導賞點 4
認識擁有300年歷史的荔枝窩客家村
Know more about this 300-year-old Hakka Lai Chi Wo Village
荔枝窩是擁有超過三百年歷史的客家圍村,村民主要姓曾和姓黃,1950年代全盛時期人口過500人。雖然不少村民已移居海外或遷至巿區,現時長居村中的人家寥寥無幾,但村內屋舍及村前入口的風水圍牆卻保存得十分完整,據說百多年前荔枝窩本是一個窮困的村落,一位風水大師建議在村中建圍牆為村莊擋煞,之後村運果然轉好,這道風水圍牆由村民一直修護至今。
Lai Chi Wo is a Hakka village, with history dating back over 300 years. Most of its residents were of Tsang and Wong family decedents. In the 1950s, the population swelled to around 500 people during its prime. Although many villagers migrated overseas or moved into the urban area, a handful of villagers remain. A feng shui wall protecting the front entrance and village houses has been well preserved and is fully intact. It has been said that hundreds of years ago, Lai Chi Wo was a poverty-stricken village. A feng shui master recommended erecting a wall around the village to ward off bad luck. Thereafter, the village prospered ever since and villagers have committed themselves to maintaining the wall till this day.
除了風水圍牆,村後亦有一幅超過5公頃風水林(Fung Shui Woodland),一直以來受到村民致力保護。林中有超過100種植物,是本港原生生態的一個「種子庫」。荔枝窩風水林中亦不乏百年老樹,當中一棵古老秋楓樹,又名「空心樹」,就最吸引遊客,據說秋楓樹在數十年前受到細菌感染,樹的中央部分慢慢被蛀空,令樹幹的中央和底部呈現大洞,但該樹現在仍展現頑強的生命力,枝葉茂盛。
In addition to the feng shui wall, over 5 hectares of Feng Shui Woodland sits behind the village. It too, has received the utmost care and maintenance from its residents. Over 100 different plant species exist in the woodland, making it a “seed bank” for Hong Kong’s plant ecology. There is no shortage of hundred-year-old trees at Lai Chi Wo Feng Shui Woodland. A particular “hollow tree” captures the most attention of visitors. It is said, the maple tree got infected with bacteria which slowly hollowed out the middle. However, the tree still shows tenacious vitality and lush foliage.
荔枝窩風水林在2005年已被劃為特別地區,受《郊野公園及特別地區規例》保護。為保護老樹,荔枝窩自然步道以木板棧道方式建造,把步行通道升高,避免大量旅客的腳步直接踩踏在樹根及覆蓋樹根的泥土上。
In 2005, Lai Chi Wo was designated as a special region and subject to the Country Park and Special Areas ordinance. To protect the old trees, the Lai Chi Wo Nature Trail was constructed in the form of a wooden walkway. Some parts have been elevated above the ground to avoid tourists from trampling on tree roots and soil covering the tree roots.
荔枝窩全村共有200多間村屋,分為三條直巷九條街,井然有序,村內並有水道貫穿。村中大部分房屋都均以青磚和泥磚建成,部分村屋更留有昔日農用工具展示,如:石磨,打穀機等,對於來自城市的遊人,荔枝窩是個難得可以一瞥客家傳統生活的好地方。
Lai Chi Wo has more than 200 village houses and is well organised. The village is divided by three straight streets and nine lanes in an orderly fashion, with waterways running through the village. Most houses are built with bluish-grey bricks and clay tiles. Some village houses even have old agricultural tools on display, such as stone mills, threshing machines etc. For the average tourist city dweller, Lai Chi Wo is a fantastic place that offers a rare glimpse of an authentic Hakka way of life.
近年荔枝窩村積極推行鄉郊活化及保育,包括鄉村復耕、文化保育計劃、文化藝術活動等。
In recent years, Lai Chi Wo village has been actively promoting rural revitalisation and conservation. Activities include rural rehabilitation, cultural preservation programs, cultural and arts activities, and so on.
今年(2019)亦適逢新界東北的沙頭角慶春約七村 (包括荔枝窩、鎖羅盆、梅子林、三椏、牛屎湖、蛤塘與小灘)十年一度的太平清醮,令近日的荔枝窩村更顯熱鬧。
This year, Lai Chi Wo has become alive as 2019 coincides with a decennial Tai Ping Ching Chiu or otherwise known as the Sha Tau Kok Hing Chun Yeuk Da Chiu Festival. Hing Chun Yeuk is an alliance of seven Hakka villages (including Lai Chi Wo, So Lo Pun, Mui Tsz Lam, Sam A, Ngau Shi Wu, Kop Tong and Siu Tan).