Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall — Attraction in Hong Kong

The Tang Chung Ancestral Hall is Declared Monument building in Hong Kong (1997) and stop 6 along the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail. It is situated just next to the historic Tin Hau Temple (stop 5) and just past the walled village of Lo Wai (stop 4) if you are starting the trail from the south. What you see today is a well-preserved, three hall building which honours the memory of the founding ancestors of the Tang Chung-ling Clan who settled this area of Hong Kong as early as the late 13th century. The Ancestral Hall is open for visitation from 9am to 1pm (morning) and 2pm-5pm (afternoon) daily but is closed on Tuesdays.

Historically, the Tang Chung Ancestral Hall was built in the early 16th Century. The exterior is attractive with grey-brick construction, plaster, motifs, fascia boards, auspicious animal decorations and tiled roofing. It is similar to Chinese temple architecture and appearance you may have come across when sightseeing temples around Hong Kong.

The interior offers several interesting things to see including the large screen (dong chung) which separate the front and centre hall, the delicately carved wooden beams and a peculiar stone plaque of the Nam Him Study Hall which no longer exists. In the Rear hall, there are three bays with shrines dedicated to past members of the Tang Clan. The Centre Bay shrine includes the Soul Tablets including the Imperial relative, the Song Dynasty Princess and her husband Tang Wai-kap. The information panels will help you identify this particular Tablet amongst the others.

Of further interest and note, the Rear Hall serves as a default information centre for the entire Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail and makes for an important source of information and details about the various attractions found along the trail. What you will find are large panels for the various respective heritage sight with historical accounts for each. It is very much worth spending some time here to read up and learn about the various places. I'd also recommend taking pictures of the panels as well. These come in handy later on, particularly when coming across the attractions which don't have posted information nearby.

In the end, a 10-15 minute visit to admire the architecture and craftsmanship work of the Tang Chung Ancestral Hall is warranted. Another 15 minutes reading up and reviewing the heritage sights information panels is advisable as well. Then continue onward to the somewhat isolated Tung Kok Wai (stop 7) which is the next call on the...

The Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall is one of the largest ancestral halls in Hong Kong. It is reputed to have been built around 1525 in honour of the founding ancestor, Tang Chung-ling (1302-1387), and became the main ancestral hall of the Tang clan at Lung Yeuk Tau.

The magnificent ancestral hall is a three-hall building with two spacious internal courtyards. An annex, which serves as the kitchen, is attached to the right side. The whole building is exquisitely decorated with fine wood carvings, elaborate plaster mouldings, ceramic sculptures and murals of auspicious Chinese motifs, reflecting the superb craftsmanship of the period.

Full restoration of the ancestral hall was completed in the middle of 1992 under the supervision of the Antiquities and Monuments Office and the Architectural Services...

This is the largest ancestral hall in Hong Kong and one of six "declared monuments" on the Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail. It is exceptionally well maintained and is worth a special visit, especially as there is a 16th-century Tin Hau temple right next door.

By the way, the listed address of this hall is incorrect. Kwan Tei is a village about 2km to...