Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery
Ping Shan is one of Hong Kong’s most historically significant areas, although it may not come across ones mind when someone is asked. The Tang Clan, which is one of the major clans in Hong Kong, settled in the area during the 12th century. Descendants of the Tang Clan started migrating from the North to the South of China, and one of them, Tang Hon-fat, moved to the Guangdong Province during the Northern Song Dynasty (AD 960-1127), which marked the existence of the Tang Clan in the region. Later in the 12th century, Tang Yuen-ching and his song Tang Chung-kwong, moved to present day Ping Shan, hence they are considered the first generation ancestors of the Ping Shan Lineage. After settling in Ping Shan, they set up a comprehensive neighbourhood which consisted of three “Wai’s” (walled villages), Sheung Cheung Wai, Kiu Tau Wai, Fui Sha Wai, and six “Tsuens” (villages), Hang Tau Tsuen, Hang Mei Tsuen, Tong Fang Tsuen, San Tsuen, San Hei Tsuen and Hung Uk Tsuen. The Tang Clan built many traditional Chinese buildings such as temples, study halls, pagodas and ancestral halls for the neighbourhood to use for worship and schooling.
The Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery is situated on a hilltop in Hang Tau Tsuen, and overlooks the villages of Ping Shan. Originally, the compound was the Ping Shan Police Station, which was completed in 1900, and is one of the few remaining pre-war police stations in the New Territories. It was consistently used by many units of the Hong Kong Police Force, acting as a training center for both police dog and police officer units. The gallery illustrates the everyday life of the Tang Clan, displaying the history, customs and culture through relics and objects donated by indigenous villagers. It also introduces the buildings and monuments on the nearby Ping Shan Heritage Trail, and the compound itself. Sometimes, special exhibitions are shown by school and community organisations with further display the history and culture of Hong Kong. The Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery is the first exhibition gallery that required the co-operation between the government and a local clan, indicating that further projects that are of similar nature are to come.
In order to get to the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery, one has to walk the Ping Shan Heritage Trail - not only do the villages and monuments indicate the history, lifestyle, and festivals of the Tang Clan, it also reveals the traditional heritage and culture of the New Territories as a whole. It may be far from the city centre, but you will definitely enjoy the experience.
Address - Hang Tau Tsuen, Ping Shan, Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong
How To Get There: MTR Tin Shui Wai Exit E3