In the early 1800s, Hong Kong was just a fishing village - at least that is the popularly held notion nowadays. But Tom Ming Kay-chuen, executive secretary of the Antiquities and Monuments Office, says Hong Kong during that period was far from being just a fishing community.
"They might be referring to a particular vicinity. In fact, there were other industries thriving in Hong Kong at that time," Ming says.
Ming roughly divides the city's history into two parts: before and after the start of British rule.
During the pre-colonial period, fishing and farming were some of the important industries in the New Territories.
"There were other industrial developments such as the blue and white porcelain manufacturing industry in Tai Po," Ming says.
Wun Yiu is in the northeast New Territories comprising several villages. It is believed to be the only known place in Hong Kong for large-scale manufacturing of blue and white wares for a long period of time.
The site - where pieces of the ancient kilns of Wun Yiu village can be found - was declared a monument in 1983.
"The production amounted to 400,000 pieces a year, showing that Wun Yiu was a major manufacturer and also a supplier to some Southeast Asian countries, as some porcelain fragments were discovered in Malaysia," Ming says.
Even Islamic objects, such as the kendi - a common water container used by Muslims across Southeast Asia - were found in the village even though they were rarely used by local p
eople and very likely ready to be exported to Muslim countries."The earliest dated porcelain fragment had a 'made in the 15th year of Chongzhen reign,' which could mean that the Wun Yiu kiln was produced in the late Ming dynasty."
Ming says that Wun Yiu shows the industrial and economic status of the New Territories, and proves that Hong Kong had more to offer other than fish and farm produces.
Lots of migrants from different parts of China entered Hong Kong, and the Man and Tse clans brought in their craftsmanship.
When they arrived in Hong Kong, they were probably looking for a suitable place to establish a kiln site.
The area that they chose had rich clay mines in the hills, dense vegetation and a rich supply of firewood.
Sufficient hydropower for the watermills was provided by the streams running down the hill.
Their proximity to a harbor - today's Tolo Harbour - proved to be advantageous as they were able to ship their porcelain products to other countries easily.
As finer and cheaper porcelain wares manufactured in kilns along the coast of Guangdong province emerged in the market, Wun Yiu faced tough competition from other sites. In the 1930s, it eventually ceased to operate.
After Hong Kong Island was occupied by the British in 1841, Central and Sheung Wan became the melting pot of different cultures.
The actual spot in Sheung Wan where British soldiers first landed was called Possession Point, while Hollywood Road was one of the first roads built in the city.
"Aberdeen Street was like an invisible line cutting Hollywood Road into two - the western half was populated with Chinese while the eastern half was popular with the British," Ming says.
Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road was an important landmark for the Chinese living in the area. Merchants raised money to build the temple in 1847 upon seeing the rapid influx of mainland migrants who were eager to earn a living in Hong Kong.
The temple was more than a place for worship and blessing. It was also a compound where they could hold social functions.
Kung sor was the assembly hall where community gatherings were held, disputes resolved and decisions made by social leaders.
In 1880, Tung Wah Hospital began to organize the Man Mo Temple Free School to provide free education for local citizens.
Heading east, one will find the former Police Married Quarters, which was also the site of the former Central School. Prominent figures like Ho Tung and Sun Yat-sen were graduates of the school.
The Central Police Station compound is located at 10 Hollywood Road.
"The compound contained the Central Police Station in front, the former Central Magistracy on one side and Victoria Prison at the back, where lawmaking and law enforcement were all done in one place, unlike today," Ming says.
The Commissioner for Heritage's Office under the Development Bureau has organized a roving exhibition that promotes the territory's various historical landmarks and heritage sites.
The Hollywood Road exhibition will be at the High Block of Queensway Government Offices until September 29 while the Wun Yiu exhibition will be at the lobby of the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre until October 31.
The Hong Kong Heritage Tourism Expo - Access Heritage provides a number of routes to historical sites around the SAR.
Website: www.heritage.gov.hk
