Hong Kong’s Cultural Decade: What Opened and How to See It

For most of its modern history Hong Kong was known for commerce, food and its skyline, and visitors did not come for museums. That has changed within a few years. Between 2018 and 2024 the city opened more cultural buildings of international standing than in the previous half-century. This guide sets out what they are and how to see them.

Central: Tai Kwun and the auction houses

Tai Kwun opened in May 2018 in the former Central Police Station, a compound of sixteen colonial buildings that also held a magistracy and Victoria Prison. The restoration, funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, added two new buildings by Herzog & de Meuron clad in cast aluminium. The site now combines a contemporary art gallery, a history trail through the old cells and a courtyard of restaurants and bars. It is free to enter and busy at all hours.

A short walk away, the auction houses have become exhibition spaces in their own right. In 2024 Christie’s moved into The Henderson, the curving glass tower by Zaha Hadid Architects, and Sotheby’s opened a gallery and shop in Landmark Chater. Their previews, held before the spring and autumn sales, are open to all and show works that will not be seen in public again for years.

West Kowloon: three buildings on the harbour

The West Kowloon Cultural District, on reclaimed land facing the island, was planned for two decades before it produced a building. The Xiqu Centre, for Chinese opera, came first in January 2019. Its Tea House Theatre offers a ninety-minute introduction to Cantonese opera with tea and dim sum, and is the best way in for a newcomer.

M+ followed in November 2021. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, it is a museum of visual culture, covering art, design, architecture and film from Asia in the 20th and 21st centuries, with a facade that works as a screen facing the harbour. Allow half a day.

The Hong Kong Palace Museum opened in July 2022 at the western tip of the district, showing treasures on loan from the Palace Museum in Beijing in a building by Rocco Yim. Between the two museums runs a waterfront park with the best open view of the island’s skyline.

The calendar

The city’s art year turns on one week in late March, when Art Basel Hong Kong fills the Convention Centre and every institution opens its main exhibition. The autumn auction season, in October and November, is the second peak and a calmer time to visit.

Two days

On the first day, take Central: Tai Kwun in the morning, lunch nearby, the galleries of H Queen’s and the Pedder Building and whichever auction preview is on. On the second, cross to West Kowloon: M+ from opening, lunch in the museum, the Palace Museum in the afternoon and a performance at the Xiqu Centre in the evening.

For the first day, The Upper House, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and The Murray are all within a short walk or taxi ride. For West Kowloon, Rosewood Hong Kong is the closest of the leading hotels.