Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong

Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong Overview

Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware located in Hong Kong Park collects and displays ceramic cups, bowls and brewing trays from the Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties. Formerly the house of the Commander of British Forces in Hong Kong, it has been converted into a museum of teaware, showcasing British Colonial Architecture

Various posters about Chinese tea culture and tea preparations are displayed inside the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. On the second floor are very rare Chinese stone seals, Chinese ceramics and many tea-related items. The museum also hosts tea gathering ceremony, lectures and demonstrations to boost the Chinese tea drinking culture. Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is a very famous spot amongst the locals for wedding photo shoots and graduations.

Exhibits at Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea features a huge array of ancient Chinese ceramics belonging to great dynasties. Highlights of the museum are antique wooden tea tables, ceramic pitchers, cups, pots and bowls from 8th century to 20th century.

On the first floor of the museum different types of tea leaves are showcased. The first floor also has a gift shop selling a wide array of tea and ceramic tea ware. On the second floor of the Flagstaff House Museum ceramics belonging to the Tang Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Jin Dynasty are exhibited in glass cases. The museum also arranges tea ceremonies for free.

History

The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, originally called The Flagstaff House, was built by the British government in 1846. The Flagstaff House is the oldest building in Hong Kong portraying Greek Revival architecture. Major General George Charles D’Aguilar was it’s first occupant from 1844-1846.

The house was under the British command until 1978, after 1978 the Hong Kong government took control over the The Flagstaff House. It was converted into The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in 1984 by the Hong Kong government, an additional wing was added to the museum in 1955 called K.S.Lo Gallery. It was named after Dr. Kwee Seong Lo, a ceramics collector who donated his antique collection to the museum. The K.S.Lo Gallery constitutes of rare Chinese ceramics and stone seals.

How To Reach Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

MTR: To reach the museum people can travel from the Admiralty MTR Station, then take exit C1 and walk to museum situated at a distance of 850 m.

Bus: The buses available to reach the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea are Bus number 3B, 12, 12A, 23, 23B, 40, 103. Trams are available to reach the Queensway Admiralty MTR Station, from the station an escalator is available to go to the Hong Kong Park.

Car/Taxi: Rental cars and private cabs are also available to reach the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea.