Sam Tung Uk Museum, Hong Kong

Sam Tung Uk Museum, Hong Kong Overview

Located in Tsuen Wan area of Hong Kong, Sam Tung Uk Museum showcases the life of the Hakka people who lived in the Hakka hamlet of Sang Tung Uk 200 years ago. The main highlight of the museum is the agricultural implements that were used for farming during that time. No wonder, this museum is a haven for history lovers, heritage buffs and culture hounds.

Sam Tung Uk Museum sprawls across an area of 2000 square metres and reflects the rural lifestyle of the Chan clan that migrated to this region in the ancient era. Within the museum complex, there are several houses packed with traditional furnishings, agricultural items, kitchenware and more that belonged to this ethnic group. There is also an ancient village school at Sam Tung UK Museum that flaunts interactive displays as well as videos on traditional Hakka women, handicrafts and food. The Intangible Culture Heritage Centre was set up in 2016 that aims at enhancing people’s understanding of Intangible Cultural Heritage through demonstrations, exhibitions and lectures.

Exhibits at Sam Tung UK Museum

Exhibit, Sam Tung Uk Museum — The miniature replica of Sam Tung UK Museum (Source)

The museum complex has carefully preserved the rural life of the Hakka clan belonging to the 18th century.

The exhibits at Sam Tung UK Museum showcase a few houses, lecture and the exhibition halls as well as the local handicraft and agricultural tools used during those times.
The items related to farming are on permanent display while the other artefacts are changed after every six months.
There is an interactive exhibition, ‘The Way We Were' that allow visitors to touch the exhibits and get a hands-on experience of the Hakka lifestyle.

History of Sam Tung UK Museum

Sam Tung Uk Museum Hong Kong — The main entrance to the museum (Source)

Sam Tung Uk was built in the 18th century under the leadership of Chan Yam-shing of the Chan Clan. This clan moved to Guangdong from Fujian and afterwards settled in Hong Kong. The village was compact and fortified to protect the residents from bandit attacks. Originally, 60 houses stood straight facing the main building and their sides formed the surrounding wall. The site where this ethnic group lived is carefully restored and converted into a museum around 1987. The restoration work was funded by the Hong Kong Government and won the Pacific Heritage Award in the year 1990.