king yin lei visit

• Tokyo Cheapo (繁體中文)

Is This the Most Beautiful Historical Home in Hong Kong?

Along a meandering hillside road, a traditional Chinese gate appears amongst trees and bushes, offering a glimpse into one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful examples of historical architecture : King Yin Lei.

With red-brick walls and green-tile roofs, King Yin Lei poses a striking contrast to the monotonously modern tower blocks and luxurious European-style houses in the neighbourhood.

Declared a monument in 2010, the house remains idle most of the time. But it may get a second breath of life, soon.

Earlier this year, the Development Bureau told Hong Kong Cheapo that “King Yin Lei will be included in Batch VI of the Revitalisation Scheme which is tentatively scheduled for launching by the end of 2019.”

The Scheme encourages non-profit organisations to submit proposals to revitalise heritage sites. It’s the third time King Yin Lei is part of the scheme—no proposals had been accepted during the first two rounds.

But before we find out more about the future destiny of the mansion, there’s a way to tour the mansion.

For a few weekends every year, the gate to King Yin Lei opens to the public for free (for 2019 dates, see the Tickets sections below). In addition to its architectural style, it also has a storied past, involving two of the wealthiest families in town and one dramatic narrow escape from bulldozers in 2007.

King Yin Lei’s history

Built in 1937, King Yin Lei’s first owners were Li Po-lun and her husband Shum Yat-chor. Li was the daughter of Li Sing, the most successful tycoon in Hong Kong during his time. Shum was a respected businessman and philanthropist from Guangdong.

The two named the mansion Hei Lo. Hei means ‘happiness’ in Chinese while Lo means ‘humble abode’.

In 1978, Yeo Chei Man, AKA the king of pickled fruits (a traditional Chinese snack), bought the mansion and renamed it King Yin Lei after his ancestral home in mainland China.

In addition to its former famous occupants, King Yin Lei, or Hei Lo, is special for two reasons.

First, it was one of the first Chinese-owned homes in the Mid-Levels, an area mostly exclusive to the Europeans under British colonial rule.

Second, the mansion was designed during the peak of Chinese Renaissance Architecture movement. When the first generation of American-trained architects returned to China in the early 1900s, they wanted to revive traditional Chinese aesthetics in architecture with modern techniques.

The movement spread to Hong Kong in the 1930s. It was relatively less popular compared to other cities in China because of its political situation.

So it’s one of the few remaining examples of a Chinese Renaissance architecture in Hong Kong and is one of the finest in South China.

A narrow escape from bulldozers

Fast-forward to 2007, after failing to get a reply on the preservation of the site, the then-owner sold King Yin Lei to a Chinese businessman. In September, dump trucks appear on site and workers demolished parts of the roofs and walls, stirring opposition from The Conservancy Association of Hong Kong first, then the media and the public next.

The government then declared King Yin Lei as a proposed monument to stop the construction work on the site .

It was a few months later when the government and the owner reached an agreement. The government traded another plot of land nearby for King Yin Lei with the third owner.

A two-year challenging restoration works kicked off soon. The government graded it a declared monument in 2010 after the restoration.

What to see in King Yin Lei

Once you enter the 4,900 sq m property, you’ll see jaw-dropping views overlooking the Victoria Harbour.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that there are beautiful details and Chinese motifs wherever you look.

Floral-pattern terrazzo on balustrades. Beautiful marble mosaic floor in the round Chinese Dining Hall (inside the Main Building). Tainted glass. Glazed rooftop tiles and drippers with flora carving. Buddhist swastika sign patterns in the mosaic floors and window lattices.

Some of those design techniques had become obsolete before the restoration team painstakingly revitalised and recreated them.

King Yin Lei has three main buildings.

The Main Building, a traditional three-sided Chinese courtyard house layout: A three-storey central hall, two two-storey wings on the sides and an open area facing the south. It’s stocked with original vintage furniture, mostly European style.

The Subsidiary Building and the Annex Block host various exhibitions about King Yin Lei.

