About Yim Tin Tsai

Yim Tin Tsai, situated in the Inner Port Shelter of Sai Kung, is a historic Hakka village with a lineage extending nearly 300 years. Accessible via a 15-minute ferry journey from Sai Kung Town, the village was established by the Chan clan, a single-family community traditionally reliant on agriculture, fishing, and salt production for their livelihoods.

In 1864, Fr. Volonteri and Fr. Origo of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions visited Yim Tin Tsai to spread the Christian Gospel. By 1875, the entire village was baptised. The island also holds historical significance as the temporary home of St. Joseph Freinademetz during his time in Hong Kong in 1879, a figure later canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003.

Today, Yim Tin Tsai remains one of the few Hakka villages in Hong Kong distinguished by a strong Catholic heritage. The integration of Catholic traditions with Hakka culture is evident in the villagers’ customs and the architectural character of the island. Furthermore, Yim Tin Tsai is celebrated for its ecological diversity, encompassing habitats such as mangroves, salt pans, coastal areas that host an array of flora and fauna.

Societal advancements in Hong Kong led to urban migration, the village gradually saw its population diminish, with the last resident family leaving in 1998. In the early 2000s, however, efforts to restore and revitalise Yim Tin Tsai gained momentum through the support from church and dedication of overseas and local residents, descendants, volunteers as well as other community members. These efforts have acted to safeguard the village's cultural and ecological heritage. Notably, the restoration of St. Joseph’s Chapel and the Salt Pans earned the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2006 and 2015, respectively.