Kam Tin Tree House, Ancient tree house in Kam Tin, Hong Kong.
Kam Tin Tree House is a stone structure that has been completely enveloped by a massive banyan tree, with its roots and branches penetrating through the brick walls and foundations. The site now displays a remarkable fusion between human construction and the tree's organic growth.
The stone house was built during the late Ming Dynasty by the Tang clan and later abandoned following a Qing Dynasty evacuation order that affected coastal residents. This displacement marked the end of the building's active use and allowed nature to gradually reclaim it.
The stone structure's purpose is still debated among residents, with some believing it was a temple while others think it served as a study room for the Tang family. These questions show how the past remains part of the community's living memory.
The site is located in Shui Mei Tsuen village near the local playground in Yuen Long, accessible by way of rural paths. Visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and wear sturdy shoes to safely navigate around the roots and ancient stone structures.
The centuries-old banyan tree continues its natural growth, slowly drawing more of the stone building into its expanding root system. This slow process reveals how the boundary between human construction and nature gradually dissolves over time.
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