Stilt Houses

"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us."

Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British politican

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When it comes to the most distinctive architecture style of Tai O fishing village, stilt houses may evoke in my mind immediately. Tai O is one of the few remaining fishing villages in Hong Kong and a rare example of a traditional Chinese stilt house community. If you are cultural seeker or photographer, stilt houses should be a paradise for you to visit!

The traditional Chinese stilt houses, which were built on broomsticks or crude ladders in a narrow river channel, tied the community to water. They are inhabited mostly by the fisherfolk, descendants of the ancient Yueh tribe, Hong Kong’s first major settlers. On the other hand, stilt houses constructed closely or even aligned walls with each other, combining the houses into a large community construction and also forming a harmonious neighborhood.

But at the same time, it bears the safety risk to cope with several severe natural disasters. In fact, the boat trip guide told us that some of stilt huts were accidentally burnt out in 2000. Therefore, we may see in nowadays some newly painted spilt houses are built with newer looking metal structures. Some are even under construction or renovation. Apart from the integration of dilapidated and modern stilt houses, there are cafes and restaurants open alongside the waterfront in the estuary.

To take a deep look into their residential house, their living styles in stilt houses is totally different with the citizens who live outside Tai O. Some houses far away from the main street have broken windows with very primitive exposed wall. Barefooted grannies play Mahjong on balconies overlooking the canal, their front doors flung wide open. We may also see some salted egg yolks sit drying in the afternoon sun.