Yim Tin Tsai - A Winemaking Journey in Hong Kong's Hometown

#100 Ways to Travel #Small Island #Yantianzi #Sake #Sakemaking #Salt Fields Yantianzi is located on an outlying island west of Sai Kung Hoi Yan, formerly known as "Shell Island", named after the salt fields on the island. As early as three centuries ago, our ancestors living in the Yantian Port area of ​​Shenzhen began to make a living by drying salt here. Later they migrated to Yantianzi and settled there, making a living by drying salt. The salt fields at Yim Tin Tsai were once very prosperous and were sufficient to supply the needs of the entire Sai Kung area. Unfortunately, due to various factors, the villagers gradually gave up this traditional handicraft, and the salt fields were transformed into fish ponds. Later, the conservation center actively restored the salt fields in an effort to recreate the splendor of the salt fields of the past. It was exactly 11 o'clock when I arrived at Sai Kung Pier today. After enjoying some Sai Kung delicacies, I took the ferry operated by the Salt and Light Conservation Center to Yim Tin Tsai Village and arrived at today's destination, Yim Tin Tsai Village, at 12:10. Yim Tin Tsai covers an area of ​​about 0.31 hectares, about the size of 1.6 Victoria Parks, and is one of Sai Kung's outlying islands. The first thing we did when we arrived in Shiota Azusa Village was to participate in a sake brewing event held on the island. The special feature of this activity is the use of spring water from the salt field on Azusa Island to brew sake, paired with 5 million goku produced in Japan, and the sake koji makes the final taste more unique. Under professional guidance, I brewed a bottle of sake of my own, which was truly a valuable experience. After participating in the wine-making activity, I immediately went to visit the only salt field in Hong Kong on the island that produces salt using the sun-dried method. The name Yantianzi comes from this. In the past, there was a six-acre salt field here, which was enough to supply the salt production demand of the entire Saigon area. Although only a small piece of the salt pan remains, the conservation center is actively restoring it in an effort to recreate the splendor of the salt pan in the past. Their efforts were recognized with the UNESCO Asia-Pacific "Cultural Heritage Conservation Excellence Award" in 2015. Standing in front of this salt field, I felt as if I was traveling through time and space, and felt the scene of my ancestors working hard to dry salt here. The salt grains produced here are square, and the crystal patterns appear crystal clear under the sunlight. Yantianzi has a large area of ​​mangroves, with countless tidal crabs and mudskippers, as well as different insect and plant species, which fully presents the perfect integration of man and nature. After visiting the salt fields, I went to visit St. Joseph's Chapel and the cultural relics room converted from Dengbo Primary School. St. Joseph's Chapel was built in 1890 and is the landmark of Yantianzi Village. Its simple architectural design gives people a strong sense of rural flavor. The chapel also received the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Conservation Award in 2005. Dengbo Primary School was founded in 1846 and closed in 1997. Today, one of its school buildings has become the village’s cultural relic display room, and the other serves as a multi-purpose exhibition room, allowing visitors to gain a deeper understanding of the history of this land. The small island of Yantianzi is completely conserved. It carries the precious history and culture of the metropolis of Hong Kong, and is worth everyone's exploration. Yanguang Conservation Center ferry service hours: Scheduled: Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays, except public holidays) Outbound (from Sai Kung Hung Kee Seafood Restaurant Pier) 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 Return (from Yim Tin Tsai Pier) 12:20, 14:20, 16:00, 17:00