The Hong Kong Heritage Museum sits in Sha Tin in the New Territories, beside the Shing Mun River. Its building follows the plan of a traditional Chinese courtyard compound, with rooms around a central open court. The galleries cover the history, art and everyday culture of Hong Kong and the wider South China region. The Bruce Lee showcase draws many visitors, while the Cantonese opera hall and the Chinese art collections reward a slow walk. Admission to the exhibitions is free.
The building and its setting
The museum is in Sha Tin, beside the Shing Mun River and about a three-minute walk from Che Kung Temple MTR Station. The building follows the layout of a traditional Chinese siheyuan, a compound with a central courtyard enclosed by buildings on all four sides.
The exhibition space covers around 7,500 square metres. The museum opened in 2000 and operates under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is not far away, so the two can be combined on one trip to Sha Tin.
Galleries on Chinese arts and local traditions
The Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall is built around a reconstructed bamboo theatre. Recordings of older operas are shown with English subtitles, and the hall displays costumes and accessories donated by well-known opera singers.
The New Territories Heritage Hall recreates traditional village life with mock-up villages. The Chao Shao-an Gallery shows traditional Chinese art.
The T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art holds ceramics, pottery and bronzes. Its Chinese Buddhist art section includes many Buddha statues, sculptures of Guanyin, tangka paintings and other historical objects. One display follows how pottery techniques and colouring changed from one era to the next.
The Bruce Lee and Jin Yong galleries
The Bruce Lee showcase pairs multimedia displays with more than 400 items, including posters and memorabilia. A yellow jumpsuit linked to the film Game of Death is among the displays. Photography and video are not allowed in this gallery, because of copyright restrictions.
The Jin Yong Gallery covers the life and work of Louis Cha, who wrote under the pen name Jin Yong. About 300 items illustrate his novels, and the display shows how the books were translated into several languages and adapted into films and drama series.
The museum also has galleries on Hong Kong popular culture from the post-war period to the early 2000s.
The Children's Discovery Gallery
The gallery is on the ground floor and is designed for children aged 4 to 10. It has eight play zones that cover local history, archaeology and nature.
One reconstructed area of the Mai Po Marshes lets children sort fish from shrimps, build birds that live in the wetland, wear animal masks and listen to the calls of egrets. Adults can follow the same displays alongside their children.
Practical arrangements
Admission to the galleries is free, and no ticket is needed. The museum has a restaurant and a souvenir shop. At the back of the T.T. Tsui Gallery, a stamping station offers commemorative stamps and small cards that visitors can keep as a souvenir.
The site has a wheelchair accessible entrance, elevator, restroom and parking lot, and it has changing tables for young children. Parking is paid.
FAQ
Is there an entry fee?
No. Admission to the exhibitions is free, and you do not need to buy a ticket for them.
How long do you need?
Two to three hours covers a few galleries at a relaxed pace. Seeing every gallery can take a full day.
Can you take photos inside?
Photography and video are not allowed in the Bruce Lee gallery because of copyright restrictions.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The Children's Discovery Gallery is designed for children aged 4 to 10 and has eight play zones.
