“Diversity” has always been a shining label for Hong Kong. In this bustling international metropolis, foreign art floods in, local art rises strongly, and they interact and collide with each other, presenting a new atmosphere in the streets and alleys.
In addition to cultural exchanges, the “nostalgic” Hong Kong is also committed to the protection and promotion of traditional culture. If you want to understand the history, art, and culture of this city with extraordinary temperament, you might as well take two days to shuttle between the many art venues in Hong Kong and personally experience the charm of ancient and modern connections and the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures!
Day 1
1.Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum in Beijing, showcasing precious collections from around the world, including more than 900 precious cultural relics from the Palace Museum. Many of them are publicly exhibited in Hong Kong for the first time, and some have never been exhibited before.
The ongoing exhibition “Gazing at Sanxingdui: New Archaeological Discoveries in Sichuan” is the first exhibition held outside Sichuan, displaying archaeological finds from Sanxingdui, such as large masks, large divine beasts, and kneeling figures with twisted heads.
2.West Kowloon Art Park
Also located in the West Kowloon Cultural District, along with the Hong Kong Palace Museum, is the West Kowloon Art Park, which provides a relaxing and restful space. The park is full of greenery, where you can frolic and picnic on the lawn or stroll along the waterfront promenade and enjoy the sunset view of Victoria Harbour.
The Art Park also frequently hosts outdoor performances, exhibitions, and other cultural activities, such as “West Kowloon Halloween” and “Art Park Bicycle Photography Tour”. There are also shops in the park where you can enjoy Asian cuisine while appreciating the view of Victoria Harbour, light food stores selling coffee and ice cream, and food trucks providing authentic experiences.
3.M+ Museum
Overlooking the view of Victoria Harbour, M+ Museum is one of the world’s leading museums of contemporary visual culture. It has 33 galleries with a total of 17,000 square meters of exhibition space, as well as a cinema, multimedia center, learning hub, and a rooftop garden facing Victoria Harbour.
The M+ Museum’s collection covers the fields of design and architecture, moving image, and visual art, with works from around the world. Recent exhibitions worth seeing at the museum include “The Sigg Collection: Chinese Art since the 1970s”, which visually explores the styles and practices of Chinese contemporary art from the 1990s to the present, and the exhibition “Song Huaigui: Art Pioneer and Fashion Icon”, about the legendary figure who changed the face of Chinese art, fashion, and popular culture from 1980 to 2000.
4.Kowloon Park
Moving east from the M+ Museum, you can take a walk in Kowloon Park. Kowloon Park was originally a military barracks and is now a beautiful urban park and an amusement park in the bustling city.
The Chinese Garden in the outdoor facilities features ancient Chinese-style pavilions and pebble paths. The Sculpture Walk is a spot adorned with roses. In addition to sightseeing, you can also go to the soccer field or playground to stretch your muscles.
The indoor facilities mainly include a sports center and a swimming pool, which are good places for local residents to exercise.
5.Central Market
If you want to deeply feel the historical and cultural traces of Hong Kong and immerse yourself in the nostalgic atmosphere of “old Hong Kong”, Central Market is worth a visit. It is a nostalgic landmark of Hong Kong. After years of conservation and revitalization, the historical buildings are well-preserved. On this basis, many local snacks and cultural and creative shops have gathered here, and there are also frequent art exhibitions, creating a strong cultural atmosphere.
The two highlights of Central Market are the terrazzo stairs and the red egg lamps. The terrazzo stairs, which are loved by tourists, are also the favorite of photographer Ho Fan and appear in many of his works. The egg lamps are a symbol of traditional markets. Central Market not only retains the original appearance and red color but also makes a modern design by changing one side to a copper color.
In addition to its rich history and culture, Central Market also has many interesting and hidden check-in points and a series of activities, so don’t miss it!
