Cheung Chun Yuen, 2016. ©Antiquities and Monuments Office
The two round openings on the wall frieze of the façade were for defence purpose, 2016.©Antiquities and Monuments Office
The large courtyard on the left part of Cheung Chun Yuen was used for martial arts training, 2016.©Antiquities and Monuments Office
Few iron Chinese halberds used in martial arts training are still preserved in Cheung Chun Yuen, 1997. ©Antiquities and Monuments Office
The ancestral altar and the plaque inscribed with “Lau Gang Tong” are at the main hall of Cheung Chun Yuen, 2022. ©Antiquities and Monuments Office

Located in Shui Tau Tsuen, Kam Tin, Cheung Chun Yuen is also known as Lau Gang Tong. It was built by Tang Ming-hok, the twenty-second generation ancestor of the Tang clan in Kam Tin, during the reign of Daoguang of Qing dynasty (1821–1850). Among the many study halls in Kam Tin, Cheung Chun Yuen was rare to train candidates for the military Imperial Civil Service Examinations. This shows the Tang clan attached great importance to education, with the hope that young clansmen could engage in both scholarly and military pursuits, and enter officialdom by obtaining degrees in the Imperial Civil Service Examinations, thereby strengthening the clan's status and influence in the region.

Tang Ming-hok was a wujuren and served as a sixth rank official in the imperial court. His son Tang Chi-bun, who studied martial arts in Cheung Chun Yuen, also obtained the degree of wujuren. Many relics are preserved in Cheung Chun Yuen, including the iron guandao halberds used in martial arts training, weighing 62, 85 and 112 catties. The large courtyard on the left part of Cheung Chun Yuen was used for martial arts training.

Cheung Chun Yuen is an exemplar of Lingnan traditional architecture. Constructed with grey bricks, it has a two-hall-one-bay layout. There are two round openings on the wall frieze of the façade for defence purpose, and in front of the entrance is a fengshui wall to ward off evil. In the main hall, the soul tablets of the clan ancestors are revered. Above the altar is a plaque with the inscription “Lau Gang Tong”. The decorations of Cheung Chun Yuen are characteristic of Lingnan traditional architecture. The main ridge of the front hall is adorned with plaster mouldings depicting the Covert Eight Immortals; the fascia boards are carved with auspicious patterns, such as flowers, birds, scrolls and auspicious animals; and the wall frieze are decorated with mural paintings featuring folktales and calligraphy.

Opening Hours:
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm
Closed on the first three days of Chinese New Year

Address:
No. 82 Shui Tau Tsuen, Kam Tin, Yuen Long, New Territories.

Enquiry Hotline:
(852) 2208 4488

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