Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is a base for patriotic education.

The Hong Kong Heritage Museum (English: Hong Kong Heritage Museum) is located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. It is a comprehensive museum in Hong Kong covering various aspects of history, art, and culture. The museum's design adopts the traditional Chinese courtyard layout and incorporates modern architectural techniques, making it highly distinctive. The building is centered around a central axis, with symmetrical balance on both sides, covered with traditional Chinese tiled roofs, and the exhibition halls are connected by corridors. The museum has five floors with a total area of 28,500 square meters, featuring 12 exhibition halls. In addition to six regularly updated special exhibitions, the museum houses six permanent exhibition halls that contribute to the introduction and preservation of Cantonese opera, the cultural history of the New Territories, and Chinese culture.

The museum features a distinctive design based on the traditional Chinese courtyard layout combined with modern architectural techniques. The building is centered around a central axis with symmetrical balance. It has five floors, topped with traditional Chinese tiled roofs, and the exhibition halls are interconnected by corridors. The museum includes several permanent exhibition halls, such as the New Territories Heritage Hall, the Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall dedicated to introducing and showcasing the performance and development of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong, and the Children's Discovery Gallery that introduces natural and cultural history, including the "Hong Kong Toys of Yesteryear" exhibition that takes visitors down memory lane of popular toys in Hong Kong's past. The museum also encompasses a diverse range of Hong Kong art collections. In addition to the Xu Zhen Tang Gallery of Chinese Art, there is the Zhao Shao’ang Art Gallery featuring numerous works by Zhao Shao’ang and other contemporary masters. The heritage halls also include multiple special exhibition halls displaying themed exhibits such as traditional Chinese woodblock printing and Hong Kong comics, offering a rich visual experience.

The museum focuses on collecting artifacts from Hong Kong and neighboring regions, mainly those related to the New Territories, Cantonese opera, local design collections, and artworks. Centered on serving its visitors, the Cultural Museum offers diverse and engaging exhibitions and programs, allowing guests to not only appreciate the artifacts but also participate in activities, blending learning with leisure. Each year, the museum selects a theme and organizes a series of exhibitions and educational outreach activities to explore the cultural characteristics of Hong Kong from multiple perspectives.

Permanent Exhibition Halls

Audio-Visual Guide Hall. Through a series of short films titled "Cultural Heritage," the hall showcases the cultural characteristics of Hong Kong and details the museum’s role in preserving cultural heritage. The guide hall also displays a selection of highlighted artifacts, offering a preview of the finest parts of the collection.

New Territories Heritage Hall. This hall introduces the history and artifacts of Hong Kong’s New Territories, displaying over 300 items. Using thematic sections such as “Natural Environment,” “Prehistoric Life,” “Trade and Coastal Defense,” “Fishing Village Scenes,” “Village Life,” “British Rule,” “Transformation of the Old into the New,” and “A New Milestone” via a time tunnel, it traces environmental and social changes and looks forward to future developments.

Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall. This hall introduces the performance and development of Cantonese opera in Hong Kong. The museum’s collection of Cantonese opera artifacts includes performance props and costumes once used by famous opera stars.

Children's Discovery Gallery. This gallery introduces natural and cultural history, including the "Hong Kong Toys of Yesteryear" exhibition that revisits popular toys from Hong Kong’s past.

Xu Zhen Tang Gallery of Chinese Art. Showcasing precious Chinese artifacts and artworks donated by the Xu Zhen Tang Art Foundation, such as ceramics from various dynasties, pottery sculptures, bronzes, Tibetan treasures, and more.

Zhao Shao’ang Art Gallery. Displays works by Zhao Shao’ang and other contemporary masters.

Bruce Lee: Kung Fu · Art · Life. Unveiled on July 20, 2013 (the 40th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s passing), this exhibition ran for five years and displayed over 600 artifacts, including costumes, handwritten drawings, and notes. The exhibition space covers a total area of 850 square meters and features several specially built setups, including recreations of key scenes from five of Bruce Lee’s classic martial arts films, a simulated version of his gym, and his study. The exhibition also includes a collector series that regularly updates and showcases treasured items loaned by different collectors.

Transportation Guide

Location: 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong

Transportation: Take KMB buses 280P, 282, 72A, 80M, 86, 89, N271; or Long Win buses A41, E42, N42, R42 to get there.