Day 2
6.Hong Kong Museum of Art
Established in 1962, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is the first public art museum in Hong Kong, with a collection of more than 18,000 art treasures spanning ancient and modern times from China and abroad, among which Chinese painting and calligraphy are particularly worth seeing.
Recently, the museum has held many impressive exhibitions, such as “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area: A Vibrant Cultural Landscape of the Ming and Qing Dynasties”, which showcases selected masterpieces from museums in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macao, displaying the scenery of the Greater Bay Area and the silk production techniques during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
7.Hong Kong Space Museum
The Hong Kong Space Museum has an eye-catching egg-shaped appearance and is divided into East and West wings inside. The East Wing houses the Space Theatre and the Hall of the Cosmos, while the West Wing features the Hall of Space Exploration and the Astrobook shop. Here, you can simulate a moonwalk, enjoy ultra-high-definition animations and movies under the full-dome screen, and embark on a journey through the starry sky.
In addition, the Hong Kong Space Museum also holds activities such as “Stargazing in the City”, “Astronomy Carnival”, “Fun Astronomy Class”, and “Special Astronomical Observation” every year.
8.K11 MUSEA
The globally renowned K11 MUSEA is located in the heart of Victoria Dockside, formerly the Blue Smoke Stack Warehouse Pier. The wave-shaped exterior designed by internationally renowned designers echoes its name – Muse by the Sea.
K11 MUSEA is not only a shopping mall but also a cultural and artistic venue, with creative exhibits scattered throughout. Art galleries and workshops regularly hold exhibitions and unique activities. Amidst the fast pace of Hong Kong, K11 MUSEA provides a place for everyone to get close to art, culture, and nature.
Upon entering K11 MUSEA, you will be attracted by the dazzling Gold Ball – the LED lights on this spherical space can create various lighting effects and shine with different radiance. The pink bear sculpture on the B1 level, named “Cha Cha Cha 1, 2”, is quite popular and creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
The outdoor art space Sculpture Park is not only a place to appreciate sculptures but also a secret check-in point for overlooking Victoria Harbour and enjoying the sunset view. The rooftop of K11 MUSEA also features a charming oasis – the two-story Bohemian Garden. The lower level of the garden has an outdoor dining area, while the upper level has a chef’s garden and a central lawn for play, where families can fully enjoy themselves.
9.Hong Kong Museum of History
The predecessor of the Hong Kong Museum of History was the Hong Kong Museum of Art, which was established in 1962. Today, in addition to the main museum located on Chatham Road South, the Hong Kong Museum of History also has five branch museums.
The permanent exhibition in the museum is called “The Hong Kong Story”, with more than 4,000 exhibits in 8 galleries, such as the pottery house model from the Eastern Han Dynasty, the HK$100 banknote from the Oriental Bank Corporation in 1866, and the calendar poster printed by A.S. Watson & Co., Ltd. in 1914. These exhibits well showcase the historical development and folk customs of Hong Kong.
10.The Star Ferry
For 120 years, the Star Ferry has been shuttling between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, serving as an affordable and convenient daily transportation for local residents and a must-do itinerary for tourists from all over the world. These green and white passenger ferries intertwined with the blue sea create the classic scenery of Victoria Harbour. The Star Ferry has two routes: Tsim Sha Tsui – Central and Tsim Sha Tsui – Wan Chai.
The Star Ferry scenery is even more special at night. Experience the “A Symphony of Lights” activity, where the boats will not only pass by numerous landmark buildings along the way but also stop in the center of Victoria Harbour, allowing you to enjoy the stunning light and music show. It can be said that this activity fully showcases the vibrancy and prosperity of Victoria Harbour.
You can follow the WeChat official account “TheStarFerry” to learn about specific ticket information and ferry schedules.
In addition to the art and culture-themed citywalk routes mentioned in the article, Xiaohongshu has also partnered with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to launch the “Hong Kong Walk Guide”, offering a total of 5 citywalk routes such as “Mountain and Sea Walk” and “Graffiti Walk”.
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