Hong Kong Heritage Museum , Hong Kong Overview

Located in Sha Tin, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is the biggest museum in the city sitting on 7,500 square meters of land. Unlike most non-engaging museums, what distinguishes this from others is that it showcases a unique combination of art, culture, history with a multitude of activities and programs which serve wide-ranging interests of everyone. From beautifully preserved relics to interactive attractions and activities, Hong Kong Heritage museum is the quintessential modern-day treasury.

Patterned with quaint Chinese architecture ‘Siheyuan’ of having a compound (with a central courtyard) while being enclosed between buildings on all 4 sides, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum aims at entertaining as well as enlightening the huge flock of visitors who come here all year round. A major bonus here comes in the form of the collaboration between the museum and the Bruce Lee Foundation wherein over 600 items from the cultural phenomenon and global icon’s memorabilia have been set up as a collection on display ranging from his letters and doodling notebooks to fight choreography sketches and exclusive interviews. Some major highlights of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum are the presentation of the Cantonese Opera, Chinese art pieces, old toy displays among several others.

Exhibitions at Hong Kong Heritage Museum

The Hong Kong Heritage Museum houses 5 permanent exhibits along with other thematic galleries. They are-

The Jin Yong Gallery- This exhibit showcases the incredible world of martial arts by the infamous novelist Jing Yong. There are over 300 displays of his early career days, the makings of his brainchild- creative processes behind the introduction and evolution of martial arts and interactive exhibits playing snippets of some popular films and TV shows conceptualized on the basis of his writings on martial arts.

Children’s Discovery Gallery- Consisting of 8 play zones and designed especially for children aged 4-10 years, this gallery offers fantastic and very engaging ways for them to learn about the mystic nature and to discover the wonders of archaeology. There are also hands-on display experiences of old local toys to give them the feel of childhood in the vintage city.

Children's Discovery Gallery at Hong Kong Heritage Museum — Children's Discovery Gallery
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T.T Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art- This features fine antiquities and decorative Chinese art like bronze, pottery sculptures, and ceramics. Around 30 objects are focused upon in this exhibit representing certain aspects of life which are food, entertainment, animals, and belief through which the visitors can get an idea of how life was in the past.

Chao Shao-an Gallery- This exhibit contains porcelains and painting works by the very talented artistic duo Chao Shao-an and Yang Shanshen.

Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall- One of the iconic highlights of the museum, this is a beautifully reconstructed bamboo theatre that plays old videos of Cantonese Opera with English subtitles. It also has a showcase of the life and performances of the world-renowned Cantonese Opera celebrity, Lee Hong Kum.

Cantonese Opera Hall at Hong Kong Heritage Museum — Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall
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Guided Tours

The museum has several free guided tours for the various exhibits such as-

Porcelain and Painting- throughout the year on Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays from 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM at Chao Shao-an gallery.

Bruce Lee: Kung Fu- till 20th July 2020 at thematic gallery 6. Timings being 12:00 to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays and from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Wednesdays.

Jing Yong Gallery- throughout the year on every Saturday and Public Holiday on the ground floor from 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM.

Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall- throughout the year on every Saturday and Public Holiday on the 1st floor from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese art- throughout the year every Saturday on the 2nd floor from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

Museum Collections

Every collection of Hong Kong Heritage Museum is a reflection and interpretation of the essence of Hong Kong in consonance with its history, culture, art, and environment. They range from a baffling array of history based artifacts which include local history relics, performing and folk art relics and articles of popular culture in addition to the art collections consisting of contemporary art paintings, Chinese fine art, and designs, calligraphy works. Some recent additions made are the stunning paintings by Chao Shao-an and the hundreds of pieces in the Bruce Lee exhibit.

Tips

1. The environment of the museum is a very child-friendly, one with many engaging activities and showcases for them, so you need not worry about kids getting bored and should definitely bring them along.
2. The free guided tours are mostly in Cantonese, so for general English speaking public, a better alternative would be check beforehand if any English tours are available, or to look up if any audio guide service is available or to bring along/hire your own guide who can describe the museum exhibits and information regarding it in the preferred language.

How To Reach Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Board an MTR and get down at the Che Kung Temple Station, take exit A and walk for about 5 minutes along the footbridge to reach the museum.

One can also use the KCR rail to get down at the Che Kung Temple Station, taking exit A and walking for 5 minutes along the footbridge to reach the museum.