Residents of historic Hong Kong village run out of options as evictions loom

Tin Sam Tsuen set to be levelled to give way to Hung Shui Kiu and Ha Tsuen New Development Area as part of Northern Metropolis megaproject

The picturesque old village of Tin Sam Tsuen in Hong Kong, marked by small houses built with bricks in a traditional colour and an ancestral hall with green and white walls, has been home to generations of residents for hundreds of years.

From traditional rituals to celebrate newborns to flowing banquets during festive occasions, the historic village of about 50 households in far-flung Hung Shui Kiu also holds many memories for its residents.

Villagers would come together, moving in and out of the clan hall to share meals laid out across 20 to 30 tables.

Chan Ho-yee, who is in her forties, has been living in a house built by her late father since she was born.

She says the Chans’ clan has been settled in the village for more than 360 years.

“In the past, during Chinese New Year, all neighbours would visit our grandfather here at our ancestral house,” she recalled.

“When one of our uncles got married, we cooked poon choi here and held a flowing banquet for three days,” said Chan, referring to a traditional Cantonese festive meal composed of many layers of ingredients – often including prawns, scallops and abalone – in one large bowl.