Fanling
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| Fanling in HK |
Fanling and Sheung Shui were extremely far from Hong Kong Island and the Sheung Shui was actually just located inside the boundary between Hong Kong and China (Shenzhen). Fanling is located in Northeast of New Territories, with Tai Po on the southeast and Sheung Shui on the Northwest. It is a component of the North District[1], 3 other sub-areas. The North District is bound by Shenzhen as mentioned above and is one of the most densely populated district in HK, with 2, 228 persons / sq.km and account for 4.3% of HK’ s entire population.
As it is bound district with China, a lot of refugees from China cross border and settled down there since the Anti-Japanese and Civil Wars in China, which make the population within the district increased dramatically and formed its own Clan Culture. Walking through Fanling, you will found some unique features comparing with areas in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The topography is plain so it is an ideal place for bicycling; the taxies there are also the uniformed Toyota but in Green Color.
Even though, the area is still a major green and agricultural area of Hong Kong with much land undeveloped. In recent years, the Government has initiated a plan on “Developing Northeast[2]” including Fanling North, Ta Kwu Ling and Kwu Tung North. It is originally proposed to solve 3 long-existing problems in HK:1) Increase land supply;2) Reduce population density in urban area;3) Improve industrial and commercial function of the North District.The government’s plan is forward-looking, but due to various reasons, they met with many obstacles like:1) Relocation difficulty of the original residents;2) Influence on local agriculture;3) Land exchange and compensation controversies. etc.
For my understanding, Fanling and the North District is linking point of Hong Kong and China, therefore its culture and history are emerged and combined by original local villagers there and new immigrants from other parts of China. During our visits there, we could find the much part of the area is still accompanied by traditional Chinese style, which have not been changed for several hundred years.
On development potential or just from urbanization perspective, the area of HK Northeast should be developed further. But it cannot be materialized that smoothly as the government planned, as mentioned above, the “change” is “painful” to many stakeholders, “local evolution” of economy and international process is actually always accompanied by” cultural resistance”. There are still years to go before the government development plan can be realized completely.
Sheung Shui
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| Farmland in Sheung Shui |
After a heavy rain, we continued our steps towards Sheung Shui, seems that we were going to walk away from Hong Kong as we were getting nearer and nearer to the frontier. The land in Sheung Shui seemed greener as most of the area there were still farmland. It was still quite traditional as we did not see any modern agricultural facilities in their farmland. There are also divided farm plots along the way. Actually, these are the plots for workforce who used to live a farming life in the country before but may now work in HK Island or Kowloon, they might came back at weekend to recall their enjoyment of farming on green and natural farmland to relax themselves.
The houses in the village were still in its old image and separated randomly within Sheung Shui village[3]. It sometimes caused troubles for the postman as it could be very challenging for them to find the specific location addressed on the envelope. The Sheung Shui village seemed the only place with its original layout and nature maintained.There was a river outside Sheung Shui village called Ng Tung River. Walking along the waterfront of the river on a rainy day was extremely a pleasure. The paths along the river are holed with 2 major applications: 1) to accommodate more green 2) to protect flooding. What a smart design.
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| Sheung Shui Marketplace |
The Sheung Shui marketplace[4] is a famous place in the old days and was busy and prosperous in 1950s to serve locals of the entire Sheung Shui area. However, after a fire in 1957, some of the heritage was damaged with limited ones left.However, after new planning, there are some new developments within the area, which facilitate modern urban functions.
The prosperity of marketplace in Sheung Shui emerged from its culture and history background but not a strategic planning perspective. As mentioned above, the area has long been a market area with hundreds of years’ history. Its “downtown” status cannot be changed easily as the local people there already get accustomed to its style and location.As an intersection of HK and China; and a center between urban area and villages, the Sheung Shui marketplace also has its own features:
- Commodities are rather cheap than Kowloon and HK Island;
- More smuggling goods from and to China on sale: HK milk powder etc.
- The new walking streets are more convenient, with no steps and vehicles prohibition etc.
“The tale of two towns” has demonstrated and
witnessed thousands anecdotes on the combined culture and history of Hong Kong and
Mainland China. They evolved with history and thrived on culture. Hundreds of years
have passed and they seemed different from what they originally looks like. But
one thing is everlasting: the old villages should and must develop under the economic
push and urbanization trend to survive. They can maintain their tradition, lifestyle
and culture, but to live themselves in a forever changing world, they need to spare
no effort and suffer pains. And that’s how Fanling and Sheung Shui sharped themselves
as what they look like today.
References:
[1] North District (http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%97%E5%8D%80_(%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF))
[2] Northeast Development Plan (http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%96%B0%E7%95%8C%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%97%E7%99%BC%E5%B1%95%E8%A8%88%E5%8A%83)
[3] Sheung Shui Village (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheung_Shui)
[4] Sheung Shui and Fanling Market (http://www.stay.com/hong-kong/shopping/15058/sheung-shui-and-fanling-markets/)
