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Hong Kong’s Walled Villages are unique historical treasures that blend architecture, tradition, and cultural heritage. These villages were founded over a millennium ago when families from mainland China settled in what is now called the New Territories. These early settlers built homes, ancestral halls, and farmland, surrounding them with protective walls to guard against threats. Each village developed its own distinct community with specific customs and rules, traditionally allowing only family members and their spouses to live within.
The villages maintain a traditional patriarchal structure, where male descendants of the original families hold significant power. Only male heirs can inherit property, participate in village governance, and have their names recorded in family records alongside their wives and sons.
The modern era has brought changes to these ancient communities. While the physical walls no longer restrict access, and anyone can now rent property here, many traditional practices persist – particularly regarding women’s roles and recognition in the community.
While researching Fanling Lau, the walled village my father belongs to, I discovered an alarming lack of documented history. The few existing records are scattered across personal archives, making them challenging to find and access. This discovery strengthened my determination to create a comprehensive visual archive documenting the village’s life in the 21st century.
Through this documentation, I aim not only to preserve the current state of Fanling Lau but also to evaluate our collective efforts in maintaining its heritage. By examining both the residents’ involvement and society’s broader contributions, this project serves as a reflection on our commitment to preserving these invaluable historical communities for future generations.