40 INDULGE

A visit to should not be just lead you to the Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda, PROFILE about shopping and feasting. Even which is the first stop on the its popular tourist attractions like the Heritage Trail. There, you can pick up a Victoria Peak, Temple Street Market free booklet and map detailing all the and Disneyland can get a bit boring sights on the trail. after the initial thrill. For decades, Hong Kong used to be the world’s window into the enigma that was Useful tips communist China. Today, some of the Give yourself a minimum of two hours to slowly explore the trail (about 1.6 km) TEXT and old Cantonese and Hakka traditions still and bring along lots of water as there photos BY live on in the hamlets of Hong Kong’s New Territories. are few refreshment stops along the way. Some of the sights include private Dr Chang Tou Liang Armed with a pocket camera, I made a residences, so be mindful not to intrude short trip to the wonderfully preserved or disturb the peace. The trail ends on a and spent hilltop where the Gallery and Dr Chang Tou Liang Heritage Trail Visitor Centre are located, is a family physician. several hours admiring the village architecture and heritage. Far removed and offers visitors a panoramic view From 2004 to of the area. To get back to 2008, he was the from the skyscrapers, expressways, shopping centres and political protests, civilisation, simply take the Light Rail artistic director Transit from Ping Ha Road to Yuen of the Singapore time stood still as I imagined what it would be like standing in a southern Long MTR station for a return trip on International the West Rail Line. Piano Festival. Chinese village a century ago. He is presently Singapore’s most Getting there prolific classical You’ll have to hop on the West Rail Line For more information, music reviewer, Mass Transit Railway (MTR) from East visit this website: having contributed Tsim Sha Tsui station towards Tuen http://www.amo.gov.hk/en/ over 2,000 articles to Mun station, and alight at Tin Shui trails_pingshan.php. the Straits Times. He Wai station. Follow the road signs that is married to Janet, has a 14-year-old son Shan Ming and owns 12 cats.

SMA News / AUG 2016 INDULGE 41

Intricate porcelain figurines adorn the rooftop of the Tang Ancestral Hall Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda is Hong Kong’s oldest pagoda Tsui Sing Lau and is believed to be built Pagoda in the 15th century

The imposing gatehouse of Sheung Cheung Wai walled Sheung village, a gated residence Cheung of the Tang family which is Wai around 200 years old The twin facades of the Tang (13th century) and Yu Kiu (16th century) Ancestral Halls are symmetrical in almost every detail Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery and Heritage Trail Visitor Centre

Splendid craftsmanship in the Tang Ancestral Kun Ting Study Hall (c.1870s) – Halls a testament to the Chinese emphasis on education and academic pursuits

Kun Ting Study Hall

Ching Shu Hing The old Ping Shan Police Station (built in 1900) now houses the Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery and Shut Hing Heritage Trail Visitor Centre Study Hall

An airy classroom in Kun Ting Study Hall, with tall folding doors A moon gate looking into a courtyard in Ching Shu Hing, Exquisite wooden and stone carvings over the a guesthouse for scholars preserved entrance of Shut Hing Study Hall, visiting the Kun Ting Study Hall which has unfortunately been demolished to make way for a private residence

AUG 2016 / SMA News