The complex also features a swimming pool, a pavilion, a pets’ area and a rear garden.

Volunteers will be stationed at the three main buildings during open days to give guided tours to visitors (in Cantonese). Exhibitions are in English and Chinese.

How to get tickets to King Yin Lei

King Yin Lei is usually open for six weekends, with four 90-minute sessions each day, each year. Free admission tickets (about 40,000 tickets in total) are given out in two rounds throughout the year, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visitors can get tickets from the information counters at Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware inside Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin.

The remaining open days for 2019 are November 16 and 17, and December 14 and 15.

You can visit the Development Bureau’s heritage conservation website’s What’s New section to find out about the latest details about the open days.

• The Blue House
• King Yin Lei Mansion
• Architecture
• Free things to do

All Dressed Up: Where to Rent Qipao and Cheongsam in Hong Kong

10 Free Things to Do in Central, All in One Day

There are lots of fun and free things to do in Central — just strap on your most comfortable shoes, and follow our step-by-step walking guide

How to Hike up and Down the Peak

Forgo the tram tickets, bypass the bus, and make your way up Hong Kong's most famous mountain on foot instead.

10 Cheap and Fun Things to Do in Causeway Bay

From the city’s only floating temple to where a scene of “Ghost In The Shell” was filmed, here are 10 cheap things to do in Causeway Bay.

Exploring the City: Hong Kong's Best Bus Tours

Here's our guide to the best bus tours of our beautiful city!

May Event Roundup – What’s On in Hong Kong

The city is far from cruising at pre-COVID speed, but as the loosening of restrictions continues, there are more places to go and things to do

Event Highlight: Jazz in Macao 2025

Don't miss it!

How To Get to Cheung Chau

How to get to one of HK's favorite island escapes.

Hong Kong's Best Dog-Friendly Cafés, Bars, and Restaurants

How to Get to Peng Chau

Escape the crowds and unwind on Peng Chau.

April Event Roundup – What’s On in Hong Kong

Hike Robin's Nest: Hong Kong's Newest Country Park

Hong Kong's newest country park.

Recommended hotels located nearby

Close without accepting

Built in 1937, King Yin Lei (景賢里), once known as Hei Lo (鿋廬), is a well kept historic structure situated in the Mid-Levels area of Hong Kong. This building underscores the wealth of local merchants and was designated a monument in 2008.

Merchants in Hong Kong had their ways to earn a fortune through trade with China or other regions. Li Sing was the most successful one among them back in 1860s. He dabbled in opium and coolie trade and later ventured into property investments. His legacy continued after his death in 1900. Li Po Chun, the eighth son of Li Sing, presented Hei Lo as a gift to his sister, Sham Li Po Lun. In 1978, the property was sold to Yeo Chei Man, a local merchant specializing in dried salted plums.

Embodying a "Chinese Renaissance" architectural style, King Yin Lei blends traditional Chinese palatial designs with Western materials like terrazzo and concrete. This fusion is reflected in the mansion's intricate facade. It adheres to the Lingnan tradition of a three-courtyard layout, featuring a main building and wings cloaked in water-struck red bricks. The interior is embellished with marble floor tiles, wooden flooring, and mosaic patterns.

The mansion boasts two banquet halls - one reflecting traditional Chinese decor with antique wooden furniture, and another showcasing a Western style. Ornamental details are prevalent throughout, from a bathroom lined with pink ceramic tiles to heart-shaped glass windows.

King Yin Lei stands not only as a testament to Hong Kong's architectural history but also as a vibrant embodiment of cultural fusion.   

• Car Rentals
• Airport Transfers
• Attractions & Tours
• Flight + Hotel
• Destinations
• Trip.com Rewards

King Yin Lei

The King Yinli, 45 Stubbs Road, Hong Kong, covers an area of about 4,910 square meters. The original name of King Yin Li was built in 1937 by the famous Yin Shangli and Li Baojun of the Guangdong New Association. Jingxianli is a well-preserved 1930s Lingnan mansion in South China. The main building plane follows the traditional three-housing layout of Lingnan, that is, the main house plus two wings, the door faces south, and the south is built to form the inner courtyard. Unlike traditional buildings, the two wings are slightly opened, so that the space of the inner courtyard can be expanded.

