Tai Fu Tai Mansion

Tai Fu Tai was built in 1865 at San Tin for a member of the Man clan who had gained a scholar-official rank, and it is the best preserved house of its type in Hong Kong: a compact two-hall residence in grey brick with a decorated ridge, granite columns, plaster mouldings, carved wooden screens and gilded panels recording the family's examination successes and honours. What surprises visitors is the glass. Coloured and etched panes imported from Europe were set into the windows of the side chambers, mixing Rococo-influenced plasterwork with a strictly Chinese plan. It was restored in the 1980s, declared a monument, and is open free, standing among fish ponds and village housing.

History

The mansion was probably built in 1865, under the Qing dynasty, as the home of Man Chung-luen, whose ancestors had settled in San Tin in the 15th century. In 2007 it was digitally recorded with 3D laser scanning (Wikipedia, Tai Fu Tai Mansion).

What to look for

• European stained glass in a Qing house - imported panes in the side chambers.
• Carved screens and gilded panels - the interior decoration of a scholar's home.
• Honour boards for examination success - the family record on the walls.
• The decorated roof ridge - moulded figures along the top.

When to go

October to April. One hour. Closed Tuesdays. Buses out are infrequent, so check return times. Combine with the Lung Yeuk Tau trail or Mai Po.

Practical notes

It is a single small house and the visit is short. The surroundings are fish ponds and ordinary village building. Interpretation is limited. Bus connections are slow and infrequent.

Nearby

Mai Po is south-west; Lung Yeuk Tau lies east.

Key facts