Hong Kong Photo Gallery - Tsuen Wan Sam Tung Uk Museum

Sam Tung Uk was once a walled village with a 200 year history. Built in 1786 by the Chan clan, it was built in what was countryside back then and now it is surrounded by urban developments. The villagers have since been relocated further uphill and their former home has been turned into a museum. In 2016, it became an intangible cultural heritage centre to showcase traditional village culture.

The walled village is laid out symmetrically with rooms on either side of the 3 lanes. Today, these rooms have turned into exhibition halls.

This auspicious object is used after a male child is born.

These oak moulds are used to make Chiu Chow sugar loaf offerings. The hot syrup is poured in and the entire mould is immersed in water to cool and harden. They are used to give thanks to the deities and to pray for good fortune. After the ceremonies, the sugar loaf is boiled into a sweet soup to share with the community.

Guangcai porcelain dates back some 300 years and is denoted by fine brushwork, extensive themes, and rich colours, with an emphasis on golden glaze. It was exported abroad with the original white porcelain bodies made in Jingdezhen and then enriched by local painters. As life in China became unstable in the early 20th century, manufacturers and painters moved to Hong Kong to continue their business, thriving during the 1950s to 70s.
Hong Kong's first hand-painted porcelain factory was set up in 1928 in Kowloon City. It still operates today by the third generation and continues to produce Guangcai porcelain with Chinese and Western elements.

During traditional festivals, large flower boards are hung to showcase the event. These are made of bamboo strips and iron wire as a frame, and masters draw patterns of dragons and phoenixes on top.

The "Lost and Sound Exhibition" looks at local culture with exhibits from various festivals, deity celebrations, and anchestral worship. When a son is born, lanterns are hung in ancestral halls or worshipping locations for 15 days.

The dim sum exhibition gives a few examples of popular dishes we have and how the bamboo steamers are made.

During the walled village era, this area was agricultural, with rice, pineapple, sweet potato, and vegetables grown. The surplus was sold at a nearby market. Industry came after World War II and these farmlands disappeared.

Galvanised iron does not rust, is durable, and affordable. Hence, it is used for many different types of items, from cash boxes, mahjong boxes, and mailboxes to air ducts. Their popularity waned as plastic became more prevalent by the 1980s.

A basin meal is served at a major event such as weddings and the birth of a son. The feast symbolizes the clan's unity with key ingredients such as stewed pork, mushrooms, radish, fried bean curd, and squid. Sauce-absorbing foods go on the bottom while meat is placed above.


Sam Tung Uk was once a walled village with a 200 year history. Built in 1786 by the Chan clan, it was built in what was countryside back then and now it is surrounded by urban developments. The villagers have since been relocated further uphill and their former home has been turned into a museum. In 2016, it became an intangible cultural heritage centre to showcase traditional village culture. The walled village is laid out symmetrically with rooms on either side of the 3 lanes. Today, these rooms have turned into exhibition halls. This auspicious object is used after a male child is born. These oak moulds are used to make Chiu Chow sugar loaf offerings. The hot syrup is poured in and the entire mould is immersed in water to cool and harden. They are used to give thanks to the deities and to pray for good fortune. After the ceremonies, the sugar loaf is boiled into a sweet soup to share with the community. Guangcai porcelain dates back some 300 years and is denoted by fine brushwork, extensive themes, and rich colours, with an emphasis on golden glaze. It was exported abroad with the original white porcelain bodies made in Jingdezhen and then enriched by local painters. As life in China became unstable in the early 20th century, manufacturers and painters moved to Hong Kong to continue their business, thriving during the 1950s to 70s. Hong Kong's first hand-painted porcelain factory was set up in 1928 in Kowloon City. It still operates today by the third generation and continues to produce Guangcai porcelain with Chinese and Western elements. During traditional festivals, large flower boards are hung to showcase the event. These are made of bamboo strips and iron wire as a frame, and masters draw patterns of dragons and phoenixes on top. The "Lost and Sound Exhibition" looks at local culture with exhibits from various festivals, deity celebrations, and anchestral worship. When a son is born, lanterns are hung in ancestral halls or worshipping locations for 15 days. The dim sum exhibition gives a few examples of popular dishes we have and how the bamboo steamers are made. During the walled village era, this area was agricultural, with rice, pineapple, sweet potato, and vegetables grown. The surplus was sold at a nearby market. Industry came after World War II and these farmlands disappeared. Galvanised iron does not rust, is durable, and affordable. Hence, it is used for many different types of items, from cash boxes, mahjong boxes, and mailboxes to air ducts. Their popularity waned as plastic became more prevalent by the 1980s. A basin meal is served at a major event such as weddings and the birth of a son. The feast symbolizes the clan's unity with key ingredients such as stewed pork, mushrooms, radish, fried bean curd, and squid. Sauce-absorbing foods go on the bottom while meat is placed above.

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