Uniquely HK

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Revitalisation Experience: A Walk into Hong Kong old times

Take a stroll in the streets of Hong Kong and we can find history left many its footprints: from historical sites to old buildings in all sorts of styles reflecting the old times, as if each has a story to tell. The legacy of these sites are well kept through “Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme” imposed by Hong Kong Government to enhance the awareness about the importance of historic heritages through conserving and redeveloping historic buildings into good use. We are taking a little tour to unveil the stories behind some of these historical sites.

1. Mei Ho House

Mei Ho House was one of Shek Kip Mei Estate’s residential estates that was built in the 1950s after a devastating fire left more than 50,000 residents homeless. Today Mei Ho House has transformed to a youth hostel providing vivid history of the working class during the 1950s to 1970s, but we can still find the remains of the old times when resources were scarce.

2. Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre (JCCAC)

It's a 5-minute walk from Mei Ho House and we found what formerly a Shek Kip Mei Factory Building that transforms into JCCAC, a community for working artists gathered together to showcase the vitality and creativeness of art in Hong Kong. The structure of the building remains intact with every corner and flat are now added with artistic vibes thanks to the help of various artists and musicians. We were happy to spend a little time creating art pieces at one of the artist's studio.

3. Jao Tsung-I Academy

Located on a hillside at Lai Chi Kok, Jao Tsung-I Academy was formerly a hospital compound. The site was used as a seaside customs station at the end of the 19^th century. In the many years followed, the site has been served as a quarantine station, a prison, an infectious disease hospital and a psychiatric rehabitation center before it was closed in 2004 and left vacant until Professor Jao Tsung-I, a world-renowned scholar on sinology, selected the site for revitalization. Today the Academy serves as a cultural hub to facilitate cultural exchanges and contribute to the society in need.

At the High Zone, Heritage Lodge is part of the Jao Tsung-I Academy revitalization project to promote Chinese culture and cultural exchanges. The location is perfect for finding some tranquility and peace in the middle of the bustling city. The interior is sleek and simplistic reflecting the traditional Chinese philosophy of harmony. It’s a wonderful place to take a fresh breeze and relax with budget rates and well-rounded service.

Jao Tsung-I Academy has other facilities to provide a well-rounded cultural experience such as lecture and exhitibition hall, and theatre, etc. For dining, Gingko House provides more than a typical restaurant but opportunities to promote capable elderly employment. The restaurant offers both Western and Chinese menus with heart-warming service for a reasonable price.

The two red brick houses in the Low Zone are The Gallery and the Heritage Hall displaying the history of revitalizing the site and the legacy of Professor Jao Tsung-I. A pond of lotus flowers sprouts between the red-brick houses; entitled The Pond “Light and Shadow”, the pond clearly mirrors the blue sky and the serenity of the surroundings.

4. Lui Seng Chun

Lui Seng Chun is an old tong lau (Chinese shophouse) originally owned by the family of Mr. Lui Leung. The four-storey building was designed and built by architect W.H. Bourne in 1930, the ground floor was used as shops and the upper floors were for residential use. It was once occupied by the Japanese during the Second World War and it became vacant in the 1970s after the Lui family moved out. In year 2000, the building was classified as a Grade I historic building and the Lui family donated the premise to the government for revitalization and was converted into a Chinese medicine healthcare centre in 2012. The façade and interior has retained most of the original architectural features.

Special thanks to: Lotus Tours

Revitalization Experience

Department Time: 9;30 a.m. every Thursday, except public holidays

Duration: Approx. 6 hours

Language: English, Putonghua and Cantonese

Group Size: minimum 6 people, HK$680 each for all ages.

Info.mk@lotusint.com.hk

+852 2316 1196