THE 10 BEST Hong Kong History Museums
History Museums in Hong Kong
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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Military Museums • Speciality Museums
Hong Kong Island
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Kowloon
History Museums
Hong Kong Island
Speciality Museums • Children's Museums
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Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Ancient Ruins • History Museums
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Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Points of Interest & Landmarks • History Museums
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Speciality Museums • History Museums
History Museums
History Museums
What travellers are saying
- Dan LBunbury, Australia9,016 contributionsClosed when we visited in 2023 and in 2024 it featured the "PRC 75 years Glorious Voyage", or the "Splendid Achievements of the People's Republic of China in its 75 years, the emphasis being on the National Security Exhibition Gallery. It was overall a very interesting exhibition featuring space and the Hall of Fame of brave astronauts, a robot dog, miniature versions of icebreakers, submersibles, aircraft, militaria, and more. Very interesting and guides very helpful.Written 14 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Roving475504443471 contributionWonderful experience, a good chance to understand the history of old Hong Kong. Fat gor is very nice to share with us many interesting stories.Written 12 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Abovetheclouds2,488 contributionsI really enjoyed this. Entrance is free for the permanent exhibitions. It was also free for the special exhibitions. I am not sure if this is always the case. Go to Admiralty MTR and connect to the East Rail Line. Alight at Sha Tin (EXIT A3). The museum is around a 10-minute walk from there. Easy to navigate. Two main floors to see. The ground floor just had a gift shop, seminar room, catering outlet and those sorts of things. I started with the second floor which was the best for me. This included Chinese Art and a gallery dedicated to the life and career of the Hong Kong icon, Bruce Lee (outside the museum, there is a huge statue of him). The first floor included a Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall and a tribute to the passing of genius James Wong. James Wong was a renowned cultural figure in Hong Kong. Information is in English as well. Very interesting without being overloaded with information. I particularly enjoyed the Bruce Lee gallery, where some 400 invaluable items of Bruce Lee's memorabilia were on display. Pretty cool. I loved the Chinese Art as well. Really good. I spent just over an hour in there, but you can easily spend longer depending on your interests. Staff are pleasant and friendly. Clean. It wasn't that busy and I am guessing this is due to location as it isn't as central as other museums. I would recommend going. It really didn't take that long to get there.Written 30 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- marymary27Scarborough, UK947 contributionsHong Kong is a busy and tiring city to visit, especially for the solo traveller. I spotted this museum down by the jettys and thought a visit would take me back to my ‘comfort zone’, which it did. The day I visited there was a special event mainly for children, with free entry for everyone. I actually started by going to the cafe, which is on the top floor, and run by a charity which employs people with learning disabilities. I had a coffee and sat outside, with pleasant views all around. Then spent some time looking round the museum. The museum is well set out, lots of interesting exhibits with clear explanatory panels, some aimed at children. There is a small shop, which I think could be usefully expanded and with more items would bring in more income.Written 6 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nomad602523598181 contributionThere are LOTS of equipment like guns, uniforms, shells and even vehicles like the Comet 1 for a example. 8 or 9 exibits mostly inside but the torpedos and cannons are outside. Also look out for the pigeon statuesWritten 15 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- OntarioTraveler9Burlington, Canada956 contributionsI like the architecture and the design of the museum. It is also great to be able to see the artifacts right in Hong Kong. There is also a discount for seniors to buy the admission tickets.Written 3 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Grace Annette C YNew York City, NY1,021 contributionsIt is a nice little space that contains lots of archeological artifacts and simple write ups of those findings.
The museum/cultural center is “tucked in” at one side of a local park, near some kiddy dinosaur exhibit.
The inside of the museum is very organized and beautifully lit.
Children friendly exhibits allow everyone to pull the drawers to see some pieces up close through bullet proof glass. There is one room with tempered glass floor and some antique pieces beneath the glass floor. It is all very cool and informative.Written 6 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BradHong Kong, China181,056 contributionsThe Jao Tsung-I Academy is a hillside compound of heritage buildings along Castle Peak Road in Lai Chi Kok that were revitalised by the HK Institute for Promotion of Chinese Culture (HKIPCC) and named after the late prominent scholar Jao Tsung-I.
The academy was opened to the public in phases between 2012-14 and now features three hillside levels of Grade 3 protected historic buildings that function as a museum with exhibition galleries, activity centre, restaurant, coffee shop and even a hotel. The outdoor grounds are open from 8am to 10pm daily, exhibition halls are open from 10am to 6pm daily. No entry fee required.
The lower level is where you find the Main Gallery which is a testimony to the life and scholarly works of Jao Tsung-I. There is also a Heritage Hall where you can learn about the history of the area and buildings which date back to the late 19th century when a Qing Dynasty Customs house was located here. Later buildings, including those you see today, served as a labourers' quarters, prison, quarantine station, infectious disease hospital and lastly a psychiatric rehab centre which was eventually closed in 2004. There is a statue of Jao Tsung-I and a small but beautiful lotus pond here.
