THE 10 BEST Hong Kong History Museums
History Museums in Hong Kong
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Museums
Museums
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Travelers' 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 travelers across the globe.
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History Museums
New Territories
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Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Central
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Military Museums • Speciality Museums
Hong Kong Island
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Art Museums • History Museums
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Art Galleries • Art Museums
Kowloon
History Museums
Hong Kong Island
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Speciality Museums • Children's Museums
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Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
History Museums
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History Museums
New Territories
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Speciality Museums • History Museums
History Museums
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History Museums
History Museums
Ancient Ruins • History Museums
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What travelers are saying
- fire-tower3,099 contributionsThe permanent exhibits at the History Museum are closed for renovation, but there is currently a free exhibition on the Ancient Civilisation of the Xia,
Shang and Zhou Dynasties in Henan Province. We found it interesting going through this exhibition, to though not everyone may appreciate it. You can club this visit together if you intend to visit the Science Museum next door.Written July 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - SitesAndFoodCalifornia139 contributionsWent to see the Bruce Lee exhibit which was worth the trip. At the time there was also an Anita Mui exhibit and Jin Yong (learned about him while I was there).
There is also an exhibit that shows the mighty USD!Written May 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Anna G12 contributionsSmall but informative museum set in an old Hakka walled village. The staff were very helpful and enthusiastic. Worth a stop if you are interested in Hong Kong history, traditional livelihoods, architecture or Hong Kong's natural beauty. The short trail to the museum is also enjoyable and has many informational plaques about local plants and their uses.Written March 3, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Arthur MNottingham, UK280 contributionsWe had an afternoon to spare and went to the Maritime Museum without great expectations, but it turned out to be a really good museum. The models of early Chinese boats were different to anything we had seen elsewhere and the Engish/Chinese noticeboards were really informative. We learned a lot of history, including why the Opium Wars were so important to the English. Sorry not telling you. Visit and find out :-)
We spent two hours looking around the museum and would have spent longer if we had not already walked a lot that day.
The cafeteria above the museum has a separate entry and really deserves a mention. It had nice cakes (the cheesecake was good) and hot and cold drinks, as well as light meals and they give employment to young people with learning difficulties, who were working behind the counter and as servers. All were friendly and helpful. What a good scheme!
The museum is getting on for 15 minutes walk from the Metro/Tram, but there is a covered walkway with shops all along the route. We came back that way, but went by the ever cheap Hong Kong taxi to save our feet.Written July 7, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Paul HHong Kong, China7 contributionsFully open March 2024. Excellent museum with excellent views across the harbour. Much more than a museum focusing on Coastal Defence. Lots of exhibits outside and a pleasant walk to explore them, though quite a lot of slopes if that is a concern for you. Inside the museum itself, which is lift accessible from street level, the Asia Pacific War/WW2 displays do a great job of tailoring things to your level of interest. If you want to explore in depth they have done a great job of presenting eye witness accounts in numerous short video clips on all sorts of topics.Written March 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ronal26 contributionsBeautifully executed building (architecturally), and an interesting and immersive set of exhibitions all themed around the Qing and Ming dynasty eras.
If you are at all interested in cultural, artistic and/or historic experiences then make sure to visit. The exhibitions do change from time to time, so go with an open mind. The method of execution, artistry and information make the whole experience on par with the best around the world.
The curators have also ensured that you are able to see and experience an appropriate selection so that you can complete the visit in a few hours having seen everything at a relaxed pace (unlike other museums where you can never see it all as there is too much).
It is not the most convenient place to get to by public transport (specifically the MTR), local buses to go there but I was not game to try a local bus due to language barriers. Taxi or uber is probably the most convenient way to get to and from the museum.Written June 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ross MSydney, Australia258 contributionsThis is a must for anyone who wants to know more of HK's history, especially its history pre-British rule.
The archaeological displays extend back to neolithic times and are beautifully displayed and very well described (in English too).
More modern history is covered thoroughly and again well described.
Staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and entry is free.
It's currently (mid-November 2023) closed on Thursdays.Written November 12, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BradHong Kong, China174,707 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 May 11, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BradHong Kong, China174,707 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 October 11, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Lynns98816701 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 March 14, 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- schmidtmgSwitzerland1,089 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 May 2, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BradHong Kong, China174,707 contributionsThe Fa Pau Exhibition Hall is located just next to the historic Hau Kok Tin Hau Temple at Temple Plaza on the east side of the Tuen Mun River. It is open from 10am to 6pm (Tues - Sun) but closed on Mondays as well as the first two days of Chinese New Year.
If you are planning to visit the Tin Hau Temple you should include a brief stop here as well. Within the exhibition hall you will find three large scale Fa Pau (floral shrines) and learn about local traditions of creating these decorative paper shrines, their meanings and how they are paraded around the Temple Plaza just outside during the annual Tin Hau Festivities. There are a couple of video screens and a handful of information panels with Cantonese and English descriptions that help you understand what you are looking at. You can comfortably see everything in 10-15 minutes.Written January 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BradHong Kong, China174,707 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 June 27, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
