31/05/2026
EastPro Publisher New Cultural Book
And Visits the Tang Family of Kam Tin, New Territories
EastPro Publisher is delighted to share with everyone that this morning we visited Shui Tau Village in Kam Tin, in the New Territories, to pay a visit to two esteemed elders of the Tang family. Through the visit, we learned about the Tang family’s historical lineage and heritage, their ancestral worship culture, and several important buildings in the area that carry a strong sense of tradition.
I believe many of you have heard of the “Tang Family of Kam Tin” and its prominent background. The Tang clan is one of the Five Major Clans of the New Territories. After migrating south during the Song Dynasty, they settled in the area of Yuen Long, where they have since continued their legacy for generations. According to the “Tang Clan Genealogy” and records from local gazetteers in Hong Kong, the Tang family of Kam Tin has an important connection to the lineage of Tsui Kau, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty. As descendants of Zhao Gou’s daughters, this connection gives the Tang clan a weighty identity and historical significance, which remains reflected in their clan genealogy, historical records, and local collective memory.
Descendants of the Tang family are spread across five major branches. Today, the ones who hosted us were descendants of one of these branches. The two elders shared their stories with warmth and in great detail. They recounted the illustrious history of the Tang family’s ancestors, as well as traditions and activities with highly distinctive characteristics—activities that truly carry the “core flavor” of ancestral worship culture. Through their guidance, we found the experience very interesting, and we gained a more three-dimensional and closer understanding of the village clan culture of the New Territories.
The Meaning of Ancestral Worship: Not Only Remembrance, but Also Cohesion
In Tang traditions, ancestral worship is not only a religious ritual. It is also an important link that helps maintain clan relationships and connects Tang people both within and beyond Hong Kong. In addition to regular ceremonies, there are also large-scale “Da Jhao” events held once every ten years, as well as “Clan Spring and Autumn Ancestral Sacrifices” conducted concurrently. This system is believed to be the traditional ancestral worship rituals of the Tang clan in Hong Kong’s New Territories, and it is also recognized as a representative work of Hong Kong’s intangible cultural heritage. The ceremonies are typically held during the Spring Equinox and Autumn Equinox each year.
The two Tang gentlemen also shared some very specific details—some that feel almost vivid in the mind—such as the traditional ritual mentioned within the clan of “cutting up and dividing pork from the ancestors’ feast” (“Taigong shares the pork,” as referenced in the story). We originally thought that ancestral worship was simply a solemn ritual. Yet through the elders’ explanations, we came to understand that it actually embodies clan rules and values rooted in mutual acknowledgement, shared honor, and the continuation of identity.
We visited their multiple historic buildings—such as their ancestral halls, and their academy halls. We also toured several representative buildings filled with traditional atmosphere.
Every time we approached a new building, it felt as if we were stepping back into the local rhythm of an earlier era. These buildings do not just stand as structures—they carry the spirit of the family, leaving us with deep impressions.
The most lasting impression was the former residence of Mr. Tang Pak Kau (1876–1959). Mr. Tang Pak Kau was a highly influential local gentry figure and educator in the modern history of Hong Kong’s New Territories. In the development of the 20th century—from Yuen Long and Kam Tin—he played an important role, and he was even described as the “richest man in Yuen Long” at the time.
The elders also mentioned that in 1925, Mr. Tang Pak Kau successfully participated in an effort to recover the bronze-iron defensive ring g*t of two enclosures in Kam Tin which had been dismantled by British forces in 1899 during the “Six-Day War in the New Territories” and carried away as spoils. This became one of the most symbolic events in modern history.
When we saw that Mr. Tang Pak Kau’s former home is currently undergoing reconstruction, we could truly feel the defensive, fortress-like architectural concept. It made us realize that it is truly a witness to historical memory.
It is also worth mentioning that Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and His Royal Highness Prince Philip first visited Hong Kong. Prince Charles also personally visited Yuen Long’s Kam Tin—specifically meeting the Tang clan members. This piece of royal-visit historical memory further highlights the influence of the Tang family of Kam Tin, both at the local level and in broader contexts.
Please Pay Attention to the New Book on the Tang Family titled KAM TIN HEUNG JIAO FESTIVAL 2025, as well as the new book release event at the book fair photographed by the great photography master Mr. Tsui Piu and he winning works photographed by the winners of the KAM TIN HEUNG JIAO FESTIVAL 2025 during the book fair period. There will be a new book launch event and a sharing session by the photographer and the members of the Tang family.
#錦田鄉酬恩建醮 #香港非物質文化遺產
