An arts and culture lovers’ guide to Hong Kong’s latest attractions

VIBRANT and energetic yet undeniably pluralistic, Hong Kong is renowned as one of the world’s busiest business hubs.

In a cosmopolitan city packed with luxurious shopping avenues and five-star dining experiences, Hong Kong has much to offer for art lovers.

With a unique blend of Chinese heritage and Western culture, Hong Kong is the perfect melting pot to enjoy captivating street art to modern art exhibitions and world-class performances.

1.  Step into Asia’s capital of modern art at the heart of Hong Kong 

Highly anticipated by art lovers, M+ is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary visual culture in the world.

Situated in the West Kowloon Cultural District overlooking Victoria Harbour, M+ is Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture.

Its collections from Asia and beyond encompass visual art, design, architecture, and moving images while offering a creative interactive experience. 

Besides art, you can enjoy shopping and dining, as well as take in spectacular views of Hong Kong’s stunning skyline on the Roof Garden.

"M+ is absolutely stunning when I visited. It is a massive space with a vibrant and modern vibe and an incredible collection of artworks.

“It's wonderful to see the Kowloon area developing into an art hub," says Irene Haagen, a Filipino gallery owner, and artist who is also a Hong Kong Super Fan.

In November, M+ will celebrate its first anniversary with the Special Exhibition Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now (main photo).

From Kusama's earliest works to her most recent creations, this exhibition features a vast array of artworks with six themes: Infinity, Accumulation, Radical Connectivity, Biocosmic, Death, and Life Force.

The exhibition will also present three brand-new works to audiences for the first time: Death of Nerves (2022), a large-scale installation connecting the museum’s ground floor and basement levels; Dots Obsession – Aspiring to Heaven's Love (2022), an immersive environment that includes one of the artist’s signature mirrored spaces; and Pumpkin (2022) two large sculptures available for public viewing in the Main Hall.

If you haven’t had the chance to visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art (HKMoA), now is the perfect time to do so.

First established in 1962, HKMoA reopened at the end of November 2019 after a four-year expansion and renovation programme.

Located at Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, it features a wide world of contrasts, from old to new, Chinese to Western and local to international.

It also presents a Hong Kong viewpoint, to refreshing ways of looking at tradition and making art relevant to everyone, creating new experiences and understanding.

HKMoA is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year by "Celebrating the Uncelebrated".

It includes a showcase of well-known artists alongside some of their lesser-known works from the museum's four core collections: Chinese Antiquities, Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, China Trade Art, and Modern and Hong Kong Art.

Lie Fhung, an Indonesian artist and designer who is also a Hong Kong Super Fan, enjoyed "In-Between", which featured local designer Choi Kim-hung as the lead artist. 

Choi collaborated with seven other artists to create an inviting journey through various art media.

“It's amusing while also being contemplative and inspiring. Come check it out for yourself!”, she shared.

2. Immerse in the rich heritage at Hong Kong Palace Museum and Tai Kwun

For the Chinese art and culture aficionado, the new Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) will indulge your art senses with its display of priceless treasures.

Opening its doors in July this year, HKPM regularly presents special exhibitions featuring Chinese art and culture, as well as from other parts of the world.

Sitting on a 13,000-square-metre site at the western tip of the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Hong Kong Palace Museum comprises nine galleries and presents nearly 1,000 priceless treasures from the Palace Museum in Beijing.

Many of them are on display in Hong Kong for the first time.

Opened in May 2018, Tai Kwun is one of the most significant revitalisation projects in Hong Kong.

The site comprises three Declared Monuments of Hong Kong – the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison.

All have been meticulously conserved, with unfailing attention to authenticity. 

Tai Kwun, which means “big station” in Chinese, is the colloquial name used by Hong Kong people to refer to the former police headquarters and the surrounding compound.

The name has been adopted as a reminder of the historical importance of this living heritage site. 

Visitors can enjoy an eclectic mix of visual arts exhibitions, music and theatre performances, film screenings and educational programmes.

Tai Kwun also delights visitors with free lunchtime concerts, evening openings, and a stellar line-up of F&B outlets.

3. Watch a traditional Cantonese Opera performance at Xiqu Centre     

Built with the aim of preserving the traditional art form, Xiqu Centre is an award-winning venue showcasing world-class productions of Cantonese opera and other regional forms of Chinese opera (xiqu).

Catering for seasoned fans and newcomers alike, Xiqu Centre presents award-winning troupes, master artists, and emerging talent.

It also offers large-scale classic dramas, rare regional productions, and experimental contemporary creations.

The larger of its two theatres, the Grand Theatre, features performances by some of the best troupes in the region.

The more intimate Tea House Theatre is designed in the style of Hong Kong’s early 20th-century tea houses.

It’s home to the signature Tea House Theatre Experience – a narrated performance of Cantonese opera excerpts perfect for new audiences.     

In the words of Fhung: “It’s nice to see some tradition live on amongst the ever-changing times.”

4. Explore the Mural Clusters and step up your IG feed aesthetics

Hong Kong has some of the best mural clusters in the world, with many local and international artists leaving their mark in the form of captivating wall art.

From the alleyways of Peng Chau Island to murals hiding in plain sight at Wan Chai and Sai Ying Pun, there are surprises at every turn if you know where to look.

The murals are refreshed from time to time by famous street artists and various art groups such as HKwalls, a non-profit arts organisation.  

With its state-of-the-art museums and art centre to its cultural heritage, it will be a real treat for art lovers from all walks of life.

For a list of activities to make your visit to Hong Kong unforgettable, visit New Adventures at Every Turn. – The Vibes, November 20, 2022