Hong Kong's Treasures: 8 Must-Visit Museums
Where to Discover Hong Kong History, Art, and Culture?
There are plenty of cultural things to do in Hong Kong, which also include the city’s diverse collection of museums. Scattered across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories, these museums are a wonderful source of information on culture and natural history, art, science, and technology.
Centuries-old artifacts are often accompanied by modern and interactive displays, usually with detailed explanations in both English and Chinese. Some museums feature educational play zones for children, allowing them to learn more about the world through games and workshops. Check out our list of Hong Kong museums below, and you’re bound to find several that suit your fancy.
1. Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Center
Exploring Hong Kong’s rich past at a cultural landmark
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
The Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Center is a cultural museum for fans of history, providing detailed information about Hong Kong. Its permanent gallery has interesting exhibits on the changing face of transportation, as well as prehistoric artifacts found on archeological digs. To accompany the exhibits, the museum also has a lecture hall, educational activity rooms, and a reference library for those looking to learn more about Hong Kong.
Located in Kowloon Park, you can also walk around the surrounding green expanse before or after a tour through Hong Kong’s history and culture. Entry is free, so take advantage of this cultural treasure to learn more about Hong Kong.
Location: Haiphong Road, Kowloon Park, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Open: Monday–Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Phone: +852 2208 4400
Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Center
2. Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Stories and traditions in a charming setting by the river
Good for: Families, History
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum displays a mixture of art, culture, and history through dynamic and interactive exhibition programs. It covers 7,500 square meters of exhibition space, consisting of six permanent galleries and six thematic galleries.
Located next to Sung Min River, the building features traditional Chinese courtyard designs. If you’re visiting with kids, you’ll love the Children’s Discovery Gallery, where kids aged four to ten can explore eight learning zones, play with traditional toys, and participate in engaging theater programs. Read more
Location: 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Open: Monday and Wednesday–Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +852 2180 8188
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
3. Hong Kong Maritime Museum
Maritime history in a waterfront setting
Good for: Families, History, Photo
The Hong Kong Maritime Museum, though modest in appearance from the outside, offers a captivating exploration of the city’s maritime heritage. Located at Central Ferry Pier, this cultural attraction features over 1,000 artifacts displayed across 15 galleries.
Each section is filled with hands-on exhibits that engage and entertain visitors of all ages, making it particularly appealing for families with children. Take a moment to gaze through the museum’s second and third-story windows for stunning views of Victoria Harbour, which enhance the depth and relevance of the historical narratives you’ll discover. Read more
Location: Central Pier 8, 1 Man Kwong St, Central, Hong Kong
Open: Monday–Friday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm
Phone: +852 3713 2500
Hong Kong Maritime Museum
4. Hong Kong Museum of Art
Art and culture by the harbor
Good for: History, Photo
The Hong Kong Museum of Art showcases an impressive collection of over 19,000 artworks, featuring sculptures, paintings, tea ware, and calligraphy. Spanning 10,000 square meters, the museum includes twelve galleries and a restaurant and cafe with stunning views of Victoria Harbour.
The first floor serves as a versatile multi-function hall, hosting thematic exhibitions and cultural events that enrich the visitor experience. To enhance your visit, join a free guided tour; register for the tour and get a token at the meeting point outside the gallery 30 minutes before the tour starts, and collect your guided tour device there 10 minutes before it begins. Read more
Location: 10 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Open: Monday–Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Phone: +852 2721 0116
Hong Kong Museum of Art
5. Hong Kong Railway Museum
Discover Hong Kong’s railway heritage at a historic station
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Opened in 1985, Hong Kong Railway Museum, formerly the Tai Po Market Railway Station, displays passenger carriage models and locomotives from around the world. The main building, built in 1913, showcases indigenous Chinese architectural style, with many small figures decorating the exterior, as commonly found in existing old southern Chinese temples.
The museum features a waiting hall, an old ticket office, and many vintage photos of this area showing the early days of the station’s construction. Dive into the past and present of Hong Kong railways through engaging video and multimedia programs that make for a fun and educational experience.
Location: 13 Shung Tak Street, Tai Po Market, Tai Po, Hong Kong
Open: Monday and Wednesday–Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +852 2653 3455
Hong Kong Railway Museum
6. Hong Kong Science Museum
Diving into the wonders of science at a hands-on museum
Good for: Families, History
The Hong Kong Science Museum is a modern, interactive museum that is educational, enlightening, and a lot of fun for all ages. With over 500 exhibits housed within its 3-story building, the museum features many hands-on galleries where visitors can explore robotics, enjoy virtual reality, and experiment with communication through wires.
Discover the formation of Earth at the Earth Science Gallery, marvel at stunning fossils in the permanent exhibition, or delve into ecosystems at the Biodiversity Gallery. Don’t miss the 22-meter-tall twin-tower Energy Machine, which, when activated, produces spectacular audiovisual effects showcasing various forms of energy. Read more
Location: Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Open: Monday–Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Phone: +852 2732 3232
Hong Kong Science Museum
7. Sam Tung Uk Museum
A living heritage site
Good for: History, Photo
Sam Tung Uk Museum preserves a rural walled village of the same name, which dates back to the 18th century. The Hakka village once housed as many as 300 Chan family members during that time period.
The living museum features an ancestral hall, a lecture hall, and two rows of traditional homes complete with period furniture, handicrafts, and farming tools. There’s also a modern gallery with interactive displays and videos about the rural lifestyle, food, and traditional crafts of Hakka people in Hong Kong. Explore the engaging exhibits to enhance your understanding of the Hakka heritage.
Location: 2 Kwu Uk Lane, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong
Open: Wednesday–Monday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Phone: +852 2411 2001
Sam Tung Uk Museum
8. Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum
Ancient artifacts at a historic tomb site
Good for: History, Photo
The Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into history with its gallery displaying pottery and bronze items from the Eastern Han dynasty (25–220 AD). The museum is next to the 4-chamber brick tomb, which was discovered in 1955.
The actual tomb is closed off to the public for preservation. However, you can view part of its interior through a glass panel at the entrance, offering a unique peek into ancient times. Located on Tonkin Street, the museum is 350 meters northeast of the MTR Cheung Sha Wan Station. After the visit, enjoy a serene stroll in the Han Garden next to the museum.
Location: 41 Tonkin Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong
Open: Friday–Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Phone: +852 2386 2863
Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum
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