King Yin Lei Highlights: Must-See Features and Attractions

Explore near king yin lei: where to stay, eat, and visit, king yin lei reviews: insider insights and visitor experiences.

Jing Xianli (formerly known as the "Lingnan"), is an 85-year-old Lingnan mansion, one of the historical mansions scattered on the side of the Hong Kong Island. Located at 45 Situbal Road, East Midlands, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, combines Chinese and Western architectural characteristics and is the best preserved Lingnan mansion in South China in the 1930s. Since it is not a street name, it does not appear in the street name of the atlas. The building was funded by the rich Hong Kong businessmen in the early years, and Li Baoxuan, a member of the Wang family, was then given to his sister, Li Sheng's daughter, Li Baoxuan, and Li Baoxuan's husband, Mr. Sun Chu (1870-1963), formerly known as Qing Gan, a town person from Guangdong New Association. Father Yu, the family is not rich, but do all the good things for people, is the famous Yin Shang of Guangdong New Association.

Last week held a fashion festival here, Jingxianli, and the times go by!

Victoria Harbour is very nicely and creative,,they do what people like where to go...

Jing Xianli (formerly known as Jing Xianli), is an 84-year-old Lingnan mansion, one of the historical mansions scattered on the edge of Hong Kong Island. Located at 45 Situ Ba Road, East Midlands, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, United with Chinese and Western ...

You Might Also Like

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Palace Museum

The Peak Tram

Sky100 Observation Deck

Nearby attractions, popular types of attractions in hong kong, popular restaurants in hong kong, popular destinations, recommended attractions at popular destinations, popular ranked lists, trending travelogues, popular trip moments, popular travel types, more things to do in hong kong.

• Customer Support
• Service Guarantee
• More Service Info
• Website Feedback
• About Trip.com
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Statement
• About Trip.com Group

Other Services

• Investor Relations
• Affiliate Program
• List Your Property
• Become a Supplier

King Yin Lei

Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island

This stunning 17,000-sq-ft mansion (c 1937) owes its unique appearance to the Chinese Renaissance style associated with the 1920s when the Chinese government called for a revival of traditional culture, and architects in Shànghǎi set about merging eastern and western styles. King Yin Lei opens to the public for just a couple of weekends a year, in June and July, and you must reserve in advance. Check the website for opening days.

Designed by a British architect for a wealthy Chinese merchant's wife, the opulent King Yin Lei complex is not only a wonder to look at – its halls and rooms are gorgeous – it's also testimony to the rising social and financial status of the Chinese on Hong Kong Island before WWII. Parts of Soldier of Fortune (1955) starring Clark Gable were set here.

In 2007 King Yin Lei literally saw the bulldozers at its gates until outraged conservationists managed to pressure the government into declaring it a monument. Green minibus 26 departing from Lee Garden Rd in Causeway Bay stops there.

45 Stubbs Rd. Wan Chai

Get In Touch

852 2848 6230

https://​www​.heritage​.gov​.hk​/

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Po Lin Monastery & Big Buddha

17.52 MILES

Po Lin is a huge Buddhist monastery and temple complex that was built in 1924. Today it seems more of a tourist honeypot than a religious retreat,…

This cable-hauled funicular railway has been scaling the 396m ascent to the highest point on Hong Kong Island since 1888. A ride on this clanking tram is…

Victoria Peak

Standing at 552m, Victoria Peak is the highest point on Hong Kong Island. It is also one of the most visited spots by tourists, and it’s not hard to see…

Man Mo Temple

One of Hong Kong’s oldest temples and a declared monument, atmospheric Man Mo Temple is dedicated to the gods of literature (‘Man’), holding a writing…

