Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall, Ancestral hall in Sheung Shui Wai, Hong Kong.
Liu Man Shek Tong is an ancestral hall featuring red entry gates, stone columns, and a roof tiled in traditional Chinese style. The structure follows classic Chinese architectural principles typical of family shrines from this period.
The hall was built in 1751 by the Liu family to honor Liu Kong and his four sons, who accumulated significant wealth during imperial times. It stands as a physical record of the family's rise to prosperity during that era.
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 Liu Man Shek literally translates to ten thousand stones, referring to the annual salary that the founding family earned in earlier times. This unusual naming choice reveals how much the family valued wealth and the achievement that made them prominent.
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