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SECTION
6 HERITAGE FUNCTIONS CAPITAL STOCK
| 6.2 |
Existing
Capital Stock and Trends |
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| Overview of the Resource
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| 6.2.2.6 |
Despite the massive scale of recent development in the urban areas of Hong Kong there are still several excellent examples of Chinese temples remaining in the Metro area and many more in the rural parts of the territory. In particular, Tin Hau (the Chinese Queen of Heaven traditionally worshipped by mariners) temples are common along coastal parts of Hong Kong. The oldest Tin Hau temple site, where there has been a temple for 700 years, is at Joss House Bay on the Clearwater Bay Peninsula. |
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| 6.2.2.7 |
An area of particular significance for its built heritage is Ping Shan near Yuen Long. This area has a concentration of traditional Chinese structures originating from the Tang Clan which dates to the twelfth century. It includes a 200 year old walled village at Sheung Cheung Wai, temples, ancestral and study halls and Hong Kong's only ancient pagoda, Tsui Shing Lau (Pagoda of Gathering Stars), built over 600 years ago. |
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| 6.2.2.8 |
There is also significant evidence of military structures in parts of the territory. Lantau Island in particular appears to have had strategic defensive importance. There are nineteenth century (Qing Dynasty) structures - a fort and battery - now restored to good condition at Tung Chung, and an 18th Century fort at Fan Lau on the south western tip of the island. The Kowloon Walled City site was first established in 1668 and its fortifications periodically strengthened until the mid 19th Century when it served as a military garrison. Following years of neglect during the 20th Century, the remaining features were excavated and surveyed and the extant features, the Yamen building and gateways, have been restored and preserved. More recently, there are extensive remains of the fortifications constructed to defend Hong Kong from Japanese invasion in the Second World War. Several locations in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island have remains of strategic defences such as magazines, bunkers, observation posts and armament emplacements. |
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