Leung Ancestral Hall at Yuen Kong Tsuen, Pat Heung, will be declared an historical building under the Antiquities & Monuments Ordinance from January 12.

It was built by the Leung clan 200 years ago and is a typical Qing vernacular building with a courtyard and side chambers. The right chamber houses a kitchen, which was once used for making meals during festive events.

Ancestral antiquity: The front elevation, the ancestral altar and the interior of the Leung Ancestral Hall in Pat Heung.

The building is characterised by its solemn granite facade with traditional Chinese murals.

The stone lintel above the main entrance is engraved with the ancestral hall's name. The roof ridges are decorated with plastered motifs of auspicious animals and patterns of dragon fish, peony, plums and lotus, and its walls are adorned with delicate leaf-patterned mouldings.

The wooden altar housing the ancestral tablets is in the main bay of the rear hall. The altar is rich with colour and carved with a mixture of plants such as plums, bamboo, peony, peach and lotus, which represent different seasons to signify the flourishing growth of descendants.

With the completion of full restoration this year, the hall reflects its original splendor. Social functions such as ancestral worship are held there.

To help people learn about local history and cultural heritage, the Antiquities & Monuments Office is arranging to open the hall for public viewing. Details will be announced later.