NEW TERRITORY
سويد
762
Anyone who has visited the out-lying parts of the New Territories must have wondered what history and legends were attached to some of the localities, even before Britain's advent to this part of the world. For instance, how many of us, who have visited or heard of the Bride's Pool, know its legend: or understand the significance of the name of Castle Peak?
I am obliged to Mr. A. Morris for forwarding the following which are efforts by two former students:
Sun Neung T'am (the Bride's Pool) situated in the north-eastern part of the New Territory, quite close to the village of Wo Kau T'ang. It is a secluded place, and because of lack of communication, Hong Kong people know little about it. Around the pool there is dense mass of vegetation which is a pretty sight. There is an overhanging cliff with a waterfall. Even in the dog days, you never feel hot if you are at this spot.
The pool is formed by a big stream, in the bed of which are many rocks. The water is very clear and quite deep. Some of the villagers have tried to find out how deep the pool is. They let down a rope more than 100 feet long, with a stone at the end but they could not reach the bottom.
*
There is a legend concerning this pool. Between the Ming and the Tsing dynasties, a bride seated in her chair was on her way to the bridegroom's house, and passing by the pool in the evening. Unfortunately, the stream was in flood, and the bride was drowned. All the coolies and musicians being killed at the same time. The villagers felt sad at this and called it "The Bride's Pool."
When the New Territories became a British possession, the then Police Magistrate Mr. (afterwards Sir) Cecil Clementi, and some of the elders of the New Territory subscribed some money, and a bridge of granite built about the pool. A stone tablet was placed at the side of the bridge, on which were carved the names of the subscribers. The Superintendent of the Botanical and Forestry Department has planted different trees there and a notice has been put up forbidding people to cut the trees for firewood.
There is a small pathway by the bridge, from which can be seen the overhanging cliff and the waterfall. The cliff is very high (several ten cheung) and is a natural stone wall, which at the lower part forms a pearly screen. The sound of the falling water fills the listeners with feelings of happiness and a freedom from all care. (Written by S.H.P., September 1, 1918).
Tsing Shan
A short account of the Tsing Shan Monastery. Monastery is the oldest of its kind in the New Territory, and it has a history of 1440 years. The old building has already collapsed, and the present one was rebuilt by the natives of the place. In 428 A.D. a certain monk called Pou To came to live on this hill. Afterwards people called it the Pou To Hill. Tsing Shan is the modern name.
In the north of the hill there was a castle and because of it the Englishmen call this hill the Castle Peak.
In 954 A.D. when the provinces of Kwangtung and Kwangsi were a princedom called Nam Hon, an officer named Chan Tsun carved a bust of the Monk Pou To and put it in a cave, which we still can find there. In the 18th day of the 2nd moon in the 12th year of Tai Po of Nam Hon (A.D. 970) the
NEW TERRITORY
سويد
762
Anyone who has visited the out-lying parts of the New Territories must have wondered what history and legends were attached to some of the localities, even before Britain's advent to this part of the world. For instance, how many of us, who have visited or heard of the Bride's Pool, know its legend: or understand the significance of the name of Castle Peak?
I am obliged to Mr. A. Morris for forwarding the following which are efforts by two former students:
Sun Neung T'am (the Bride's Pool) situated in the north- eastern part of the New Territory, quite close to the village of Wo Kau T'ang. It is a secluded place, and because of lack of communication, Hong Kong people know little about it. Around the pool there is dense mass of vegetation which is a pretty sight. There is an overhanging cliff with a waterfall. Even in the dog days, you never feel hot if you are at this spot.
The pool is formed by a big stream, in the bed of which are many rocks. The water is very clear and quite deep. Some of the villagers have tried to find out how deep the pool is. They let down a rope more than 100 feet long, with a stone at the end but they could not reach the bottom.
*
There is a legend concerning this pool. Between the Ming and the Tsing dynasties, a bride seated in her chair was on her way to the bridegroom's house, and passing by the pool in the evening. Unfortunately, the stream was in flood, and the bride was drowned. All the coolies and musicians being killed at the same time. The villgers.felt sad at this and called it "The Bride's Pool."
When the New Territories became a British possession, the then Police Magistrate Mr. (afterwards Sir) Cecil Clementi, and some of the elders of the New Territory subscribed some money, and a bridge of granite built about the pool. A stone; tablet was placed at the side of the bridge, on which were carved the names of the subscribers. The Superintendent. of the Botanical and Forestry Department has planted different trees there and a notice has been put up forbidding people to cut the trees for firewood.
There is a small pathway by the bridge, from which can be seen the overhanging cliff and the waterfall. The cliff is very high (sveral ten cheunge) and is a natural stone wall, which at the lower part forms a pearly screen. The sound of the falling water fills the listeners with feelings of happiness and a freedom from all care. (Written by S.H.P., - September 1, 1918).
Tsing Shan
A short account of the Tsing Shan Monastery. Monastery is the oldest of its kind in the New Territory, and it has a history of 1440 years. The old building has already collapsed, and the present one was rebuilt by the natives of the place. In 428 A.D. a certain monk called Pou To came to live on this hill. Afterwards people called it the Pou To Hill. Tsing Shan is the modern name.
In the north of the hill there was a castle and because of it the Englishmen call this hill the Castle Peak.
In 954 A. D. when the provinces of Kwangtung and Kwangsi were a princedom called Nam Hon, an officer named Chan Tsun carved a bust of the Monk Pou To and put it in a cave, which we still can find there. In the 18th day of the 2nd. moon in the 12th. year of Tai Po of Nam Hon (A.D. 970) the
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