Historical Footprints in Tai Po: New Territories Administration (I) (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Jul 2021)
Built in 1899, the Old Tai Po Police Station was not only the first, but is also the oldest surviving police station in the New Territories, where it also originally served as the force's headquarters. It was declared a monument in 2021 and has now been revitalised into the Green Hub to promote heritage conservation and sustainable living.
Historical Footprints in Tai Po: New Territories Administration (II) (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Jul 2021)
Constructed in Tai Po around 1907, the District Office (North) was the earliest seat of the civil administration of the New Territories after they were leased to Great Britain. The building was declared a monument in 1981 and has been used as the Law Ting Pong Scout Centre, New Territories East Region of the Scout Association of Hong Kong since 2002. When Island House was completed in 1906, it stood on a small islet near the head of Tolo Harbour called Yuen Chau Tsai, which was connected to the mainland by a causeway. Built as quarters for government officers, Island House was associated with the former New Territories Administration for many years and was declared a monument in 1983. The building is now home to the Conservation Studies Centre of the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong.
Historical Footprints in Tai Po: Temples and the Community (I) (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Jul 2021)
The Tin Hau Temple in Tai Po Kau Hui (Tai Po Old Market) was built in 1691 (the 30th year of the reign of the Qing emperor Kangxi), making it one of the oldest Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong. It was originally located close to the sea, but following several land reclamations, it is now situated in the centre of Tai Po. It was accorded Grade 3 historic building status in 2010.
Historical Footprints in Tai Po: Temples and the Community (II) (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Jul 2021)
The Man Mo Temple in Tai Po, which opened in 1892, was built with donations from the Tsat Yeuk Community to serve as a venue for meetings, arbitration proceedings and worship in Tai Wo Market Town. It was declared a monument in 1984. The Old Tai Po Market Railway Station was completed in 1913. While other stations along the Kowloon-Canton Railway were constructed in a Western architectural style, this one features a distinctive Chinese design. It was declared a monument in 1984.
Historical Footprints in Tai Po: Ancestral Hall and Walled Village (I) (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Jun 2021)
King Law Ka Shuk is the ancestral hall of the Tang clan in Tai Po Tau Tsuen. Once used as a study hall, it still serves as a venue for clan members to hold meetings and traditional functions. It was declared a monument in 1998. The full restoration of King Law Ka Shuk, which was completed in January 2001, won the Award of Merit of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation in the same year.
Historical Footprints in Tai Po: Ancestral Hall and Walled Village (II) (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Jun 2021)
The Yau Ancestral Hall is said to have been built around 1800. Designed as a two-hall-one-courtyard structure, the building is constructed in grey brickwork, while the exteriors of the roofs are decorated with green glazed tiles. The walls are plastered. A pair of geometric dragon mouldings stand at the two ends of the front ridge. The Yau Ancestral Hall was accorded Grade 3 historic building status in 2020. The walled village of Fui Sha Wai in Tai Hang, Tai Po, was built by the Man clan some 300 to 400 years ago and featured an entrance gate, enclosing walls and a watchtower at each of the four corners. A moat originally surrounded the wall but has long since been reclaimed. Today, only parts of the original enclosing walls and the towers are still standing, but the entrance gate has been reconstructed. The enclosing walls of Fui Sha Wai were accorded Grade 3 historic building status in 2010.
Historical Footprints in Tai Po: Trade and Transportation (I) (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Jun 2021)
The Hip Tin Temple of Cheung Shue Tan in Tai Po was built primarily for the worship of the god Kwan Tai. It is not known exactly when it was constructed. The temple faces Ma On Shan, an orientation that is believed to be based on the principles of feng shui. The temple was made a Grade 3 historic building in 2010. One of the earliest stations on the Kowloon-Canton Railway when it started running services in 1910, the former Tai Po Kau Railway Station was located next to a pier and so stood at the heart of the trading and transportation hub that developed in Tai Po.
Historical Footprints in Tai Po: Trade and Transportation (II) (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Jun 2021)
Wun Yiu in Tai Po was once a centre of the porcelain industry in the New Territories. Archaeological investigations at the site unearthed remains that provide evidence of every stage of the production process and that therefore represent an important part of Hong Kong's cultural heritage. The pottery kilns at Wun Yiu Village were declared a monument in 1983. Fan Sin Temple in Sheung Wun Yiu is the main temple for the village and neighbouring Ha Wun Yiu. It is believed that the temple was built by the Ma clan to worship Fan Tai Sin Sze, the patron deity of potters. A wooden plaque hanging in the main hall indicates that the temple's history dates back over 200 years. Fan Sin Temple was declared a monument in 1999.
80-year-old Historic Site: Bonham Road Government Primary School (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Apr 2021)
The Bonham Road Government Primary School premises were originally built between 1940 and 1941 to house the Northcote Training College, the first full-time teacher training college in Hong Kong established in 1939. The Bonham Road campus has been home to the Bonham Road Government Primary School since January 25 2000. The Bonham Road Government Primary School was declared a monument in 2021.
Confucius Hall, Hong Kong (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Apr 2021)
Built in the 1930s, Confucius Hall is the oldest surviving historic building constructed for the reverence and advocacy of Confucianism in Hong Kong and once served as the venue for scholars such as Guo Moruo, Mao Dun and Jao Tsung-i to deliver public lectures. Confucius Hall was accorded Grade 1 historic building status in 2020.
Tat Tak Communal Hall: the Only Surviving Purpose-built Communal Hall in Hong Kong (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Mar 2021)
Tat Tak Communal Hall was declared a monument in 2013. It is the only surviving purpose-built communal hall in Hong Kong which served as both an assembly-cum-worshipping place for a joint village alliance, and a management office of a market place.
Restoration of Duddell Street Gas Lamps (Chinese version only) © Cable TV (Mar 2021)
The flight of stone steps at the southern end of Duddell Street and the four gas lamps standing on the balustrades on either side of the steps were declared a monument in 1979. They were seriously damaged when Super Typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong on 16 September 2018. The restoration was completed on 23 December 2019.
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