I believe this was Green Jade (Chinese name: 青碧 -- Tsing Bik), the villa of the late Dr. LI Shu-fan, member of the Legislative Council and long-time head of the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital. In his autobiography Hong Kong Surgeon (and I am quoting from the 2019 Chinese edition), he mentioned that he spent twenty years building and perfecting the villa. It was built in an Eastern palatial style, facing Castle Peak on a 3.5 acres of land atop a 100-foot hill. The villa was surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the distinguishing features include a man-made cave with Italian marble as floor, artificial stalactites, statues and a fountain inside.
In another comment, I mentioned Dr. Li's residence White Jade on Hong Kong Island, and wondered where his villa Green Jade was. Now I think I have the answer. The photographs of its demolition are a surely a sorry sight.
Thank you for updating the title of this page. I am not sure about the build year. From the maps on www.hkmaps.hk, there was no building on the map "1952.1" (1:20000), but there was a building on the map "1957" (1:25000).
Thanks to IDJ for uploading two photos of the description of Green Jade in Dr. Li's memoirs.
Comments
Green Jade 青碧, or Tsing Bik Villa in Chinese
I believe this was Green Jade (Chinese name: 青碧 -- Tsing Bik), the villa of the late Dr. LI Shu-fan, member of the Legislative Council and long-time head of the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital. In his autobiography Hong Kong Surgeon (and I am quoting from the 2019 Chinese edition), he mentioned that he spent twenty years building and perfecting the villa. It was built in an Eastern palatial style, facing Castle Peak on a 3.5 acres of land atop a 100-foot hill. The villa was surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the distinguishing features include a man-made cave with Italian marble as floor, artificial stalactites, statues and a fountain inside.
In another comment, I mentioned Dr. Li's residence White Jade on Hong Kong Island, and wondered where his villa Green Jade was. Now I think I have the answer. The photographs of its demolition are a surely a sorry sight.
build date
I've changed the title to match the new findings. Does anyone have an idea of the build year?
Re: build date
Hi philk,
Thank you for updating the title of this page. I am not sure about the build year. From the maps on www.hkmaps.hk, there was no building on the map "1952.1" (1:20000), but there was a building on the map "1957" (1:25000).
Thanks to IDJ for uploading two photos of the description of Green Jade in Dr. Li's memoirs.