Want to discover new facets of the Perfume Harbour? Visit Hong Kong’s art galleries and museums!
Renowned for its dizzying towers and many trendy addresses, Hong Kong is a destination of dizzying complexity. Influenced by East and West, the territory has evolved into a bustling region where tradition and modernity intermingle. Surprising and inspiring, Hong Kong is both the ideal breeding ground for creative minds and a prime location for culture lovers.
Good news: the destination has reopened with the lifting of travel restrictions linked to Covid-19*.
Don’t resist, and discover Hong Kong’s little hidden secrets – sometimes – just around the corner. Immerse yourself in Hong Kong’s vibrant art scene, visit its trendy galleries and delve deep into its history. Thanks to its museums and incredible range of educational activities, nothing could be easier. Here’s a selection of 9 must-do cultural visits in Hong Kong!
Museums
Hong Kong Museum of Art
Photo credit: Discover Hong Kong
- 📍 Location: Yau Tsim Mong District, Kowloon
- 💙 We love: the connection between traditional heritage and the new local art scene
Located on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the Hong Kong Museum of Art is a major cultural landmark. The first public art museum in the region, it deploys colossal resources to bridge the gap between China’s rich cultural heritage and the new local art scene. Boasting an impressive collection of works, displayed over almost 10,000 m², the museum also shines through its structured scenography.
Marvel at sublime antiques, contemplate Hong Kong’s modern art, discover local painting and calligraphy or take an interest in its industrial art. And at the Museum of Art, when there’s more, there’s more. Don’t miss its temporary exhibitions and special events highlighting international art.
Hong Kong Museum of History
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Sitthipong Pengjan
- 📍 Location: Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
- 💙 We like: a fun way to go back in time
Hungry to learn? Visit the Hong Kong Museum of History. Supported by donations and fieldwork, the museum is dedicated to presenting the history of Hong Kong and Southern China in an entertaining way. Divided into 3 main sections – Natural History, Ethnography and Local History – the museum presents Hong Kong from every angle.
From prehistory to modern times, discover the history, culture, geology and essence of this beautiful destination. Step back in time, plunge into old memories. You’ll enjoy wandering through the enriching and entertaining spaces, home to no fewer than 140,000 coins. Pictures, coins, account books and much more!
The Hong Kong Palace Museum
- 📍 Location: West Kowloon Cultural District
- 💙 We love: the incredible fusion of past and present
Opening in July 2022, The Hong Kong Palace Museum is already a landmark in the local cultural landscape. Billed as a « contemporary interpretation of the Forbidden City », the building – designed by Hong Kong architect Rocco Yim – has all the makings of a major landmark. Housing 9 galleries, spread over 13,000 m², it offers visitors a breathtaking selection of treasures.
A blend of innovative technology and tradition, the Hong Kong Palace Museum unites art and culture lovers around sensational collections. Coupling its incredible thematic exhibitions with special shows, it maintains its appeal to perfection. With architecture, art, cultural exchanges under the Ming and Qing dynasties, and much more, you’ll soon know all about local culture.
The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware
Photo credit: Discover Hong Kong
- 📍 Location: Hong Kong Park
- 💙 We like: the peaceful atmosphere of the visit and the tea tasting
Tucked away in a park, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware offers a gentle interlude. Much more than an ode to tea crockery, this Hong Kong museum lifts the veil on the culture of tea drinking.
With exhibitions, workshops, lectures and educational tours, everything is done to keep visitors as well-informed as possible. Contemplate its collection of precious Yixing clay teapots, admire its magnificent Chinese ceramics and take a look at its stone seals. At the end of the tour, stop off at the teahouse for a moment of pure relaxation.
Hong Kong Film Archive
Photo credit: Discover Hong Kong
- 📍 Location: Sai Wan Ho
- 💙 We love: discovering cinematic nuggets rarely seen elsewhere
Are you a cinephile looking for a place to call your own? The Hong Kong Film Archive won’t disappoint! Spanning 5 floors (only the 1st and 3rd are open to the public), this museum takes you on an astonishing journey to the seventh art. The museum’s curatorial role means it houses a wealth of resources and cinematic treasures well worth the detour. Book your day – there’s plenty to see.
