King Yin Lei

King Yin Lei

King Yin Lei is a historic mansion in Hong Kong, renowned for its distinctive Chinese Renaissance architectural style, featuring striking red bricks and green-tiled roofs that exude an old-world charm. It is located at 45 Stubbs Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island, and was officially designated as a declared monument of Hong Kong on July 11, 2008.

Built in 1937 and originally named “Heywood Villa,” the property was owned by Lee Po-lin, the daughter of the prominent Chinese tycoon Lee Po-chun, and her husband Sum Yam-chu. In 1977, the “Plum King” Yau Chi-wan purchased the mansion for HK$24 million and renamed it “King Yin Lei.” The mansion was constructed in the Chinese Renaissance style, blending elements of both Chinese and Western architecture. The main building adopts the traditional Lingnan “courtyard” layout — a central structure flanked by two wings, all opening to the south. The roofs of the main building and the wings feature the hip-and-gable roof design, a hallmark of larger-scale ancient Chinese architecture. The pavilion at the back of the main building has a double-eaved hexagonal pyramidal roof, a highly valuable historical architectural element.

The exquisite exterior of King Yin Lei attracts many visitors who come to take photos, making it a popular attraction. Its social value also lies in its role within Hong Kong’s film culture and entertainment industry. Numerous films have been shot at the mansion, such as the 1955 Hollywood movie *Soldier of Fortune* starring Clark Gable, and the TVB drama *Love and Passion*, featuring Barbara Yung and Damian Lau.

King Yin Lei

Why go: One of Hong Kong’s most iconic buildings featuring a blend of Chinese and Western architectural features