Lin Ma Hang is a recognized village under the New TerritoriesSmall House Policy.[1] It is one of the villages represented within the Ta Kwu Ling District Rural Committee. For electoral purposes, Lin Ma Hang is part of the Sha Ta constituency, which is currently represented by Ko Wai-kei.[2][3]
Historyedit
People originated in the village are the Yip (葉) (or Ip, Yap, Yapp), Lau (劉), Sin (冼) and Koon (官) (or Kwun). It is named after a fruit called Lin Ma (蓮麻) that can be found in the mid-level streams.
At the time of the 1911 census, the population of Lin Ma Hang was 516. The number of males was 199.[5]
Abandoned lead mineedit
A lead mine was in operation in Lin Ma Hang starting in 1915.[6] Pb–Zn ore was mined there. The mine operated intermittently between 1915 and 1958, producing 16,000 tonnes of lead metal and 360,000 ounces of silver.[7] The Government rescinded the mining lease in 1962 and the mine was abandoned the same year.[6]
Fauna and floraedit
The abandoned lead mine now holds one of the most important bat colonies in Hong Kong, and was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1994.[8][9]
The Lin Ma Hang Stream was designated as a SSSI in 2008.[10] It supports 17 species of primary freshwater fish, representing 50% of all such species native to Hong Kong.[11]
The village is situated in the basin of the Robin's Nest (Chinese: 紅花嶺) which is famous for its abundance in "Hanging Bell Flowers" (吊鐘花).
MacIntosh Fort on Kong Shan above Lin Ma Han, Grade 2 historic building
Accessedit
Until 4 January 2016, the village was situated in the Frontier Closed Area and was therefore inaccessible to non-permit holders.
Since 4 January 2016, the village was excluded from the Frontier Closed Area. Nonetheless, a portion of Lin Ma Hang Road, the access road to the village, between Wang Lek and Lin Ma Hang, still falls within the closed area. Therefore, permits are still required for anyone visiting the village by road to travel on this section of road. [13][14] Green Minibus 59K from Sheung Shui Station operates to Lin Ma Hang. Passengers for Lin Ma Hang must have a closed area permit, or are required to alight at Wang Lek.[15][16]
A path (rough and with short steep sections in parts) parallel to the road outside the closed area has been built to allow non-permit holders to access or leave the village on foot.[17]
The village may also be accessed by hiking down from Robin's Nest.[18]
International Bridgeedit
There is also a small bridge, called the "international bridge" (國際橋) that crosses into Mainland China to allow local villagers on both sides of the border to cross and farm lots. It is located just outside the gate from the village to Lin Ma Hang Road. People using the bridge must have a special "Cross Border Farming Permit". The Mainland border post can be seen from the gate.[19][20]
Galleryedit
Lin Ma Hang Village Office
Village Office "Gold List" (recording villagers with a bachelor's degree or above)
Red Lotus Pavilion (located opposite the village office)
Yip Ancestral Hall
Yip Ancestral Hall
Interior of Yip Ancestral Hall
Interior of Yip Ancestral Hall
Interior of Yip Ancestral Hall
Interior of Yip Ancestral Hall
Interior of Yip Ancestral Hall
Interior of Yip Ancestral Hall
A sedan chair in Yip ancestral hall, used for marriage in ancient times
Yip Ancestral Hall
Traditional village houses
Traditional village houses
The pond facing the buildings (the pond water has been temporarily drained)
Kai Ming Gate
Inside the Kaiming Gate (Note: The black memorial tablet on the left has a long history)
Black memorial tablet
Abandoned house
Overlooking Lin Ma Hang Village
Referencesedit
^"List of Recognized Villages under the New Territories Small House Policy" (PDF). Lands Department. September 2009.
^"Recommended District Council Constituency Areas (North District)" (PDF). Electoral Affairs Commission. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
^"North District Council - North DC Members". District Council. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
^ abThe Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Hong Kong Branch Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine
^"Civil Engineering and Development Department: Economic Geology - Metalliferous minerals". Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
^Green Power: Lin Ma Hang lead mine, Hong Kong bat sanctuary[permanent dead link]
^"Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine (Lower Cave)". Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
^Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Report 2007-2008
^Planning Department: Land Use Planning for the Closed Area – Development Potential & Constraints[permanent dead link]
^Video of Minibus 59K driving along closed area in Ling Ma Hang Road. This was taken in June 2003 before a new larger fence was built on the Mainland China side of the road