Hong Kong’s Top 10 : Heritage Museum

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Hong Kong’s newest museum, on the outskirts of Sha
Tin in the New Territories, is by far its best (although the revamped
History Museum in Kowloon is also worth a visit). Opened in 2000, the
Heritage Museum covers the culture, arts and natural history of Hong
Kong and the New Territories. Exciting audio-visual exhibits and a good
interactive section for children make for a fun day out.

  • 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, New Territories

  • 2180 8188

  • East Rail Line to Tai Wai, then bus 30K or 38K

  • KCR: Che Kung Temple, then a five-minute walk


  • www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk

  • 10am–6pm Mon, Wed–Sat, 10am–7pm Sun & public hols

  • Adm HK$10 (free Wed)


Hong Kong’s Earliest Settlers

The New Territories
History hall tells the scant story of Hong Kong’s original inhabitants.
Bronze Age people left behind axe and arrowheads in various parts of the
territory more than 4,000 years ago, along with some mysterious rock
carvings. Excavations on Lamma Island have turned up artifacts from an
older Stone Age civilisation, dating back about 6,000 years.






Museum entrance

Combine a visit to the museum with a trip to the races at Sha Tin if you can .


Admission to the Heritage Museum is free on Wednesdays.


There is a small café and gift shop in the lobby.


Top 10 Features

  1. Architecture and Design

    The Heritage Museum building is based on the traditional Chinese si he yuan style, built around a courtyard. The style is still visible in the walled villages of the New Territories .




  2. Orientation Theatre

    For
    a brief overview of the museum, visit the Orientation Theatre on the
    ground floor opposite the ticket office. A short film in English and
    Cantonese (in rotation) explains the exhibits and the main aims of the
    museum.

  3. Children’s Discovery Gallery

    The
    brightly coloured gallery is a vibrant, fun way to introduce children
    to local nature and archaeology, and the history of toys. Interactive
    exhibits and the child-size 3-D models are very popular with young
    children.

  4. Cantonese Opera Hall

    Cantonese
    opera is an obscure subject. However, the sumptuous costumes, intricate
    stage sets and snatches of song from the elaborate operas of Guangdong
    and Guanxi go some way to illustrating the attraction.




  5. Thematic Exhibitions

    Five
    halls on the first and second floors house temporary exhibitions
    focusing on subjects varying from popular culture, contemporary art and
    social issues in Hong Kong, to traditional Chinese art and history.

  6. Chao Shao-an Gallery

    The
    delicate ink on scroll paintings of artist and one-time Hong Kong
    resident Chao Shao-an are known far beyond China. There are dozens of
    fine examples in the gallery.

  7. Courtyard

    For fresh air and interesting surroundings, head to the shaded courtyard in the centre of the complex.




  8. New Territories Culture

    Large
    mock-ups of old maritime and village scenes recreate the pre-colonial
    days. The growth of the new towns, such as Sha Tin, are also covered.




  9. New Territories History

    The
    rich fauna and flora of the region are exhibited along with
    6000-year-old artifacts from the early days of human habitation in Hong
    Kong.

  10. TT Tsui Gallery

    The
    works of art dating from Neolithic times to the 20th century include
    porcelain, bronze, jade and stone artifacts, furniture, laquerware and
    Tibetan religious statues.