High Island Reservoir East Dam

14.03 MILES

Handsome architecture, the South China Sea, and 140-million-year-old volcanic rocks make this one of Hong Kong's most breathtaking places. High Island…

Hong Kong Museum of History

Prepare to be whisked through millennia of Hong Kong history at this extraordinary museum, starting with prehistory (don't linger, the best is yet to come…

18.54 MILES

Part of Hong Kong Global Geopark, 400-year-old Lai Chi Wo is Hong Kong's best-preserved Hakka walled village and has an intact woodland. With 200 houses,…

Temple Street Night Market

When night falls and neon buzzes, Hong Kong's liveliest market rattles into life. Covering multiple city blocks from Man Ming Lane in the north to Nanking…

Nearby Wan Chai & Northeast Hong Kong Island attractions

1 . F11 Photographic Museum

Photography exhibitions are held three or four times a year inside this 1930s art-deco residence restored and opened as a museum by a former Hong Kong…

2 . Hong Kong Cemetery

Crowded and cosmopolitan, dead Hong Kong is no different from the breathing city. Tombstones jostle for space at this Christian cemetery (c 1845) located…

3 . Lovers' Rock

Lovers' Rock or Destiny’s Rock (Yan Yuen Sek) is a phallus-shaped boulder on a bluff at the end of a track above Bowen Rd. Adorned with incense and…

4 . Hong Kong Racing Museum

Hong Kong Racing Museum showcases the celebrated trainers, jockeys and horses that have thrilled the crowds at Happy Valley over the years. The British…

5 . Pak Tai Temple

A short stroll up Stone Nullah Lane takes you to a majestic Taoist temple built in 1863 to honour a god of the sea, Pak Tai. The temple, the largest on…

6 . Blue House Cluster

A rare heritage protection success story, the 1920s Blue House is one of Hong Kong's last surviving wooden tenement buildings. The graceful, four-storey…

7 . F22 Foto Space

One for shutterbugs, this ambitious exhibition space over two floors of a commercial building is a shrine to the golden age of film photography and its…

8 . Race Course Fire Memorial

In 1918, a few bamboo sheds for Chinese spectators collapsed and caught fire at the Happy Valley Racecourse, killing 570. The government buried their…

King Yin Lei

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

KING YIN LEI: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of Hong Kong for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy Hong Kong without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Shopping & Style
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Restaurants
• Music & Nightlife
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

King Yin Lei

• Attractions

Time Out says

This grand mansion is one of the finest examples of traditional Chinese architecture that's still left in the city

This palatial Mid-Levels mansion may be fit for a king (or indeed an emperor), but it’s sat empty for 10 years while the government figures out what to do with it. Completed in 1937 for entrepreneur Li Po-lun and her family, the stunning three-storey home wears its Chinese heritage loud and proud with its temple-like roof clad in viridian bamboo-shaped tiles, windows in the shape of circular longevity symbols, and granite balustrades.

Image: So Ka-Fai /  CC BY-SA 3.0

An email you’ll actually love

Discover Time Out original video

An email you'll actually love

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Sign up to our newsletter
• Advertising
• Express Advertising
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

Time Out magazine

• Print edition
• Digital edition

King Yin Lei – Fascinating Mixture of Traditional Chinese And European Renaissance Architectural Styles

Name (English): King Yin Lei Name (Chinese): 景賢里 Category: Historical Site Phone Number: +852 22084400 Address (English): 45 Stubbs Road, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong Island Address (Chinese): 半山司徒拔道45號景賢里 Address Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/Ku8hcC8sR4rBgpqD8 Address longitude and latitude: 22.266857530716976, 114.18095378312151 Nearest MTR Station: Wan Chai Station B1 Nearest MTR Station Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/rkW6UvPQ4n8BJUKw7 Nearest MTR Station longitude and latitude: 22.277763646462546, 114.17315627300077 How far from the nearest MTR Station: 15 mins drive from taking bus no.15 Opening Hours : MON: 00:00 – 23:59 TUE: 00:00 – 23:59 WED: 00:00 – 23:59 THU: 00:00 – 23:59 FRI: 00:00 – 23:59 SAT: 00:00 – 23:59 SUN:00:00 – 23:59 Budget (per person): Free of charge Recommended Time to Visit: Anytime Accessibility Note: Easy access Reminder: After getting off MTR, walk 5 minutes to Queen’s Road to take bus route 15, then walk 5 minutes after getting off route 15 at Bradbury school Stubbs Road.

