One of the top museums in town and also free of charge for its permanent exhibits, Hong Kong Museum of History chronicles 400 million years of this island's history. That is indeed a massive amount of time to explore and understand. Spread across eight galleries, this bi-level repository is like stepping on a time-travel machine. Dioramas, multimedia exhibits and graphic panels give insight into the topography, nature, culture, history and growth of Hong Kong. With thousands of objects creating a storyline that is exciting and engaging, there is probably no other museum in the city that is as comprehensive as the Hong Kong Museum of History. They also have special exhibitions at times. However they have an entrance fee to it.
One of Hong Kong's oldest theme parks, Ocean Park also holds the distinction of being one of Asia's biggest theme parks. Boasting to take up the size of about 174 football fields, this massive parkland has something for everyone! A hodgepodge of an oceanarium, amusement park, marine park, and animal park, it is spread across two zones: the summit and the waterfront. These are further segregated into thematic areas. For the wildest rides, such as The Flash, The Mine Train, and Raging River, The Summit is the place to go. It is also where you will find the Polar Adventure. Get to know animals from both the poles of the earth. Meet the adorable giant pandas at The Waterfront. This is where all the fun lies. Furthermore, get up close to marine mammals in this part of the park. Fun, educational, and exciting, Ocean Park will keep you wanting for more. The timings differ seasonally, so please check the website.
Influenced by the Tang-style landscaping layout, the Nan Lian Garden is probably the only one of its kind in the city. This beautiful oasis, characterized by verdure and glistening ponds, is indeed a wonderful place to stroll. The tea house and snack houses offer refreshments for park visitors. The rockery and the Buddhist temple of the "Pavilion of Absolute Perfection" are some of the major highlights of the garden. It also has venues on hire for special occasions. The vegetarian restaurant on-site is quite popular as well.
Perched atop a hill in the Sha Tin district of Hong Kong, Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is the labor of love of Yuet Kai, a Buddhist who dedicated his life to this iconic temple. First founded in 1933, the temple was constructed over the course of 24 years, with the last Buddha placed in 1957. The temple complex is remarkable, but it's the walk up that is the true visual treat. Thousands of Buddha statues, each one unique, line the path to the monastery, each begging a closer inspection. The monastery is the final resting place of Yuet Kai. If you've worked up an appetite, the monastery's vegetarian restaurant offers reasonably priced healthful cuisine with all profits going towards temple's maintenance.
Victoria Park is one of Hong Kong Island's largest parks and has a statue of Queen Victoria near the entrance. This waterfront park offers a panoramic vista of the ocean and surrounding skyscrapers. In the morning, early risers gather here for walking, jogging and practicing martial arts like Tai Chi. Facilities such as tennis courts and swimming pools are open to the public for a small fee. On special occasions like the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Chinese New Year, this park dons a festive look and is packed to the brim with ebullient children and adults. Victoria Park is also the site of important art and political events.
This new museum of history, art, and culture is the largest of its kind in Hong Kong. Located in Sha Tin, New Territories, this expansive museum is a treasure trove and will take you on a journey through the city's past and present. The museum boasts an extensive collection of exhibits that encompass various aspects of Hong Kong's cultural heritage. These include displays on Chinese folk art, traditional customs, festivals, craftsmanship, and more. To make the visit engaging for all ages, here you will be offered interactive displays and multimedia presentations. You can also participate in hands-on activities, view multimedia installations, and even enjoy immersive virtual experiences.
This charming Chinese-styled building, with its simple pitched-roof structure, gable ends and moldings, was built in 1912-1913 and opened as Hong Kong's first post office in 1915. After more than 80 years of service for the bustling Wanchai community, the building is now a declared monument. It is also the home of the Resource Centre of the Environmental Protection Department, which opened its doors to the public in December 1993. The aim of the centre is to provide public education on all matters environmental, and admission is free of charge.
Located in shop G3 in the Chinachem Hollywood Centre on Hollywood street, Connoisseur Art Gallery features many diverse styles of paintings. It aims to popularize contemporary Chinese artists like Ran Jie and Jia Juanli but also exhibits internationally acclaimed Swedish artist Dorina Mocan. Because of the gallery's popularity, works featured here will soon become famous, making this a perfect place for up-and-coming artists to show off their work. Its shows best illustrate the variety and vigor of Chinese paintings. Visitors who enjoy Chinese paintings will definitely find Connoisseur interesting.
Hidden by the adjacent stone walls of King George V Memorial Park, Above Second is a uniquely international exhibition space in local-heavy Sai Ying Pun. Founded in 2010 by resident artists Jasper Wong and partner May Wong, Above Second puts their focus on "New Contemporary" art inspired by illustration, pop-culture, photography, graffiti, murals and other alternative styles of street art that have gained a following in the modern art scene. International artists flock to Above Second to decorate the plain white walls that make a return before every exhibition, designs and tags bursting out from the plate glass gallery facade. The artists featured at Above Second are top-notch talents, many of them native Hong Kongers.
Lantau is the biggest of all the outlying islands, almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island. Although the new town of Tung Chung next to the airport is bringing more people to Lantau, the island is still largely unspoilt and undeveloped. The general atmosphere is tranquil with many hiking trails snaking across the rugged peaks. Some of the interesting sites worth visiting here are the Trappist Haven Monastery, Po Lin Monastery, Tung Chung Fort, Tai O, Hong Kong Disneyland, Ngong Ping Piazza, Discovery Bay, Lantau Peak and, Mui Wo and Silvermine Bay Beach.
The Sacred Heart Church is located on a small hill in Sai Kung, surrounded by lovely woods and local villages. The church was built in 1959 and was representative of the spread of Catholism in Hong Kong during the British colonial period, as the number of Catholics in Sai Kung increased remarkably from the 19th to the 20th century. Today the church is still a popular place which attracts many church members during masses and festivals. The outside wall is built of old red and blue bricks. On the center of the roof, there is a large cross made with stones and light bulbs, which makes the cross shine at night. Because of its history and beautiful architecture, the Sacred Heart Church is definitely worth visiting.
Blindspot Gallery is located near Hollywood Road, Central, just next to the famous bar street Lan Kwai Fong. As the name of the gallery explains, this gallery aims to popularize contemporary avant-garde Chinese photography, a great treasure that is often overlooked in today's art market. Blindspot's collection is mainly from Chinese photographers, but in recent years works of western photographers have also been introduced. All pieces of art here express the spirit of freedom, justice and hope. If visitors want to feel the power of the camera, Blindspot Gallery will not be a disappointment.