Hong Kong has long enjoyed a reputation of being Asia’s primary art capital, with its rich cultural heritage and flair for the creative. The city houses dozens of art galleries and scores of museums, where purveyors and aficionados of visual art forms can get their fill of the latest from local and foreign artists, alike. It is also home to vibrant art in unexpected places: Artlane’s eye-catching street murals at the trendy district of Sai Ying Pun; creative nooks and crannies at Old Town’s Police Married Quarters (PMQ) and its surrounding streets; the indoor and outdoor spaces of Tai Kwun in Central district; the quaint and artistic shops and cafés at The Mills in Tsuen Wan; among many other venues.
While it may be argued that Hong Kong’s glittering fame as an art hub has lost a degree of its sparkle, given the rise of other art capitals all across Asia, there are concerted efforts to infuse fresh color and character into the local cultural scene.
Here are four new attractions to visit, for a fabulous foray into Hong Kong’s fantastic arts and culture landscape:
The city houses dozens of art galleries and scores of museums, where purveyors and aficionados of visual art forms can get their fill of the latest from local and foreign artists.
M+, West Kowloon Cultural District
M+, one of the world’s largest museums of modern and contemporary visual culture, opened in the heart of the West Kowloon Cultural District on November 12, 2021. The museum showcases visual culture from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including visual art, design and architecture, and moving imagery. The M+ building is home to 33 galleries plus an array of exhibition and display spaces.
Located at the southernmost edge of Kowloon overlooking Victoria Harbour, the M+ façade itself is a sight to behold. Boasting a massive LED setup that can be seen from Hong Kong Island, across the harbor, the building is a thrilling addition to the harbor skyline. It has quickly become one of Hong Kong’s most recognizable landmarks, for its monumental, urban architecture, as well as its Roof Garden which affords stunning panoramas of the harbor and its environs.
Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District
The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), the newest addition to Hong Kong’s thriving arts and culture scene, opened its doors to much anticipation on July 3, 2022. With over 900 treasured artifacts from the Palace Museum Beijing, HKPM is a haven for art, culture, and history aficionados. Many of the treasures are on exhibit in Hong Kong for the first time, while others have never before been displayed in public. Aside from housing the primary collection, the museum also plays hosts to special and seasonal exhibitions of Chinese art and culture, as well as art and artifacts from around the world. As such, visitors to this museum can expect both a Hong Kong viewpoint and a worldwide perspective, as embodied in art and historical pieces.
From this vantage point, HKPM aims to establish international connections and assist in repositioning Hong Kong as Asia’s art capital. The museum also serves as a hub for cultural interactions between China and the rest of the world, through creative research and traveling exhibits, as well as educational, cultural, and professional exchange programs.
Xiqu Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
Opened on January 20, 2019, Xiqu Centre is a world-class performance facility that was built to showcase and promote local arts and culture — specifically, Chinese traditional theatre, Cantonese opera, and regional Xiqu forms — to the world. Large-scale classic dramas, rare regional shows, and experimental modern works are performed at the center on a regular basis.
Founded with the objective of maintaining, promoting, and expanding the historical art of Chinese opera, Xiqu Centre is home to performances from Hong Kong and mainland China, and also hosts special engagements of global performances. With a wide array of shows performed by renowned troupes, master artists, as well as up-and-coming talent, Xiqu Centre attracts seasoned fans and newbies, alike.
The venue likewise features the Tea House Theatre Experience, a uniquely curated introduction to Cantonese opera, presented by its resident artists, Tea House Rising Stars Troupe. Film screenings, musical performances, and a variety of educational activities are also on the yearly roster of events.
West Kowloon Art Park, West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Art Park is a beautiful urban sanctuary in West Kowloon’s Cultural District. Its expansive waterfront promenade provides some of the most breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong Island skyline. The pet-friendly Art Park’s manicured open lawns and sculpted green areas along the promenade are excellent not just for amusement and relaxation, but also for open-air concerts, exhibitions, live performances, and other such events. From fine dining to bistros and intimate cafés, the promenade is dotted with a broad assortment of dining outlets offering various flavors and experiences, making it a popular venue for art lovers and foodies, alike.
