Muk Wu

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Muk Wu Village sign post
Muk Wu Village door (gate tower)
Sam Wo Public School in Muk Wu Village on Tsung Chai Ling off Lin Ma Hang Road

Muk Wu Village (Chinese: 木湖村) in Ta Kwu Ling is situated in the north of the New Territories across the Man Kam To border crossing point in Hong Kong.

It is therefore inaccessible to non-permit holders (see Closed Area Permit), but these can be obtained in Fanling, Sheung Shui Closed Area Permit police station. As the name suggests, originally the village had fertile land with trees and streams derived from the Chinese characters: "wooden" (木); "lake" (湖). This name derived from the location on the northern periphery right next to the border fence; the Shenzhen River is only a few feet away. The village is situated where visitors can enjoy the scenic view of Shenzhen's city skyscrapers in the evening when the high-rises light up.

Transportation

A 73K or 59K bus from Sheung Shui bus station to Man Kam To Bus Terminus serves the village. From the Terminus, visitors must walk at least 70 metres along Lin Ma Hang Road and turn left at the sign post for Muk Wu Village.

Attractions

The village road meanders down into the village court and main door. This door (gate tower) and stone floor is the original Qing dynasty design; a few houses that have been unoccupied maintain their identity as a village with a long history. There are many new houses built not higher than three stories.

Within the village there also stands a Tin Hau Temple, village hall (sun teng) or shrine and several Ancestral rooms (xi fong). The temple is beautifully decorated and very well kept by the villagers. It was built around 1912-1913.[1] It is located about 50 metres away left as one faces the village door.

Muk Wu Village Temple, dedicated to Tin Hau.

Man-made water wells are plentiful but the main one where most villagers used to draw water from is very large in comparison. Its disuse came about when alternative means of transporting water was sought. Efficient and effective land cultivation was of prime importance and therefore improvements of water pipe systems obviously meant that they no longer had to depend on it.

There are no signs to direct visitors, but since this is a relatively small village this should pose no problems. Going through the village door (gate tower) straight down the narrow lane is a derelict building called the village hall (shrine). This building was used for worshiping of idols, wedding receptions, birth ancestral registrations and village gatherings. The two walled partitions can clearly be identified and one half was once used as a school. Ancestral rooms look similar to residential houses from the outside but the presence of idols and offerings is a common feature.

There have been archeological finds of ancient kilns unearthed in Muk Wu; details of this can be found in the Hong Kong Museum of History. The famous Muk Wu pumping station is also notable.

Apart from the architecture of Muk Wu, nature and wildlife abound, with great Egrets visiting from time to time, and an abundance of exotic insects during hot seasons.

Settlers (The Punti people)

The village's original settlers were: "To" (杜), "Wong" (黄) and "Yam"(任), where "To" (杜) remained the dominant surname even at present. Today, there are various families from China unrelated to the early settlers. Each clan's surname has a remarkable history. "To" (杜) clan trace their roots back to East of Chang'an present day Xi'an, Shaanxi in China.

Today, there are only a handful of indigenous villagers living in Muk Wu and visiting relatives of the "To" (杜) clan. The Chinese festivals such as: Mid-Autumn festival (中秋節), Chinese New Year, Ching Ming (清明節) and Chung Yeung (重陽節) "paying homage to ancestors", attract most tourists and relations of the clans to reunite. During these public holidays especially Ching Ming and Chung Yeung the bus services are very busy and passengers pack buses to the full. The occasion can be quite a sight and the atmosphere is most welcoming and cheerful.

Interesting facts

  • Muk Wu pumping station distributes more than 70% of Hong Kong's fresh water to a population of 7 million.
  • Closest village to the Northern Boundary
  • Muk Wu picks-up mobile phone signals from both Hong Kong and China.
  • Muk Wu, in addition to Hong Kong TV channels, can also pick-up many channels from China.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Antiquities and Monuments Offices - Introduction to 1444 Historic Buildings

External links

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