From ancient Chinese treasures to contemporary masterpieces, this fine museum is a must for art-lovers.
Hong Kong Museum of Art contains more than 15,000 artworks tracing the cultural history of this Special Administrative Region of China and showcasing the work of some of today’s best artists.Established in 1962, the museum has quickly built a reputation as the city’s premier art gallery, packed with many fascinating exhibits ranging from the 16th to the 21st centuries. A highlight is the Xubaizhai Gallery, where beautiful landscape paintings and scrolls illustrate facets of life in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Other galleries display paintings, calligraphy and sculptures from Hong Kong and China.The displays are rotated on a regular basis, so it is possible to view different exhibits on each visit, and many locals enjoy popping in on their way home to see what’s new. Depending on when you visit, you might see examples from the museum’s fine collection of ceramics, bamboo carvings, bronze and jade artefacts or wall hangings. Another reason for visiting frequently is to check out the temporary exhibitions by some of the best local artists, whose work often blends Chinese traditions with Western influences to interesting effect. The museum’s website has full details of temporary exhibitions and other events.Hong Kong Museum of Art is situated close to the Star Ferry port overlooking the harbour at Tsim Sha Tsui. Take Exit E of the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station, or catch the ferry from Central or Wan Chai to Tsim Sha Tsui ferry port, from where the museum is reached at the end of an attractive ten-minute walk.If you’ve enjoyed your visit to the museum, why not check out its branch venue, the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, in Hong Kong Park. As well as housing an important collection of ceramics, the building is interesting for being the city’s oldest surviving example of the British architectural style.