Constructed in 1937 by Shum Ya Chor and his wife Shum Li Po Lun, wealthy merchants and philanthropists hailing from Xinhui of Guangdong province, the building is one of the most well kept historic architectures in the city that is a declared monument and only has twelve days a year that is open to the public.

The building has a fascinating mixture of traditional Chinese and European Renaissance architectural styles, more often seen in wealthy mansions in the city. It mainly follows the tradition of the three-side layout of a courtyard house mostly found in Southern China, consisting of a central hall and two wings with an open ground facing south.

The three-storey house has verandahs overlooking the courtyard, and though the exterior is a red-bricked, green-tiled traditional house, the interior is Western-inspired, with gold floral gildings and delicate stained glass windows. The corridor floor is decorated with green, white and red mosaic patterns, depicting geometrical flowers and Buddhist swastikas, reflecting the religion of its owners.

King Yin Lei has two banquet halls, one in the traditional Chinese style, with antique wooden furniture and one outfitted in a Western style, with flamboyant, reflecting the variety of visitors its owners had. Ornamental details are found in every corner of the house, from a bathroom that is covered in pink ceramic tiles, to heart-shaped glass windows.

King Yin Lei open days are usually spread out on weekends from June to December with a free but ticketed system, so make sure to check its website for bookings beforehand.

#kingyinglei #hkdeclaredmonument #hkhistoricbuilding #declaredmonument #hkhistoricalbuilding #architecture #hongkongarchitecture #historicbuilding #historicarhitecture #midlevels #hongkongisland

Things You Should Know About Hong Kong Style Barbeque

Citygate outlets - biggest outlet mall of hong kong.

King Yin Lei

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

King Yin Lei - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Latest posts
• Performing Art
• Photography
• Big Stories
• Small Stories & Secret Stories
• Usual Suspects & Landmarks
• Architecture
• Interior Design
• Product Design
• A Little Break
• Inspring Itineraries
• Subscribe To Newsletter

Take a Peek Inside King Yin Lei, Hong Kong’s Chinese Renaissance Landmark

High above Wan Chai, surrounded by tower blocks and gaudy townhouses, one of Hong Kong’s most remarkable mansions sits empty and idle.

Built in 1937, King Yin Lei is one of Hong Kong’s best examples of Chinese Renaissance architecture. It’s a sprawling palace built by a Chinese woman entrepreneur at a time when both women and Chinese people were not welcome in the upper echelons of colonial Hong Kong society. “It’s probably one of the finest of its kind, as a piece of architecture that combines the Chinese tradition with the Western tradition,” says Lee Ho-yin, director of the University of Hong Kong’s architectural conservation programme.

And yet, ever since King Yin Lei was saved from demolition in 2007, it has remained a mystery to the public – except for a few precious days a year when its green metal gates are thrown open to visitors. That was the case last weekend, when 16,000 free tickets were handed out to anyone eager to explore a rare piece of Hong Kong history.

The Chinese Renaissance style was born with the Republic of China. A sense of cultural renewal swept through the country after the 1911 revolution, and this was translated into architecture  that adopted typically Chinese forms and motifs – though in a less ostentatious way that suited modern tastes. King Yin Lei is an example of this. Its roof sweeps upwards, evoking a temple or a palace, and its ceramic roof tiles are shaped like bamboo. A traditional Chinese gate leads to the property, which extends across a 4,910 square metre plot on the edge of a cliff. Anyone travelling to the Peak from Wan Chai or Causeway Bay would have passed it.

