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 (木湖村) in Ta Kwu Ling (打鼓嶺) is situated north of the New Territories across the Man Kam To border crossing point in Hong Kong. It is therefore inaccessable to non-permit holders, 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). However unbelievable this may seem, one only needs to look where the village is located. That is, on the northern periphery right next to the border fence Shenzhen river is only a couple of feet away. Therefore, the village is situated where one can take a good look at the breathtaking view of Shenzhen's city skyscrapers and admire its ongoing development. It can also be exciting to look at Shenzhen from the village in the evening when the high-rises light up. It is not like Hong Kong's 'Symphony Of Lights' along the harbour, but maintains it's unique character and focus as a 'Window to the East'.

1 Directions
2 Attractions
3 Settlers (The Punti people)
4 Interesting Facts
5 References
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Directions

To get there, a 73k bus or 59k minibus will take you virtually all the way. You can catch a 73k at Sheung Shui bus station as well as the 59k, this being a little more difficult unless you know where to get off. The 73k terminates at Man Kam To Bus Terminus and then you will need to walk at least 70 metres along Lin Ma Hang Road and turn left at the sign post for Muk Wu Village.

[edit] 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 as well as a few houses that have been unoccupied maintained their identity as a village with a long history. There are of course many new houses built not higher than three storeys.

Within the village there also stands a 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 is about 50 metres away left as one faces the village door.

Village temple idols.

Muk Wu Village Temple.

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 being a relatively small village it should pose no problems finding it. Going through the village door (gate tower) straight down the narrow lanes lies 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 has been archeological finds of ancient kilns unearthed in Muk Wu where details of this can be found in the Hong Kong Museum of History. The famous Muk Wu pumping station is also worth a visit.

Apart from the architecture of Muk Wu there is the nature and wildlife that speaks for itself with great Egrets visiting from time to time, as well as the abundance of exotic insects found during hot seasons.

[edit] 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. They are also descendants of To Yiw Sun who was a rich and wealthy landowner making a living as merchandiser at sea. Yiw Sun's son Fook Tai did not possess the same business acumen as his father did, but lived a quiet life working as a farmer. Fook Tai's son To Chun Wan continued in his father's footsteps and later moved to London, United Kingdom in 1956.

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.