Wu Kau Tang

San Uk Ha (新屋家) and Leng Pui (嶺背) villages of Wu Kau Tang.

Ancestral halls at Wu Kau Tang.

Houses in Wu Kau Tang.

Cattle in Wu Kau Tang.

KMB bus 275R to Tai Po Market station at Wu Kau Tang.

Wu Kau Tang (Chinese: 烏蛟騰) is an area in Northeast New Territories, Hong Kong. It is administratively part of North District and is enclosed by Plover Cove Country Park on all sides.[1] It is the starting point of the Wu Kau Tang Country Trail and the Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail.[2]

Originally named "Wu Kau Tin" (烏蛟田), the area comprises several villages, including Lo Wai (老圍), Ho Pui (河背), Leng Pui (嶺背), San Uk Ha (新屋家), Tin Sum (田心) and Sam Ka Tsuen (三家村).[3]

Administration

Wu Kau Tang is a recognized village under the New Territories Small House Policy.[4] For electoral purposes, Wu Kau Tang is part of the Sha Ta constituency of the North District Council. It is currently represented by Ko Wai-kei, who was elected in the local elections.[5][6]

History

In 1669, the coastal ban imposed by the Great Clearance was lifted and the Kangxi Emperor ordered the villages to return to their original sites. According to an official document, Wu Kau Tang was one of the villages which returned and was re-established.[7]

At the time of the 1911 census, the population of Wu Kau Tang was 423. The number of males was 165.[8]

Geography

Wu Kau Tang is surrounded by several hills: Fan Kei Tok (芬箕托) to the north, Tiu Tang Lung (吊燈籠) to the northeast, Ma Tau Fung (馬頭峰) to the south and Sam Tam Lo (三担籮) to the west.[1]

Fauna

Wu Kau Tang has been described as particularly rich in butterflies,[9] with 137 species observed. The Hong Kong Paradise Fish can also be found in the area.[1]

See also

• List of villages in Hong Kong
• Bride's Pool
• Kau Tam Tso
• Sham Chung

References

1. "Wu Kau Tang" (PDF). Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 March 2016.
2. "Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Archived from the original on 4 July 2019.
3. Wu Kau Tang Village on Film Services Office website
4. "List of Recognized Villages under the New Territories Small House Policy" (PDF). Lands Department. September 2009.
5. "Recommended District Council Constituency Areas (North District)" (PDF). Electoral Affairs Commission. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
6. "North District Council - North DC Members". District Council. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
7. Berkowitz, Morris I.; Brandauer, Frederick Paul; Reed, John H. (1969). Folk Religion in an Urban Setting: A Study of Hakka Villagers in Transition. Hong Kong: Christian Study Centre on Chinese Religion and Culture. p. 15. ASIN B0006C2MEE.
8. Hase, Patrick (1996). "Traditional Life in the New Territories: The Evidence of the 1911 and 1921 Censuses" (PDF). Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch. 36: 77. ISSN 1991-7295.
9. "Plover Cove Country Park and Plover Cove (Extension) Country Park". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

Further reading

• Chan, Wing-ho, Michael (2000). Characteristics and genesis of soils in Hong Kong's Fung Shui woodlands (MPhil thesis). The University of Hong Kong. doi:10.5353/th_b2975816. hdl:10722/30290.

External links

• Delineation of area of existing village Wu Kau Tang (Sha Tau Kok) for election of resident representative (2019 to 2022)
• "Lai Sam Ancient Trail". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

22.507098°N 114.242530°E / 22.507098; 114.242530