(There’s no information on why the owners chose to name the property Hei Lo and King Yin Lei, but it’s likely they chose these names simply because they sounded nice. The former could be translated as Happy Hut or Happy Cottage, while the latter means, roughly, Esteemed View Court.)

Public outcry was swift. In response, the government declared the mansion a proposed monument, which put a halt to the demolition workers. It was made an official historic monument in the summer of 2008, protecting it against any future damage or demolition. After negotiating a land swap with the property owner, the government took control of the site and began restoring it as well as it could.

“Because it has been declared a monument, there is very little you can do in terms of use,” says Lee. Unlike buildings with lower heritage grades, “a monument has to stay exactly the way it is. It has become almost impossible to adapt King Yin Lei to another use.”

Lee thinks that’s a shame. “The purpose of a building is to be used, but right now, King Yin Lei is treated like an art object and restored like an artefact,” he says. One solution could be to use it as the official residence of a senior government official, or rented out to a foreign consulate for the use of their consul-general. But that could trigger another public outcry about making a fascinating piece of Hong Kong heritage off limits to the public.

Back outside, thick moss grows on hillside retaining walls and muddy rainwater collects in the empty swimming pool. When the last visitor leaves and the gate is sealed shut, King Yin Lei returns to darkness, waiting for the next chapter of its life.

King Yin Lei monument to open

King Yin Lei will open on September 15 and 16, October 20 and 21 and December 15 and 16, allowing the public to visit the declared monument and learn about its architectural features and history.

A total of 21,600 tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on September 1 and 2 at the Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park, the Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park, and the Heritage Museum in Sha Tin.

Each open day will have four sessions: 9.30am to 11am, 11am to 12.30pm, 2pm to 3.30pm, and 3.30pm to 5pm.

Admission is free.

Click  here for details.

King Yin Lei

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

King Yin Lei - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

King Yin Lei

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

KING YIN LEI: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Additional King Yin Lei public open days in November

To allow more people to visit the declared monument King Yin Lei to appreciate and learn about its architectural features and history, two additional public open days will be held in November for free.

The additional public open days will be held on November 17 and 18. Each open day will have four visit sessions:

* From 9.30am to 11am; * From 11am to 12.30pm; * From 2pm to 3.30pm; and * From 3.30pm to 5pm.

In addition to an on-site guided tour service, antique furniture provided by the former owner of King Yin Lei will be on display along with information panels and artefacts, and there will be screenings of a documentary about King Yin Lei.

Admission tickets for these two additional public open days in November will be distributed at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre (HKHDC), Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon from 10am to 6pm on October 27 and 28 (Saturday and Sunday). Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and each person can obtain a maximum of four tickets for one of the sessions.

Remaining tickets for the November open days will be distributed at the HKHDC from October 29. Limited tickets for the public open days on October 20 and 21, and December 15 and 16 are still available at the HKHDC. The HKHDC is open from Mondays to Fridays (except Thursdays) from 10am to 6pm, and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 7pm (Enquiry hotline: 2208 4400).

King Yin Lei is located at 45 Stubbs Road, Hong Kong. Visitors are advised to use public transport to access the venue as no parking facilities are available.

* New World First Bus route No. 15 (Central - The Peak) * New World First Bus route No. 15B (Wan Chai (HKCEC Extension) - The Peak) (only operates on Sundays and public holidays) * Green minibus route No. 26 (Lee Garden Road, Causeway Bay - King Yin Lei)

For details about King Yin Lei open days, please visit the heritage conservation website of the Development Bureau ( https://www.heritage.gov.hk/en/whatsnew/events_54.htm ), call 2848 6230 or email to [email protected] .

