Speaking of "Shui Mei Village" in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, New Territories, one will definitely think of "Shui Mei Village Playground". Because next to this playground, there is a banyan tree with a history of more than hundred years. This banyan tree has a complex structure and surrounds the stone house. The criss-crossing tree trunks and roots grow tenaciously through the gaps in the brick walls of the stone house, forming a rare tree house spectacle. So, let's take a tour here by
HongKongFootprint.com.
It is said that this stone house was built in the late Ming Dynasty by the Tang Clan. The Tang Clan has a history of about thousand years in Kam Tin, Yuen Long, New Territories, and has also left a lot of traces in "Shui Mei Village". Some say that this stone house was originally a Tin Hau Temple, some say it is a study room, and some say it is a residence. But in any case, the stone house is uninhabited so far, and only some brick walls remain.
During the Qing Dynasty, Zheng Chenggong, the remaining minister of the Ming Dynasty, planned to return by sea to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. At that time, in order to prevent coastal residents from helping him, the Qing Dynasty issued an order. Residents along the coast from Shandong to Guangdong were required to move fifty miles inland. Since then, this stone house has been left empty and has been abandoned.
For hundreds of years, the stone house was left unattended. The banyan tree on the side of the stone house continues to grow, and gradually surrounds the stone house and integrates with the stone house. The trunk and roots of the banyan tree are attached to the brick walls of the stone house and continue to grow between the gaps. Some tree trunks even grow horizontally to several meters, like the beams of the stone house. Because of the close connection between the banyan tree and the stone house, this place is also named "Kam Tin Tree House".
Today, "Kam Tin Tree House" has become a distinctive landmark in "Shui Mei Village". Due to the unique appearance of this banyan tree and its historical value over a hundred years, this banyan tree was registered in Hong Kong's "Register of Old and Valuable Trees". Strolling around this place, one can not help but admire the tenacious power of nature, creating a novel landscape that integrates human civilization and nature.
If you also want to visit here, it is recommended to take the MTR to Yuen Long Station and leave at Exit G1. Afterwards, transfer to minibus No. 601 at the Yuen Long Station Public Transport Interchange and get off at Pak Wai Tsuen. After getting off the bus, you will see a fish pond. Not far to the left of the fish pond is the Shui Mei Village Playground. Next to the playground is the Kam Tin Tree House.
Location: Kam Tin Tree House
Address: Shui Mei Village Playground, Kam Tin, New Territories
Credit:
Hong Kong Footprint (HongKongFootprint.com)
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