Hong Kong Museum of History – Review guide to Hong Kong’s best museum

The Hong Kong Museum of History has a remarkable collection. It is considered as one of the best museums of the city. Visual appealing exhibitions and galleries makes it fun to explore the history and heritage of Hong Kong. The museum is a great place to enjoy a day of family-friendly activities.

Below are all the info you need to know about the popular Museum of History, including e.g. entrance fees, ticket prices, how to get to the museum, what you can do, activities, special exhibitions, events and bookings.

What is Hong Kong Museum of History?

The Hong Kong Museum of History is a highlight for history lovers. The museum was established in 1975 and attracts a large amount of visitors every year. It is considered as one of the best museums in the city.

Expect to explore the 6,000 years of Hong Kong history through various entertaining dioramas and displays. The museum manages to preserve, showcase and display the history and culture of the city on over 17,500 square meters. Exhibitions and galleries range from the Neolithic to the post-war period.

The exhibitions and galleries are laid out in a chronicle way called “The Hong Kong Story”. The visual informative, entertaining and child-friendly exhibits make it easy to learn and understand more about the history and heritage of Hong Kong and China.

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Highlights of Hong Kong Museum of History

Updated information: Currently, the permanent exhibition halls of Hong Kong Museum of History undergoes renovation. During the revamping project you can only enjoy fractions of the popular Hong Kong Story exhibition. The exhibition is titled: “Recreating a Classic: The Best Features of the Hong Kong Story”. In addition, the Hong Kong-style Cha Chaan Teng restaurant and café has been closed.

The Hong Kong Story

The Museum of History houses a large range of permanent exhibitions. In fact, “The Hong Kong Story” exhibition is one of the highlights. The fascinating permanent exhibition is dedicated to the history, traditions and culture of the city. Holdings in archaeology and ethnography preserve the historical, traditional and cultural heritage.

The museum plays an important role on preserving the cultural heritage. Discover, explore and travel through the following different time periods:

1. The Natural Environment
2. Prehistoric Hong Kong
3. The Dynasties: From the Han to the Qing
4. Folk Culture in Hong Kong
5. The Opium Wars and the Cession of Hong Kong
6. Birth and Early Growth of the City
7. The Japanese Occupation
8. Modern Metropolis and the Return to China

Local culture and traditions

Explore, learn and understand more about the local culture and traditions:

Find out more about customs, traditions, events and festivals (e.g. the Cheung Chau Bun Festival).

Lion dance is a local tradition that is still found in everyday life.

Witness a traditional wedding procession march.

Take a look and admire e.g. traditional wedding dresses and Chinese clothing styles of different time periods.

Explore the humble beginnings of the city and the role of the boat dwellers.

Follow the transformation from a humble fishing village to a thriving global market place.

The Opium Wars

The Opium Wars and the cession of Hong Kong are displayed at a large area of the museum.

For many visitors this section is one of the main reasons to visit the Museum of History.

Japanese occupation

A complete section of the exhibition is dedicated to the life under Japanese occupation during World War II.

Modern Hong Kong

The last section of the Hong Kong Story focuses on the modern part and transformation of the city. Explore e.g. how the transportation and development of infrastructure changed the everyday life.

The iconic Ding Ding trams are are an essential part of the city. To this date the beloved trams are still one of the cheapest mode of transportation around the city. Check out the related article for additional information and insights about the iconic Ding Ding trams and special TramOramic City Tour.

Special Exhibitions

Another highlight are the ever changing thematic exhibitions. These special exhibitions are just temporarily available. They focus and cover a wide range of topics and interests ranging from e.g. local history and culture to international acclaimed exhibitions and exhibits. In the past you could learn and enjoy special exhibitions e.g:

• Fifty Years of Hong Kong Archaeology
• Hong Kong and Macau Currencies
• Local Traditional Chinese Wedding
• Made in Hong Kong: A History of Export Design in Hong Kong
• Heavenly Creations: Gems of Ancient Chinese Inventions
• Rise of Modern China: A Century of Self-determination
• The Great Wall: Gems of Cultural Relics of the Nomadic Tribes
• War and Peace: Treasures of the Qin and Han Dynasties

Architecture of the Museum of History

The state-of-the-art architecture of the museum is another highlight for many visitors. Just opposite is the Science Museum located. Taking a look at both of them, you can see that they form a special harmonious unit.