Ends/Monday, October 15, 2018 Issued at HKT 11:00

     Following more than two years of intense on-site and off-site work supervised by Professor Tang Guohua, conservation expert from Guangzhou University's College of Architecture and Urban Planning, the restoration of King Yin Lei, a declared monument, has been completed and members of the public can, for the first time, enter the mansion to appreciate its architectural beauty.      The Commissioner for Heritage's Office of the Development Bureau will organise 10 open days at King Yin Lei falling on weekends from April 2 to 17 and the Easter holidays (April 22 to 25) for the public to visit the building.      A spokesman for the Development Bureau today (March 23) said that following the completion of restoration works, the next challenge is to find a suitable use for King Yin Lei that will meet the objectives of sustainable heritage conservation and public accessibility.      "We will include King Yin Lei in the third batch of historic buildings under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalisation Scheme) to identify the most suitable use for the building under the management of a non-profit-making organisation.  Details of the third batch of the revitalisation scheme will be announced in June.      "We hope that the open days will help stimulate public views and suggestions on the adaptive re-use of the monument. An opinion card will be distributed during the open days for visitors to let us know their views," the spokesman said.      Admission tickets for visiting King Yin Lei can be collected through the following three channels: (a) Through online registration at the heritage conservation website of the Development Bureau (www.heritage.gov.hk) from 8am tomorrow (March 24); (b) Complete the registration form available at the heritage conservation website from 8am tomorrow (March 24).  Registration forms should be returned to the Commissioner for Heritage's Office via fax at 3167 2699; or (c) Admission tickets will also be distributed at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre (HDC) at Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, from March 26 (Saturday) during opening hours. HDC is open from Mondays to Saturdays (except Thursdays) from 10am to 6pm and on Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 7pm. Please visit the Antiquities and Monuments Office's website (www.amo.gov.hk) to learn more about the HDC.      Each open day will have a morning session from 10am to 12.30pm and an afternoon session from 2pm to 4.30pm. Each person can obtain a maximum of four tickets in any one session on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of 20,000 tickets will be distributed to the public.      There are no parking facilities at King Yin Lei.  Members of the public are encouraged to use public transport to access the venue.      For enquiries about the open days, please call the Commissioner for Heritage's Office of the Development Bureau at 2848 6213 or 2848 6214.      Originally named "Hei Lo", King Yin Lei was built in 1937 by Mrs Shum Li Po-lun and Mr Shum Yat-chor, a merchant and philanthropist from Guangdong Province.  The building combines Chinese and Western architectural influences in a sophisticated manner, demonstrating the superb building technology and craftsmanship available in Hong Kong's pre-war period.      In September 2007, works to remove the roof tiles, stone features and window frames were noticed at King Yin Lei, arousing a public outcry and calls for its preservation. The Government took decisive action by declaring the building a proposed monument and reached an agreement with the owner swiftly for a non-in-situ land exchange, marking a precedent in Hong Kong's protection of privately owned historic buildings under the new heritage conservation policy adopted in 2007. As part of the agreement, the owner consented to fund King Yin Lei's restoration costs.      King Yin Lei was declared a monument in July 2008 and put under permanent statutory protection. Through the assistance of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, Professor Tang Guohua was commissioned to draw up a restoration proposal. Restoration work commenced in September 2008 and was substantially completed by December 2010.

Ends/Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Issued at HKT 15:09 NNNN

The Commissioner for Heritage's Office of Development Bureau (DEVB) has arranged 25 open days at King Yin Lei on the weekends and the holidays of Easter and Labour Day from 2 April to 8 May 2011, on the three weekends from 3 to 18 December 2011 (Heritage Fiesta December 2011) and on the two weekends from 6 to 14 October 2012, for the public to appreciate the architectural features, heritage value and restoration process of this declared monument. About 42,300 visitors have joined these open days. DEVB is much encouraged by the overwhelming response to the open days, which illustrates the public's appreciation and support of Government's heritage conservation work. Information on these open days is available at the following links:

• Open Day Pamphlet
• Documentary "Restoring King Yin Lei"
• Display Materials
• Summary of Public Views collected during the Open Days in April/May 2011

Apart from the above, further open days have also been held in April, June, July, August, October, November and December of 2013. There were totally 24,283 visitors participated in 14 days of the open days.

For checking the announcements of future open days, please visit our website at the following link

• Events and Promotions