Between books, magazines and audiovisual content, you won’t know where to turn. Immerse yourself in our extensive catalog, where international productions rub shoulders with Hong Kong classics, from kung fu to new wave. Watch brilliantly rare feature films and/or attend one of the many retrospectives organized throughout the year. In 2023, you can take part in a focus on soundtrack composer Tommy Wai.
M+
Photo credit: Discover Hong Kong
- 📍 Location: West Kowloon
- 💙 We love: its state-of-the-art spaces
Ideally located in the cultural district of West Kowloon, the M+ promises to be an eye-catcher. And it starts with its impressive LED façade, displaying programs and collections. Majestically overlooking Victoria Bay, this Hong Kong museum – dedicated to Asia’s contemporary visual culture – welcomes you into an immense, state-of-the-art space.
With no fewer than 33 galleries and exhibition spaces, it guarantees an immersive and interactive experience. Learning more about visual arts, design, architecture and moving images has never been so exciting! Want to extend your experience? Visit one of its restaurants or climb the Roof Garden for a breathtaking view of Hong Kong.
Art Galleries
Art Supermarket
Photo credit: Art Super Market
- 📍 Location: Soho
- 💙 We love: projecting one of this gallery’s original works into our living room
Located in the vibrant heart of Hong Kong, Art Supermarket is more than just a gallery. A veritable avant-garde nugget, this singular venue aims to make art accessible to as many people as possible. Far from aseptic staging, you’ll find a dynamic scenography inspired by street-art and Pop Culture. Please note: the gallery is open by appointment only.
Founded in 2011 by Michael Manzardo, it is dedicated to showcasing young artists from both the local and international scenes. You’ll discover the work of renowned British street artist Szabotage. Stroll happily through a space where disciplines intermingle, and imagine one of these works in your living room. And guess what? It’s entirely possible. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team on site to help you make your project a reality.
Blue Lotus Gallery
Photo credit: Flickr / Creative Commons license – @57Andrew
- 📍 Location: Sheung Wan
- 💙 We love: discovering the soul of Hong Kong through the eyes of promising artists
On a picturesque street in the bustling Sheung Wan district, you’ll find Blue Lotus. Hong Kong’s leading photography gallery, it has established itself – over the years – as a remarkable springboard for talented artists. As well as being an industry-renowned incubator, it is also a fantastic cultural tool.
Through a carefully curated program of exclusive exhibitions and events, it highlightsAsia’s cultural identity. And more specifically, Hong Kong’s contemporary heritage. In short, this gallery is an original and entertaining way to learn more about this exalted destination. Prints, photo books and vintage photographic equipment are waiting for you!
Bamboo Scenes Gallery
Photo credit: Bamboo Scenes Gallery
- 📍 Location: Sai Ying Pun
- 💙 We like: the narrative around each work on display
Set course for Sai Ying Pun and make a delightful stopover at Bamboo Scenes Gallery. Distinguished by its zen-like setting and relaxed ambience, this gallery is a unifying space where reality and the virtual combine to perfection. Whether you’re looking to admire beautiful works of art, are interested in « NFT Art », or are looking for a quality souvenir, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Rediscover the soul of Hong Kong through the lens of a handpicked range of artists. Among them are several award-winning photographers. The recipe here is simple: passion, prints made by the finest local craftsmen, and top-of-the-range materials. In addition to its high-quality display, Bamboo Scenes is keen to create a link between the public and each work on show. To do this, it creates an intimate narrative through videos, articles and other means.
As you can see, between its museums and galleries, Hong Kong has no shortage of cultural entertainment. Do you have a favorite in this selection?
Travel restrictions have been lifted: quarantine, vaccination, wearing a mask indoors and outdoors, and antigenic or PCR testing before departure from France are no longer compulsory for foreign visitors wishing to travel to Hong Kong.
As a reminder, with a European passport (valid for more than a month after returning from Hong Kong), visitors do not need a visa to stay for up to 90 days as tourists.
