Jao Tsung I Academy

Jao’s Lotus Pond under Red Bricks

Jao Tsung-I Academy located at 800 Castle Peak Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was formerly Lai Chi Kok Hospital, and now is a Grade III historic building in Hong Kong. This place covered with red brick walls contains more than 100 years of history and cultural master Jao Tsung-i’s works. They are as beautiful as the lotus flowers in the Thangka, which are all waiting for your visit. Hesitate no more and come to Jao Tsung-I Academy for a historical and cultural tour!

Non-stop Duties: The Witness to Changing Times

The original site of Jao Tsung-I Academy has experienced many changes over the years, with various responsibilities such as gatekeeping and providing medical treatment. As far as 1887, the Customs established a Kowloon branch. The “Kowloon Customs Boundary Stone” still stands on the hillside east of the Academy.

In 1904, the British built dwellings for Chinese labourers here, commonly known as the “Pig House” (“Coolie Quarters”). The “Pig House” trafficked a large number of Chinese labourers to South Africa as miners. Later, because the British government banned the recruitment of Chinese workers, the dwellings were abandoned in 1906.

In 1910, the dwellings were converted into a quarantine station for epidemic control. Until the 1920s, it was transformed into Lai Chi Kok Prison.

In 1931, Lai Chi Kok Prison was expanded with middle and upper zones to include female prison blocks.

In 1938, Lai Chi Kok Prison was built as the “Lai Chi Kok Infectious Disease Hospital” to treat Leprosy patients.

In 1948, it was renamed “Lai Chi Kok Hospital”. Later, it served as an isolation facility for smallpox, diphtheria, cholera and other epidemics. It was then transformed into a psychiatric hospital (“Lai Chi Kok Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre”). In 2000, the Hospital Authority established a long stay care home called “Lai Hong Home”. In 2004, Lai Hong Home was closed, and the former site of Lai Chi Kok Hospital was finally handed over to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. At last, the site was conserved and transformed into Jao Tsung-I Academy and Heritage Lodge.

Cultural Conservation: The Inheritance Mission

The Lai Chi Kok Hospital is one of the first revitalisation projects of the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office of the Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Government under the “Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme”. It was replanned and revitalised in 2009.

The revitalized Jao Tsung-I Academy includes historical attractions such as Art Gallery, The Heritage Hall, The Pond “Light and Shadow”, Souvenir Corner, old pavilion, ancient stone wall, and cultural attractions such as Chinese Painting Stairs. After the rehabilitation scheme, the Jao Tsung-I Academy operates the hostel and restaurant to support its daily operation. The Jao Tsung-I Academy has since been a strong supporter of Chinese and indigenous cultural activities.