On 14 June 2022, Tianda Institute, together with Tianda’s two other charitable entities, namely, International Pu’er Tea Association and Chinese Medicine (Global) Promotion Association, was announced to be the successful bidder to revitalize King Yin Lei under Batch VI of the Revitalizing Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalization Scheme). This was after the Government had failed twice in finding a suitable partner in the past decade to revitalize this important monument of Hong Kong. Tianda Institute’s proposal to turn King Yin Lei into a healthy living centre based on Pu’er tea and traditional Chinese medicine, not only aims to preserve the historical value of its East-and-West architectural features, will also make it a popular “selfie spot” in promoting Chinese arts and culture.
At the press conference announcing the results of the Revitalisation Scheme, Mr. Fang Wenquan, Founder and Chairman of Tianda Institute and the two other charitable organisations of Tianda said, “We aim to conserve and revitalize King Yin Lei, a declared monument, into a healthy living icon and learning center based on Pu’er tea and traditional Chinese medicine for local people and tourists, hoping it will inspire an appreciation of traditional Chinese culture and foster healthy lifestyles. The revitalized King Yin Lei will enhance Hong Kong’s position as a centre of cultural exchange between the East and the West, which is one of future directions of Hong Kong’development.”
Mr Fang added, “Pu’er tea and traditional Chinese medicine are treasures of the Chinese culture, both of which will be featured prominently in King Yin Lei. Upon visiting this healthy learning centre, people can refresh their minds by enjoying natural tea and nurture their bodies through traditional Chinese medicine, thus helping to promote public health and reduce pressure on medical resources. This project, enriched with a variety of display and experimental activities, is expected to attract the younger generation and deepen their understanding of traditional Chinese culture.”
According to the Government, 18 proposals have been received for bidding the King Yin Lei revitalization partnership. For the winning proposal from Tianda Institute, the government will earmark about HK$ 188 million for completing the project by 2027.
After revitalization, King Yin Lei will enable the general public to understand more about Pu’er tea and medicinal herbs. The unique architecture of the historical building and its furnishing to illustrate the evolution of lifestyles of the upper circle of the Chinese community during the fifty years from the 1930s to the 1980s in Hong Kong are good evidence of how work-life balance and healthy diets have been the essence of healthy living in traditional Chinese homelife. Through deeper understanding of Chinese lifestyle and appreciation of Chinee customs, arts and culture, there will be greater exchange with the international community, in particular those in the Belt and Road countries, helping Hong Kong become a centre of cultural exchange between the East and the West.
According to Project Leader Professor Pauline Man-wah Ng, the revitalized King Yin Lei will be open to schools, charitable groups and the general public in the morning for free guided tours and tea tasting experiences; while afternoon tea and private dinners as well as a whole range of mindfulness activities, interest classes, tea- serving classes, health seminars, mini concerts, etc. are offered to the public in the afternoon and evening. All activities are subject to advance booking. A shuttle bus service will also be operated to facilitate the public to visit King Yin Lei. Professor Ng is the Director of the Hong Kong Policy Research Centre of Tianda Institute.
