While Hong Kong is renowned for its collection of towering skyscrapers, it’s also home to historic monuments that offer a glimpse into the city’s bygone era. If you’ve ever gone hiking on the Bowen Road Fitness Trail up in the Mid-Levels, you’ve probably seen King Yin Lei looming in the distance. Dating back to 1937, this majestic pre-war mansion features Chinese and Western architectural elements and was originally built for the spouse of Shum Yat-chor, a notable merchant and philanthropist based in Xinhui, Guangdong.
Over the years, the mansion changed ownership several times before being sold in 2007. After a two-year renovation to restore the building, King Yin Lei was declared a monument by the Antiquities and Monument Office in 2008. Additionally, the historic residence served as a filming location for the 1982 TV series Soldier of Fortune and for the opening sequence of the 1980 drama series Yesterday’s Glitter.
Although the pre-war mansion has been closed for quite some time and is available for public tours on rare occasions, visitors can now sign up for guided tours every Saturday and Sunday until January 4. Each tour lasts one hour and allows 30 visitors per session. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis; visit Conserve and Revitalise Hong Kong Heritage’s website for more details.
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