Living in History
Pak Sha O
As with many other Hakka villages, Pak Sha O faces due north. Walking into the valley, you see a large hill to the left of the village - the "Tiger" - and past the abandoned paddies, the largest hill in the area - the "Dragon". Nestled between such fearsome creatures, the village is considered to have good Feng Shui.
Yet this remote village's original Hakka inhabitants, a unique ethnic group who migrated southwards to escape war and famine about 300 years ago, are long gone. Their abandoned rice paddies are now pools of wild plants, wild cows, cattle egrets, and in the summer, dragonflies.
Thirty years ago the Ho clan was the largest of several in the village. With income from shipping, they built the walled compound in 1915. Its watchtower reminds us of a time gone by when pirates roamed the nearby harbour.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, built up the hill behind the village in 1898, attests to the penetration of Catholic missionaries into Hong Kong's countryside. In 1977, the entire population of 77 villagers, with the exception of the Yung clan, were Catholic. Mass was said on a rotating basis with other Sai Kung chapels once or twice a month.
Until the early 1970s, village residents still had a weekly helicopter service, and before the present road was built in 1957, a long walk to Sai Kung or the Tai Po ferry for goods. The short walk in from Hoi Ha Road today certainly makes shopping a much less onerous task.
These days the village is populated with Western families, some year round but most weekenders, enjoying the quiet lifestyle and the history that surrounds them.
Getting There
Take Green Minibus #7 from Sai Kung Town Centre towards Hoi Ha Wan. Get at off at Pak Sha O Youth Hostel stop. If you miss the stop - continue on to the next and last stop at Hoi Ha and walk back down the hill. Go to our Getting There page for more detailed information.Further Information:
Hong Kong Tourism Board - has developed a number of "themed press kits", this one is specifically on Pak Sha OPak Sha O Youth Hostel - information on the site and facilities from the HK Youth Hostels Association.