The second level is where you find a series of buildings including another exhibition hall, presently presenting information about Chinese language characters, activity rooms, Hope of Joy restaurant and Coffeeflow. Continuing to the third level, you will find the Heritage Lodge. There are public toilets on each level as well as a series of lifts for those unable to walk up the stairs between levels and guests of the hotel with luggage.Written 11 May 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BradHong Kong, China181,056 contributionsThis is restored Hakka village house and declared monument in the Chai Wan area of the Hong Kong Island. Built in the mid-18th century and belonging to the Law Uk family, the property provides glimpse into the architecture and everyday life at what was once a major Hakka settlement. Now the building serves as a minor museum (free entry) for those who visit this area of the city and have interest in local history.
The grounds include the restored house which has five indoor rooms, several including displays of historic furnishing, farm equipment, ceremonial and other items from the past. There are information panels outside the museum in the small courtyard providing some history of the Hakka people, their village lives before and then during the British colonial period, customs and festive ceremonies, building architecture and details about the family who owned this particular house in the past.
There is also an annex property on the museum grounds as well, it is built in the same manner as the historic Law Uk house. It was closed when we passed by recently.
Overall, it is good that the government restores and protects historic properties and puts them to good use like what you will find with the Law Uk Folk Museum in Chai Wan. It makes for a good place to spend 20-30 minutes if you find yourself in the area. However, if you are real history buff, it is better to visit the Hong Kong Museum of History, where you will find similar displays and learning opportunity regarding the Hakka people and other Chinese ethnic groups that have roots here in Hong Kong.Written 11 October 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lynns98816682 contributionsThis is a complementary for people who wait for the tram. You can see the history of the peak tram. It only takes 5 minutes to see this.Written 14 March 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- schmidtmgSwitzerland1,146 contributionsIt was interesting to juxtapose the exhibits in 2019 (in the middle of the protests, when these were not yet included in the exhibits) and in spring 2023. The 2019 protests, the NSL of July 2020 and the Covid pandemic are addressed, but very briefly and without hardly any commentary... it is indeed a bit reflective of the political changes in Hong Kong since 2019....Written 2 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BradHong Kong, China181,056 contributionsCLP Pulse is the newest museum in Hong Kong. It is located in the Grade I Historic CLP Clock Tower situated along Argyle Road just next to Kadoorie Hill. The museum is open from 10am to 6pm (Tues, Wed and Fri - Sun), closed on Mondays and Thursdays. Entry is free.
There are three main exhibitions along with historic information about the architecture and history of the CLP Clock Tower building itself. The ground floor is dedicated to the ElectriCity exhibition which showcases Hong Kong's history of electricity foundation and evolution, highlighting the role CLP played in establishing electricity in HK and how electricity shaped the growth of the city during the 20th century. There are also dedicated sections which focus on clean and green electricity and Hong Kong's plans to become a carbon neutral city by 2050.
The displays are sometimes fairly texty but you can move along at whatever pace you are comfortable with and there are interactive displays wit screens you can use as well to help keep things from going stale. The Connect the World to a Brighter Future - Immersive Experience room in particular is quite impressive. It is a full room programme that is well worth watching as part of your visit.
The upstairs is dedicated to two exhibitions. These include 'Our Home Our History' which focuses on the role of the Kadoorie Family and contributions they made to both Shanghai and Hong Kong. The second upstairs exhibition called 'Traces of Human Touch' presents a history of heritage industries in Hong Kong, allowing visitors to learn about past livelihoods of Hongkongers who worked in apparel, footwear, ornaments, decorations, furniture building, print, musical instruments and the likes. This exhibition highlights efforts by the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) office. Displays are similar to what you can see at the Sam Tung Uk Museum in Tsuen Wan.
There is a cafe upstairs and if you walk through to the outdoor patio garden you can see a preserved 5th generation Peak Tram car which was in service from 1989-2021. These have now been replaced by the new 6th generation trams that went into service last year.
Overall, the new CLP Pulse is a good speciality museum and experience if this is a topic of interest. Everything is new and in very good working order presently. You can leisurely visit and see all in 45-60 minutes time. Visit the CLP Pulse website directly for more information.Written 27 June 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BradHong Kong, China181,056 contributionsThis is an interesting heritage centre that makes use of a Grade 3 historic school building in the heart of the Tai Hang neighbourhood. The Centre is open from 10am to 6pm (Tues to Sat), closed on Monday. You will find a small exhibition gallery on the ground floor with some very interesting models depicting the unique Fire Dragon Parade and celebration that takes place each year in the Tai Hang neighbourhood around Mid-Autumn Festival.
There are are few items of interest relating to the old school itself and a bit of interesting history to learn about the Tai Hang neighbourhood and culture of the Hakka people who originally settled in this location. Information is in Cantonese and English and there are friendly staff members on hand who will gladly answer any questions you might have about the displays or the special Fire Dragon Parade event itself. Upstairs there is a traditional local restaurant that serves Hakka style dishes as well.Written 9 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.