The Hau Clan’s Landmark

The Hau’s are perhaps the most prominent clan in Ho Sheung Heung, due to their long history and notable presence in the area. The genealogy of the Hau’s goes back to the earliest settlement in the now-Hebei area of China. During the Song Dynasty, the Hau’s moved southward to Guangdong. Onwards to the Ming Dynasty, Hau Cheuk-Fung, an 11th generation descendant, learned about this fertile farmland area and settled down in Ho Sheung Heung. It has been 600 years since the Hau’s found their home here.

The Hau’s built the Hau Ku Shek Ancestral Hall during the late Ming Dynasty to memorialise the 17th generation ancestor Hau Ku-shek. The wooden plaque above the main facade is dated to the 27th year of the Qianlong Reign of the Qing Dynasty. This indicates that the ancestral hall was renovated that year.

As an ancestral hall, the main purpose that it serves is the commemoration of ancestors. The altar in the middle hall remains the site of ancestral reverence. Of the three halls in the Hau Ku Shek Ancestral Hall, and the rear hall, of two storeys, once served as the village school. The lower level served as the teachers’ accommodation, and the upper level was the site for instruction. The school closed during WWII. The rear hall was once the venue for the Ho Kai Kindergarten until the 1970s.

There are some notable architectural features at the Hau Ku Shek Ancestral Hall. The beams feature carefully carved figurines, usually in auspicious patterns or depict a scene of famous Chinese folklores.

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Post by Helen Yu (Chestnut Journal) | Apr 14, 2025