Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall, Ancestral hall in Sheung Shui Wai, Hong Kong.
Liu Man Shek Tong is a three-bay, three-hall ancestral hall with two courtyards, its halls set on stepped platforms. The main gate is brown, flanked by red sandstone walls and drum platforms, with a spirit wall outside. The roof is covered in green tiles and topped by a pair of fish-dragon ornaments.
Built in 1751 (Qianlong 16) as the largest ancestral hall of the Liu clan of Sheung Shui, Liu Man Shek Tong was restored in 1891 (Guangxu 17). From 1932 to 1974 it housed Fung Kai Primary School. A HK$1 million restoration, begun in 1984 and completed in 1985, was followed by its declaration as a monument that same year; Lady Youde officiated at the reopening on 1 March 1986.
The hall serves as a gathering space for Liu family descendants, particularly during spring celebrations when incense is lit and communal meals are shared among members. These traditions show how ancestral veneration remains a living practice that brings generations together.
The hall is open to visitors during certain hours, though access may be limited during family ceremonies or seasonal celebrations when the space is reserved for rituals. It is best to check ahead to ensure the site is accessible before planning a visit.
The name "Man Shek" (ten thousand shi) commemorates the Northern Song official Liu Gang and his four sons, each of whom held a post with a stipend of 2,000 shi of grain, totalling 10,000 shi. The hall was used as Fung Kai Primary School from 1932 until 1974, and in 2021 it was designated a Hong Kong base for Hakka cultural exchange.
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