Report - Yu Yuen villa, Tung Tau Wai, Hong Kong, August 2017

HughieD · Sep 3, 2017

1. The History
Yu Yuen villa is located in Tung Tau Wai, between the Tin Shui Wai and Long Ping stations on Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR). It was built by leader of the Tsoi clan, Tsoi Po-tin (1872-1944, in 1927 as a summer villa. He was a prominent figure in Hong Kong and wished to build a summer villa in his birthplace (Tung Tau Wai) so that his family could enjoy the ripe litchi fruit provided by the area all summer long. Tsoi was a leader of the charity “Po Leung Kuk” and was behind many well-known projects in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, including the Oi Kwan building, the first high-rise in Guangzhou. The house became a local attraction and was opened to the public in 1950. In 1984 the house featured in the locally-produced Hong Kong movie “1941” (click HERE for info). Set in war-time Hong Kong during the occupation by the Japanese, it stared a pre-global fame Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) along with Alex Man and Cecilia Yip.

The villa continued to be the private residence of the Tsoi family up until 1990. A partnership, including New Territories leader Lau Wong-fat, then bought the villa in 1991. A plan by the consortium to build village houses on the site was blocked in 2002 when the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) declared Yu Yuen a Grade I Listed historic site, due to it being “a rare example of Western classical architecture in a rural village setting”. In something of a reverse, in May 2010, instead of ordering the owners to repair and restore the building, the AMO downgraded the villa to a Grade II listing because of its poor condition, meaning it requires only 'selective preservation' and much greater modification is allowed.

Its beautiful woodland no longer exists and the fountain is all that remains of the former garden at front of the house, which has become a car park. Banyan trees now grow on the side of the building and dead branches are tied in bundles, filling the drawing room. Some people even say it is haunted and is a ‘ghost house’.

2. The Explore
As soon as I saw this place pop-up on the HK Urbex page I knew I had to visit. I quickly found the location and set off one very sunny day. A forty-minute MTR ride and a 20-minute walk and I was there. The villa was just sitting there and I walked in via the front door. This was one of three villa houses I explored on my trip and it was probably my favourite. The place is absolutely magnificent and despite having seen much better days, the roof is intact and the floors solid. I spent the best part of an hour looking round this enchanting place. All I hope is that it eventually gets saved. Sadly, though, the land prices in HK mean that places like this are left to rot and fall down, despite their listed status.

3. The Pictures

Aha!