Jao Tsung-I Academy

Did the walls of Jao Tsung-I Academy whisper secrets? I wondered, as we stood before its serene facade. Jao Tsung-I Academy is more than just a beautiful building. It’s a living testament to Hong Kong’s rich and layered past. The Academy, nestled on a leafy hillside in Lai Chi Kok, seems an oasis of tranquility. Yet, its history is anything but peaceful. Jao Tsung-I Academy started its life as a humble customs station during the Qing dynasty. Can you imagine the bustling activity, the officials inspecting goods, the ships coming and going from the nearby shore? Later, the site transformed into laborers’ quarters, providing shelter for those building the foundations of modern Hong Kong. Then, as if mirroring the city’s own evolving identity, the compound became a quarantine station, a prison, a hospital for infectious diseases, and finally, a psychiatric rehabilitation center. Each phase reflects a different chapter in Hong Kong’s story, a testament to its resilience and adaptability. The Academy is named after Professor Jao Tsung-I, a renowned scholar of Chinese culture. His legacy lives on within these walls, through the permanent exhibition of his captivating artwork and the vibrant cultural programs that the Academy hosts. The Hong Kong Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture, or HKIPCC, plays a vital role in keeping this cultural beacon shining brightly. Established in 1985, HKIPCC is a champion of Chinese culture. They breathed new life into this historic site, transforming it from a place of confinement and healing into a place of learning and celebration. Today, Jao Tsung-I Academy thrives as a hub of cultural exchange. It offers thematic exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs. It is a place where history and heritage intertwine, where the whispers of the past echo in the laughter and learning of the present. As you explore its halls and gardens, remember the many lives this remarkable building has lived. Let the tranquility of the present moment wash over you, even as you reflect on the echoes of its complex and fascinating past.