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

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HughieD

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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!

36998261095_f710a147e6_b.jpgimg1821 by HughieDW, on Flickr

The Golden Fountain:

36601099510_7864a6962e_b.jpgimg1818 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36162747474_6a698b198f_b.jpgimg1807 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Door detail:

36601151590_fc31da7e6e_b.jpgimg1816 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36858015921_c191c72b52_b.jpgimg1813 by HughieDW, on Flickr

What a frontage:

36227282372_5b788c4eb4_b.jpgimg1820 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36601329460_b5f0f4bbea_b.jpgimg1812 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Ground floor:

36856323901_f3931f5b22_b.jpgimg1766 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36809042976_54d3e4718c_b.jpgimg1759 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36599804770_5302036985_b.jpgimg1753 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Front room just used for storage:

36161295144_f23c7b285d_b.jpgimg1747 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Kitchen:

36996973735_0ddf5f55d5_b.jpgimg1757 by HughieDW, on Flickr


First floor gallery:

36856266251_5aed9a9f81_b.jpgimg1772 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Storage on the 1st floor:

36998665085_33b3e9837d_b.jpgimg1801 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36826053272_83b06ea113_b.jpgimg1778 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Safe room:

36825156582_e13815aa4d_b.jpgimg1770 by HughieDW, on Flickr

First floor room:

36161725084_4ee6c306ba_b.jpgimg1774 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Most likely a bedroom:

36808723446_6378d5f2c7_b.jpgimg1764 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Drawing room?

36808958756_6595a18a28_b.jpgimg1761 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Bathroom:

36599687340_53e7d8907f_b.jpgimg1760 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Random flask moment:

36857198411_e272962deb_b.jpgimg1773 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Complete hat-stand:

36827153622_01b2f17455_b.jpgimg1803 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Out on to the balcony:

36189327593_4476f45feb_b.jpgimg1798 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36810883886_1e632c3558_b.jpgimg1799 by HughieDW, on Flickr

First floor from the second floor:

36162152784_35636e5952_b.jpgimg1784 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Some bizarre recent graff:

36856963041_b726278ebe_b.jpgimg1782 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Onto the roof we go…

36187824243_6007d88e6b_b.jpgimg1785 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36161945234_c5e6f88d8e_b.jpgimg1793 by HughieDW, on Flickr

36600696580_3ea8e005ca_b.jpgimg1788 by HughieDW, on Flickr

Yes, believe it or not this IS the roof:

36600679720_b1df7ef028_b.jpgimg1790 by HughieDW, on Flickr
 
Now that's interesting. After a disappointment with the television studios this one looks like a success. Must have looked really nice during the 1940s.
 

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