Liu Man Shek Tong

　　   Liu Man Shek Tong is located between the Menkou Village and Zhongxin Village in Sheung Shui, New Territories, Hong Kong. It is the largest ancestral hall of the Liu Clan in Sheung Shui and was built in the 16th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1751). It was renovated once in the 17th year of the Guangxu reign. The name “Man Shek” (Ten Thousand Stones) originates from the legend that Liu’s distant ancestor, Liu Gang, along with his four sons, all held high government positions during the Northern Song Dynasty. Each earned an annual salary of 2,000 stones of grain, adding up to 10,000 stones in total. In their honor, the ancestral hall was named Liu Man Shek Tong.

　　   In 1985, Liu Man Shek Tong was designated as a declared monument of Hong Kong. Located at the head of a dragon vein, the structure features high and imposing windows. Its interior is spacious and bright, with a deep and solemn layout. The central hall is exquisitely crafted, using brick, timber, and stone construction methods typical of the Ming and Qing styles. The building is divided into three sections, each situated on platforms of varying heights and adorned with decorative beams and brackets painted in vibrant colors. The roof is supported by two gable walls.

　　   The first section is called the “Front Hall,” which has a relatively low platform base. It is used for receiving guests and storing miscellaneous items. The second section is the “Middle Hall,” featuring a plaque inscribed with “Ze Mian Wan Shek” (Virtue Extends Across Ten Thousand Stones), serving as the venue for meetings, celebrations, and banquets. The ancestral altar is located in the “Rear Hall,” which has the highest platform. It enshrines the spirit tablets of ancestors, with the central seat dedicated to Liu Guangjing, the Song Dynasty chancellor and grand secretary. The middle row honors the founding ancestors of Sheung Shui Village, from Liu Zhongjie to the fourth-generation ancestors, arranged in the traditional order of left (Zhaomu) and right (Mumu). The lower row is dedicated to the deity of the central room. The two side wings are the “Pei Xian Ci” (Ancestral Hall for Meritorious Officials) and the “Pei Xiang Ci” (Ancestral Hall for Contributors), enshrining the spirit tablets of ancestors who achieved scholarly honors and those who contributed to the construction of the ancestral hall, respectively.

　　   Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall Must-visit reason: The largest ancestral hall of the Liu Clan in Sheung Shui, Hong Kong