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What can you do at the Museum of History?

The permanent and special exhibitions are not the only things you can do at the Museum of History. The museum usually organises e.g. special lectures, workshops and activities.

Updated information:　 Unfortunately, the Hong Kong-Style Cha chaan teng restaurant and café has been closed.

Besides that the Museum of History has a small museum coffee corner and restaurant. The design of the restaurant is held in a typical Hong Kong-style. The Hong Kong-style restaurant and café are called cha chaan teng. Here you can enjoy some local delicacies such as e.g. Hong Kong-style milk tea, pineapple buns or other local all-time classics.

The museum also has a souvenir store. In case you are e.g. looking for some unique Hong Kong related souvenirs you might want to take a closer look at this souvenir store.

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Hong Kong Museum of History admission and ticket prices

So, how much are the ticket prices, entrance fees and admission to Hong Kong Museum of History? There is good news for you. The admission to the museum is free of charge. There are no ticket prices or admission charges if you want to visit the permanent exhibitions.

However, if you plan to visit some of the e.g. special exhibitions, events or galleries you have to prepare to pay for entrance tickets. These special exhibitions usually focus on a specific topic or time period. Having said that they are available only for a certain period of time.

The prices for these special exhibitions vary. Having said that, you don’t need to worry. The ticket prices are usually very fair.

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Is it worthwhile to visit the Museum of History?

Similar to cinemas and movie theatres, museums are usually are great option on a rainy day. You may wonder is it worthwhile to visit the HKMoA on a regular day? Should you put it on your top attraction and must-see bucket list?

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What can you do on rainy days in Hong Kong

The Museum of History is highly recommended. Especially, if you are a history buff or love to get to know more about Hong Kong, China and its culture and traditions.

The exhibitions and galleries lead you from past to present times and are very well curated. They take you on a journey from the humble beginnings to the ultra-modern city of present Hong Kong.

The various visual exhibitions are fun and entertaining. Various historic scenes, shops as well as streets have been carefully recreated and reconstructed.

Just to give you an example. In order to show you the real life in old times, the Hong Kong government decided to relocate original stores, shops and places. For example: the Chinese medicine shop and many other scenes have been relocated from their original locations stone by stone. Needless to say that it can’t get more real than that.

In case you plan to visit this family-friendly museum make sure to plan sufficient time to explore this fascinating exhibitions.

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Hotels close to the Museum of History – or where are the best places to stay

No matter if you are a first-time or repeating visitor to Hong Kong, it is recommended to plan your stay ahead. Choosing to either stay on the Kowloon or Hong Kong Island side is not the only thing to decide. Hotel rooms and accommodation fill up quickly and room rates skyrocket. Having said that try to book and secure your hotel room as early as possible!

Stay in Tsim Sha Tsui (close to Museum of History)

The closest location to Hong Kong Museum of History is Tsim Sha Tsui (TST), especially the East Tsim Sha Tsui area. Plenty of hotels are available in every price range. Many of them are located within walking distance to the museum. The area is very convenient and has e.g. several other top sightseeing attractions, restaurants and shopping options in close proximity.

Best hotel options in East Tsim Sha Tsui (steps away from the museum)

1. Hotel Icon 唯港薈
2. InterContinental Grand Stanford Hotel 海景嘉福洲際酒店
3. New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel 千禧新世界香港酒店
4. Harbour Plaza Metropolis 都會海逸酒店
5. Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel 九龍香格里拉酒店
6. Regal Kowloon Hotel 富豪九龍酒店
7. The Royal Garden Hotel 香港帝苑酒店
8. Park Hotel Hong Kong 香港百樂酒店

Best Hotel options in Tsim Sha Tsui:

