Lai Chi Wo is a nearly abandoned but intact walled village. It is the largest Hakka Village in the north-east New Territories and is on the opposite side of Kat O Island.
Lai Chi Wo was one of the largest Hakka village which has a history of three hundreds
of years in northeast New Territories.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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As the popularity of ecotourism increases, many visitors visit Lai Chi Wo during weekend
because of its rich ecological value. Some villagers have migrated back to the village for
earning their living by selling snacks and drinks.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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Hip Tin Temple is for worshiping of Guandi. This temple was built 300 years ago during
Qing Dynasty.
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Hip Tin Temple |
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Like many remote villages in New Territories, Lai Chi Wo is mostly deserted, with chains
securing the strong wooden doors of the stone houses.
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Hip Tin Temple |
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Lai Chi Wo fung shui wood has more than 100 plant species.
Many of the trees are rare in Hong Kong.
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Hip Tin Temple |
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Lai Chi Wo village is a traditional Hakka village, it is positioned west and facing east
with a dense Fung Shui Wood at the back of the village.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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The most prosperous period of Lai Chi Wo was during the 1950s, with
a population of up to 450 and more than 100 houses.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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Lai Chi Wo villagers there earned their livings mainly by paddy rice cultivation and some
of them engaged in fishing and selling bamboo products. In 1960s, many villagers have left for the UK,
while others sought better living in Sha Tau kok and Tai Po.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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There were nine horizontal lanes and three vertical lanes of houses there of which each of
them was very narrow.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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At Lai Chi Wo, home to about 10 elderly villagers, some buildings have been maintained by
current and former residents, while others have fallen into disrepair.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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In Lai Chi Wo, a center has been established to explain the history and
environment of the area.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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Banyan trees are often used as popular shrines in Hong Kong traditional villages.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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The best way to rejuvenate abandoned villages
is through eco-tourism and heritage tourism.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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The money to pay for the village's upkeep comes from former inhabitants,
almost all of whom moved to Britain decades ago.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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Ruins of old stone houses stand alongside with homes fitted with double-glazed
windows and wooden doors.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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Some inhabitants hang red banners on the top and sides of their doors with messages
of blessing for the new year.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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Many of the village’s houses are boarded over, locked up or are little more than ruins.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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In Lai Chi Wo, a center has been established to explain the history and
environment of the area.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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The most difficult aspect of living in a remote village is the isolation. To do their shopping
they have to call a boat taxi to take them to another town.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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Inside some are possessions their owners left behind, i.e. old wooden furnitures,
family portraits, cups and saucers full of dust.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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Chinese New Year is still celebrated in Lai Chi Wo villages
as many firecrackers remainings can be seen.
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Lai Chi Wo |
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Home > Tourism > Travel in New Territories > Lai Chi Wo |
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