The Jao Tsung-I Academy is a hillside compound of heritage buildings along Castle Peak Road in Lai Chi Kok that were revitalised by the HK Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture (HKIPCC) and named after the late prominent scholar Jao Tsung-I.
The academy was opened to the public in phases between 2012-14 and now features three hillside levels of Grade 3 protected historic buildings that function as a museum with exhibition galleries, activity centre, restaurant, coffee shop and even a hotel. The outdoor grounds are open from 8am to 10pm daily, exhibition halls are open from 10am to 6pm daily. No entry fee required.
The lower level is where you find the Main Gallery which is a testimony to the life and scholarly works of Jao Tsung-I. There is also a Heritage Hall where you can learn about the history of the area and buildings which date back to the late 19th century when a Qing Dynasty Customs house was located here. Later buildings, including those you see today, served as a labourers' quarters, prison, quarantine station, infectious disease hospital and lastly a psychiatric rehab centre which was eventually closed in 2004. There is a statue of Jao Tsung-I and a small but beautiful lotus pond here.
The second level is where you find a series of buildings including another exhibition hall, presently presenting information about Chinese language characters, activity rooms, Hope of Joy restaurant and Coffeeflow. Continuing to the third level, you will find the Heritage Lodge. There are public toilets on each level as well as a series of lifts for those unable to walk up the stairs between levels and guests of the hotel with luggage.