Tang Ancestral Hall in Ha Tsuen, also known as Yau Kung Tong, was built by the Tang clan of Ha Tsuen to commemorate their ancestors, Tang Hung-chi and Tang Hung-wai. It has a three-hall-three-bay layout with two courtyards. Tang Ancestral Hall, together with the adjoining Guesthouse and Yau Kung School, form a historic building compound, which bears witness to the Tang clan’s emphasis on culture and education, as well as the history of traditional education in Hong Kong.

In the middle hall of Tang Ancestral Hall are several plaques showcasing the outstanding achievements of the Tang clan in the Imperial Civil Service Examinations. Above the “Yau Kung Tong” plaque are the 16 imperial edicts, transcribed by Tang Wai-lun, instructing clansmen to abide by the law and stipulating the virtues they should possess. Tang Wai-lun was born in the nineteenth year of the Daoguang reign of Qing dynasty (1839) in Sik Kong Wai, Ha Tsuen. He passed the Imperial Civil Service Examinations as a xiucai in the fifth year of the Xianfeng reign of Qing dynasty (1855). Tang Wai-lun’s family had a number of outstanding scholars: three of his six sons were top linsheng in the Imperial Civil Service Examinations, and together they were hailed as “Anshou (highest-ranking linsheng) Father and Sons”. The ancestral hall still preserves a number of rubbings and imitations of calligraphy works of prominent scholars. On the stone pillars in the middle hall of Yau Kung Tong, for example, are a set of couplets with imitations of the neo-Confucian calligraphy of Wang Yang-ming in the Ming dynasty. The couplets – “Your intentions should not bring shame to your grandfather” and “Your behaviour must set a good example for your descendants” – carry the hope that the descendants of the clan will be inspired by the teachings of previous generations.

On both sides of the screen door is a set of couplets written by Tang Wai-lun encouraging clansmen to get along well with one another, studying diligently to achieve good results in the Imperial Civil Service Examinations so as to make their parents proud, earn a good reputation and practise filial piety. This illustrates the local clans’ inclination towards scholarship and the close connection between Hong Kong and the Imperial Civil Service Examinations in the past, as well as Hong Kong's rich traditional Chinese culture.

The adjoining Guesthouse and Yau Kung School were completed before 1924. Built to provide accommodation for guests, the Guesthouse embodies a tradition of respect and hospitality. According to clan members, Man Cheong, the God of Literature, has been worshipped in the Guesthouse since the 1940s. At the time, students at Yau Kung School would perform the First Writing Ceremony in front of the Man Cheong’s shrine at Lunar New Year or at the beginning of the school year to pray for success in their studies.

Yau Kung School was named after Yau Kung Tong situated at its front. It provided education for young clansmen in the area. To accommodate the growing number of students, part of Tang Ancestral Hall and the Guesthouse were used as classrooms and teachers’ quarters at the time. As the campus reached capacity, in 1964, Yau Kung School was moved to San Sang Tsuen. The old premises were converted into a kindergarten which was in operation until the late 1970s.

Opening Hours:
Monday and Wednesday to Sunday: 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm
Closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays), Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and the first three days of Chinese New Year
(Yau Kung School is not open to public)

Address:
Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long, New Territories.

Enquiry Hotline:
(852) 2208 4488