Yim Tin Tsai, a tiny island south of the Sai Kung peninsula, was once a thriving Hakka community where fishing and hunting were part of daily life.
It also produced salt – Yim Tin Tsai literally means “little salt pan” in Cantonese – a commodity in high demand for preserving food before the advent of refrigeration.
But things turned sour about a century ago when cheap salt imported from Vietnam and China forced residents to move in search of better opportunities, the final few leaving the island around 1998.
At the beginning of 2000, steps were taken to revive the island’s salt pans, and the area transformed into an educational hub and eco-tourism destination that would later receive Unesco recognition.
To shine a light on the island’s past, a Salt Making Workshop will be held there on November 19 and December 22, as part of the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival.
Taking place from November 15 to January 14, the festival – a celebration of arts, culture and nature with community engagement at its core – is organised by the Tourism Commission and curated by One Bite Design Studio, with support from Hong Kong Geopark.
A comment on mental health in Hong Kong with photo festival’s return
A comment on mental health in Hong Kong with photo festival’s return
Spread among four islands – Yim Tin Tsai, Sharp Island, Kau Sai Chau and High Island – this year’s festival is themed “Joy Again, Stories” and offers a packed programme of guided tours, workshops, performances and talks, and showcases 18 artworks.
Among the new art is Sails, an installation by Inkgo Lam Ka-yu, on Kau Sai Chau, while The Glazed Island, on Yim Tin Tsai, was created by Keith Chan, Stephen Ip and Arnold Wong.
Also on Yim Tin Tsai, visitors can see Margaret Chu’s Homeward Voyage, a fibreglass and metal sail-shaped sculpture that resembles doves in flight. It is one of the artworks retained from the 2022 festival.
Immersive experiences on Kau Sai Chau include a dyeing workshop (participants must bring old clothes) and fishing net weaving sessions, giving a taste of a fisherman’s life.
On High Island, villagers will demonstrate the Kirin, a traditional dance performed at ceremonies, while kayaking is among the activities on offer at Sharp Island.