1. Regent Hong Kong (former InterContinental Hong Kong) 香港麗晶酒店 (原香港洲際酒店)
2. Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers 香港喜來登酒店
3. The Peninsula Hong Kong 香港半島酒店
4. K11 Artus (new) K11寓館
5. Rosewood Hotel (new) 香港瑰麗酒店
6. YMCA Salisbury 港青酒店
7. FWD House 1881
8. Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel 馬哥孛羅酒店
9. Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel 九龍香格里拉酒店
10. Langham Hotel 香港朗庭酒店

Stay in Wan Chai or Central (center of the city)

In case you can’t find any hotel room around the museum or would like to experience another side of the city, you might want to check out some of the following hotels along Central and Wan Chai areas. Both districts are the most popular areas for visitors. There are plenty of hotel options and you can hop on either the iconic Star Ferry or subway to reach Tsim Sha Tsui.

Best Hotel options along Wan Chai area:

1. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong 香港君悅酒店
2. The St. Regis Hong Kong 瑞吉酒店
3. Renaissance Harbour View Hotel 香港萬麗海景酒店
4. The Fleming Hotel 芬名酒店
5. Gloucester Luk Kwok Hotel 六國酒店

Best Hotel options along Central/Admiralty area:

1. JW Marriott Hotel 香港JW萬豪酒店
2. Island Shangri-La 港島香格里拉大酒店
3. The Murray 香港美利酒店
4. Conrad Hong Kong 香港港麗酒店
5. The Upper House 奕居
6. Four Seasons Hong Kong 香港四季酒店
7. Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong 香港文華東方酒店

If you prefer to check out hotels in other locations, you can start with where are the best places to stay.

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What are the Opening Hours and when is it the best time to visit Hong Kong Museum of History?

The official opening hours of Hong Kong Museum of History are:

• 10:00pm – 6:00pm (Mon, Wed – Fri)
• 10:00am – 7:00pm (Sat, Sun and public holiday)
• 10:00am – 5:00pm (Christmas Eve and Lunar New Year’s Eve)

The museum is closed on Tuesdays (except public holidays) and the first 2 days of the Lunar New Year

So, when is the best time to visit? First things first. In case you plan to visit one of the special exhibitions, you should plan ahead. In the past, many of these special exhibitions have been very popular. Due to their popularity you should prepare to stand inline and that it can get crowded. Try to avoid weekends and public holidays. Therefore, the best time to visit is during the week.

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Where is the location of Hong Kong Museum of History?

The Hong Kong Museum of History is conveniently located in East Tsim Sha Tsui (100 Chatham Road South).

The museum is situated just opposite Hong Kong Museum of History. You easily can visit another museum highlight back-to-back.

Having said that Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) is one of the major sightseeing and tourist hotspots. The excellent location of the Museum of History makes it very easy to visit other top sightseeing attractions. Within walking distant you have plenty of choices. The Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade is not too far away.

Popular attractions such as e.g. the Avenue of Stars, the nightly Symphony of Light and Laser Show, the iconic Star Ferry, the Clock Tower, the Hong Kong Space Museum, Hong Kong Museum of Art or the Hong Kong Cultural Centre can be found here. It is also the spot where the popular Victoria Harbour cruises start. Plus here you can enjoy stunning and spectacular views of Hong Kong’s magnificent skyline.

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How to get to Hong Kong Museum of History?

The most convenient way to get to Hong Kong Museum of History is to take Hong Kong’s MTR subway. Take the subway to the East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station and take Exit P2 (this subway exit is closest to the museum). It’s an approx. 10 minutes walk. The Museum of History is situated right next to Hong Kong Museum of History. Alternatively, you can travel to the Tsim Sha Tsui station and take Exit E. There are several signs leading you the way.

Alternatively, you can travel to the Hung Hom MTR station and take Exit D1. Walk along Cheong Wan Road and then Science Museum Road. It will lead you directly to Hong Kong Museum of History and Hong Kong Museum of History.

In case you are staying in the Wan Chai or Central area on Hong Kong Island, you can also hop on one of the Star Ferries. The Star Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui is not too far away from the museum. Walking along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront promenade is one of the city’s highlight. Watch and enjoy how the city’s magnificent skyline enfold along Victoria Harbour.

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