Pak Sha O (Chinese: 白沙澳) is an area and a village of Sai Kung North, in Tai Po District, Hong Kong.

Entrance Hall of Ho Residence in Pak Sha O.
Watchtower Ho Residence in Pak Sha O.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel.
Pak Sha O Youth Hostel.

Administration edit

Pak Sha O and Pak Sha O Ha Yeung (白沙澳下洋) are recognized villages under the New Territories Small House Policy.[1]

History edit

It has been reported that the villages of Sham Chung, Lai Chi Chong and Pak Sha O had historically close social ties.[2]

At the time of the 1911 census, the population of Pak Sha O was 117. The number of males was 52.[3]

Chapel edit

Pak Sha O is the site of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel (聖母無玷之心小堂). A first chapel was built in Pak Sha O in 1880 on another site.[4] The conversion of Pak Sha O into a Catholic village partly resulted from the desire of the villagers to combat the harassment of the tax-lords of Sheung Shui. The current chapel was built between 1915 and 1923. The site is now used as a training campsite by the Catholic Scout Guild.[5]

Other features edit

  • Several buildings of the former Ho Residence and the Ho Ancestral Hall, as well as the King Siu Sai Kui and Hau Fuk Mun in Pak Sha O are Grade I historic buildings.
  • Pak Sha O Youth Hostel (白沙澳青年旅舍)
  • King Siu Sai Kui and Hau Fuk Mun in nearby Pak Sha O Ha Yeung (白沙澳下洋) are Grade I historic buildings.

References edit

  1. ^ "List of Recognized Villages under the New Territories Small House Policy" (PDF). Lands Department. September 2009.
  2. ^ Faure, David (1982). "Saikung, The Making of the District and its Experience during World War II". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch. 23: 207. ISSN 1991-7295.
  3. ^ Hase, Patrick (1996). "Traditional Life in the New Territories: The Evidence of the 1911 and 1921 Censuses" (PDF). Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong Branch. 36: 80. ISSN 1991-7295.
  4. ^ Heaver, Stuart (27 February 2016). "The abandoned churches of Sai Kung: how Italian missionaries established Hakka congregations in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post.
  5. ^ Historic Building Appraisal: Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Pak Sha O

Further reading edit

External links edit

22°26′56″N 114°19′10″E / 22.4489°N 114.31955°E / 22.4489; 114.31955