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Kat Hing Wai

Kat Hing Wai

Write: Andraya [2011-05-23]

The Kam Tin area consists of a cluster of wai, walled villages, that were established in the 19th century by the Tang clan, a family of high-ranking civil servants in the imperial court of China, and also the first of the Cantonese "Five Great Clans" to migrate to the New Territories from China. These walled villages were built for defence against warlike neighbors and pirates. Kat Hing Wai is the best known amongst these walled villages, as its fortifications are the most complete. The village may be modern inside, but it's still surrounded by a moat and walls with four corner guardhouse towers. Hakka women, sporting traditional hats, are usually clustered around the entrance, and are quite happy to be photographed.