of the street is a fresh produce market where locals gather to buy daily necessities.

    Turn right at the end of the street, a few steps from the market, you will see on your left the Kwan Tai Temple dedicated to the God of War and Right-eousness. It was built in the reign of Hong Zhi of the Ming Dynasty (AD1488 – 1505) but has been renovated several times. On the right, as you enter, is a statue of the horse of Kwan Tai. On the left is the horse belonging to Liu Pei, the Han Dynasty emperor whom Kwan Tai served. There are a number of different images on the altar. Wah To, the Physician God, is on the left and Choi San, the God of Wealth, is on the right. Also on the right hangs a bronze bell that was cast in 1739. Today, Kwan Tai is widely worshipped by the poor for protection against all forms of evil. Kwan Tai’s birthday is marked by the Kwan Tai festival, on the 24th day of the sixth moon. However, the busiest time here is Chinese New Year when people come to burn joss sticks and to pray for wealth and good fortune in the coming year.

    After passing the Tai O Rural Committee at No. 29, Tai O Market Street, you are now on Kat Hing Back Street. While you stroll along the narrow back street, keep your eyes open for the many stone shrines to the Earth God. This practice dates back to around 1500 BC and was originally introduced by the Yueh tribe (ancestors of the Tanka fishermen, Hong Kong’s oldest residents) and the Vietnamese. The belief behind the stones is that a spirit is present in every work of nature; the stones, some of which are shared by the whole community or by just part of the neighbourhood, represent the Earth God. Look out too for old shophouses’ traditional folding wooden doors.

    Coming up to No.36 you will see a road sign for “Kat Hing Back Street”. Walk through the alley behind the sign and make a left turn. Take note of the “Sun Ki Street” road sign on your right a few steps ahead. Walk down the street and the Sun Ki Drawbridge will soon come into view. There, you will have a closer look at the stilt-house community.

    Retrace your steps to Kat Hing Back Street and continue until you reach the “Public Lavatory” sign. Make a right turn and you will find the picturesque Hau Wong Temple at the end of a small causeway. Hau Wong Temple is the most popular in the village. It was first built in 1699 to commemorate a man called Yang, who protected the last Sung emperor called Ping when he was hiding in Hong Kong from the marauding Mongols. Inside the Temple, the revered figure of Hau Wong stands behind a long altar of flowers and offerings. To the left of the main hall is a shrine to the Earth God and to the right are fossils of sharks’ bones and a whale’s head, discovered by local fisherman. Its position overlooks Po Chue Tam, or Pearl Bay, and has excellent fung shui. Geomancy (fung shui) is the ancient science of understanding the earth’s spirit and the regulation of human life in accordance with it, and the two Chinese characters that make up the term fung shui literally mean “wind and water”. It is believed that the positioning of objects in harmony with nature will bring good fortune. The birthday of Hau Wong is on the sixth day of the sixth moon. To celebrate the occasion, there are theatrical performances lasting for four days.

    Walk all the way back to the narrow creek. Turn left and take a short walk along Wing On Street. Many small shops selling dried seafood and other local produce like Hakka and Tanka hats, incense and joss sticks, and some arts and crafts products are situated here.

Bus No.1 will take you back to Mui Wo.

Bus No. 21 between Ngong Ping and Tai O are available.

Bus No.11 between Tung Chung Town Centre and Tai O are available.