Yim Tin Tsai Storytelling

Community-based Narratives and Public Experiential Engagement for Cultural and Historical Heritage Conservation and Revitalisation of Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung

Yim Tin Tsai

Nestled away in a sunny bay, just a short boat ride from the bustling port community of Sai Kung, lies the serene and scenic isle of Yim Tin Tsai. Secluded though it be, this verdant island has a history of nearly 300 years, and is unique for being one of the few Hakka villages to integrate local beliefs and traditions with European Catholicism. In 1875, the village was inhabited exclusively by members of the Chan clan, who were one and all baptized at St. Joseph's Chapel, which can still be seen standing proudly overlooking the village and bay today – in fact, the chapel is so well preserved that it was awarded the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Merit in 2005 and listed as a Grade II Historic Building in Hong Kong in 2011. Beyond the church, Yim Tin Tsai also has several exhibits which explore Hakka culture, as well as criss-crossing trails that pass through the island’s beautiful and flourishing natural ecosystem of mangroves and camphor trees. Visitors may also enjoy touring the island’s salt pans, historically the most important productive industry in the village. Stroll across Yim Tin Tsai, escape from the tumultuous commotion of the city, as if across time and space, into a garden of plants – from East and West – that have grown to become entwined together.

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Our Research

The research project titled “Community-based Narratives and Public Experiential Engagement for Cultural and Historical Heritage Conservation and Revitalisation of Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung” is organised by The Chinese University of Hong Kong and fund by the Countryside Conservation Office and Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme. Based on a community-based narrative approach and public experiential engagement, this research project aims to generate valuable records and information about the culture and history of Yim Tin Tsai. Through villager consultations, workshops, and narrative tours, we would like to preserve the cultural heritage and to promote countryside preservation around Hong Kong.

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30/6/2024

Yim Tin Tsai Story Illustration Exhibition

The Yim Tin Tsai Storytelling project will be concluded on June 30 this year. Everyone who participates in our cultural and historical story tour should have seen the story illustrations that we invited senior painters to draw based on the oral history. Due to popular demand, we made special arrangements to have some of the works on public display before the project completion.

5/5/2024

Cultural and Historical Story Walks in Yim Tin Tsai (May)

The revival of the Yim Tin Tsai cultural and historical story walk has received enthusiastic support from everyone, and the project team would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude once again to public. Looking ahead to May, it is undoubtedly the most important month for the villagers of Yim Tin Tsai. Especially on the first Sunday of every May, the small island will organize a grand religious ceremony called the St. Joseph's Feast Day”. Villagers who have moved away from the island will return to participate in the Mass on that day. To support this event, our project team has arranged for our youth storytellers to share unique rural stories with everyone after the ceremony.

28/4/2024

Cultural and Historical Story Walks in Yim Tin Tsai (April)

The Yim Tin Tsai cultural and historical story walk theoretically ended in December last year in 2023. However, due to the exceeding registrations for each session and with the agreement of the funding party for public benefit, we have decided to provide more opportunities for friends who have not participated before to join our story walk and walk into Yim Tin Tsai to listen to stories. Although it’s a bit of a long talk, it’s worth another telling. For our all tours, the entire route of the story walk is designed by our youth storytellers. There may be games, perhaps the combination and interaction with multi-sensory? By the way, there will be mysterious little gifts for everyone.

Community-based Narratives and Public Experiential Engagement for Cultural and Historical Heritage Conservation and Revitalisation of Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung

The research project titled "Community-based Narratives and Public Experiential Engagement for Cultural and Historical Heritage Conservation and Revitalisation of Yim Tin Tsai, Sai Kung" is organised by The Chinese University of Hong Kong and funded by the Countryside Conservation Office and Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme. Please note that any views, research findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication/or in any project activities do not necessarily reflect the views of the HKSAR Government.

© The Chinese University of Hong Kong 2022

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