ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Walled villages of Hong Kong

Imagine you live in a big neighborhood with lots of houses and streets. Now, imagine that someone built a really tall wall around your neighborhood, so that you can only get in and out through one or two gates. This is what a walled village in Hong Kong used to be like.

Long ago, there were groups of people that lived in villages outside of Hong Kong city. Some of these villages were built with walls around them to protect the people from invaders and bandits. The walls were often made of stone, bricks or even dirt, and they had towers where people could stand guard and watch for any danger.

Inside the walled villages, people lived together in big families or clans. They usually had their own traditions, customs, and laws, and they took care of their own business without depending on the outside world. They even had their own schools, temples, and community centers.

Because the walled villages were so isolated, they developed their own unique cultures and traditions. For example, some walled villages specialized in making a certain kind of food, music or handicraft, and they became famous for it.

Today, many of the walled villages in Hong Kong have been torn down or rebuilt, and only a few remain as historical sites or tourist attractions. However, they still hold a special place in the hearts of people who remember the old days, and they remind us of the rich history and diversity of Hong Kong.