香港海防博物館 Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence
This is a museum in Shau Kei Wan which originates from the Lei Yu Mun Fort. It has an area of 34200(thirty four thousand and 200 ) square meters. There are many activities we can enjoy here, including the exhibition, history trial, field visits, lectures and the museum sometimes holds outreach workshops. The Fort has a long history starting from 1885, Once it has been a very powerful military site when it was installed with Brennan Torpedo station, the most powerful underwater weapon. But its importance declined in 1930 due to the advanced technology and other new defence position construction. In 1941, it was overwhelmed by the invasion of Japan. In 1993, the government decided to conserve it and in 2000 the museum was opened to the public. facilities here can help us to know more about the coastal military history. There are permanent Galleries showing equipment exhibits from the Ming Dynasty till the Hong Kong Garrison of the PLA. Moreover , there are many facilities such as the weapon theater showing the historical development of Hong Kong Coastal defence, courtyard and the children corner in the redoubt. Walk out of the redoubt , there are replica exhibits of a 6 inch disappearing gun and Brennan Torpedo. Then we can walk through the historical trail to see these exhibits.The museum has a great historical significance as it is part of the Hong Kong coastal military history and it keeps its unique architectural structure inside. The educational function also makes it so important!
Tam Kung Temple
Then we can go to the Tam Kung Temple after visiting the museum. It is located at Shau Kei Wan and near the museum. As Shau Kei Wan was the site for a quarry. Some stonecutters from Huizhou (惠州) brought their beliefs in Tam Kung to Hong Kong and built the temple in 1905. It is a gradeⅠhistoric building in HK. We can visit the temple and pray to Tam Kung. In the figure, we can see that Tam Kung was young and had a child face, with a tiger accompanied to carry heavy objects. The local said that he had already possessed supernatural powers to command the wind and rain, cure sickness, and forecast weather at the age of 13. Therefore, we call him Sea God Lord Tam.There is a historic story of the Temple. On 18, December of 1941, the Japanese army dispatched assault boats to cross Victoria harbour and land at the temple, and the temple was also used as a temporary command center .There are many antiques of historic value, such as The boulder in front of the temple (seal of Tam Kung), an old bronze bell, an altar, an incense burner, wood/stone carvings, a stone tablet, and so on. On the 8th of the fourth lunar month, there is a Chinese opera and street parade to celebrate Tam Kung Festival
Sam Ka Tsuen
Pier to Tung Long Island
Tung Lung Pier
Start of our walk in Tung Lung Island
Hung Shing Temple
The temple is a Qing vernacular building of a one-hall plan of three bays. It is constructed of granite blocks with its walls to support its flush gable pitched roofs. A huge rock is protruding from the rear wall of the right chamber which is called Holy Rock (聖石) by the worshippers. The walls are plastered and its floors cement screeded. The name of the temple is engraved on the stone lintel flanked by a pair of couplets.
Tung Lung Fort
Origin: a part of a maritime defence system to protect trade and fend off piratesFrom 1719-1724C:Attacked by the pirates Cheng Lien Chang and Cheng I, and more recently by Cheung Po Tsai →Abandoned in 1810 35 m above the water with cliffs on three sidesRectangular, composed of 10 feet high rubble stone walls provided with an arch-shaped brick gate15barracks and 8 cannons Commands the Fat Tong Mun Channel
Holiday Tuck Shop
Then we need to find a place to rest , a tuck shop would be a perfect site. The holiday store on Tung Lung Island is a good choice. Holiday store was started by Mr and Mrs Lee in 20th century. In 1968, Mr and Mrs Lee went for a trip on Tung Lung Island. They found the air was fresh which was good for relieving asthma. So they decided to live on Tung Lung Island. Starting a store was not their plan actually. They started to sell soft drinks, noodles and dumplings just because those who came for camping asked them to sell. They sold more and more things over time and has become Holiday Store. Originally the store did not have a name. As it only opened on holidays, people called it Holiday Store.We can have some local featured food like spam and egg noodles or red bean fleezy. There are also chive dumplings and mushroom dumplings that are not common in other places.
Tung Lung Rock Carving
Then we can go to the west of the island to visit the rock carving. It is a declared monument from the New Stone Age. And is the largest rock carving among the 8 rock carving in Hong Kong. There are special patterns on the rock, we can go to see whether it is a dragon or big bird pattern!
Back
Tin Hau Temple
Then maybe we need to go back to Shau Kei Wan to have a rest. visiting Tin Hau Temple is a great choice for our walk before having dinner.As Shau Kei Wan was a fishing village, local fishermen built the temple to pray for protection from Tin Hau (Mazu) in 1873. It is a gradeⅡhistoric buildings in HK. We can visit the temple and pray to Mazu. Let me talk more about Mazu. She met a Taoist priest at the age of 13 and learned how to predict the future, weather and help those who were sick and weak. Finally, she travelled above the sea to save people who were being drowned, including her father and brother. Therefore, the locals believed she was the goddess for safety on the sea. The temple is special. After its completion, Hong Kong was hit by a severe typhoon and the Temple was ruined. However, the damage to Shau Kei Wan was the least. Locals believed that they were protected by the Tin Hau and decided to rebuild the temple.There are many antiques of historic value, such as a stone tablet with inscriptions about the reconstruction of the temple, murals, woodcarvings, wall paintings, Shek Wan pottery, two exquisitely made figurines: supernatural power on eyesight (千里眼) and hearing (順風耳) respectively, and so on. On the 23rd of the third lunar month, people will pray and sacrifice to celebrate Tin Hau Festival.
Shau Kei Wan Main Street East
Then we can have dinner in the nearby Main Street East. There are many traditional and delicious choices!We can eat claypot rice in Siu Wah Little Chef. It is only available in Autumn and winter. Smashed taro claypot rice seems delicious. If you want to have a Hong Kong characteristic meal it is also ok. We can have fishball noodles or lo mein in Wong Lam Kee.If we are not that hungry at that time, we can have local snacks like egg waffles in Master Low-key Food Shop. Their egg waffles are very popular. You know that, egg waffle is popular since 1950s.
