Rural leaders explore revitalising abandoned Hong Kong village to ‘cultural gem’ once home to Hakka families
Heritage trail, agricultural park, guest houses and home for the aged among possibilities being studied but there are worries about environmental impact
Hong Kong rural leaders are exploring ways to revitalise an abandoned village in the New Territories by building a heritage trail, an agricultural park, guest houses and a home for the aged.
A year-long study of remote coastal Chek Keng has been commissioned by the Heung Yee Kuk, a government-recognised body that represents the interests of rural villagers. A report is expected in the middle of next year, with the kuk to put its plan before officials afterwards.
Sai Kung North rural committee chairman Li Yiu-ban, also a core kuk member, said: “We hope to be able to find solutions to revitalise remote villages and make better use of the land there which is otherwise left idle. Chek Keng is a starting point.”
The village sits on a lowland facing East Arm Bay, known locally as Chek Keng Hau, along the northern coast of Sai Kung East Country Park. Inaccessible by car and served infrequently by ferry, Chek Keng is an hour’s walk from Pak Tam Au on the MacLehose Trail.
