Attraction
Victoria Peak
Hong Kong Island's highest hill, reached by the historic Peak Tram from Central, with harbour views from Sky Terrace 428 and the level loop walk along…
Hong Kong Museum of Art
The city's main public art museum on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, with Chinese painting, calligraphy and Hong Kong art and free entry to its permanent galleries.
At a glance
- Type
- Art museum
- Area
- Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
- Opening
- Open 6 days a week (closed Thursday)
- Official site
- hk.art.museum
Good to know
- Free admission to permanent exhibitions
- Harbourfront location
- Late opening at weekends
Why we recommend it
The Hong Kong Museum of Art traces its roots to the City Hall Museum and Art Gallery, which opened in 1962. It moved to its present building on Salisbury Road in Tsim Sha Tsui in 1991, next to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Hong Kong Space Museum. It closed in 2015 for a renovation and expansion costing about HK$400 million and reopened in November 2019.
The collection runs to almost 20,000 items. Displays focus mainly on paintings, calligraphy and sculpture from Hong Kong, mainland China and elsewhere. Exhibitions rotate, and the museum also runs the Hong Kong Contemporary Art Biennial Awards, which have supported local artists since the 1970s. In 2025 it welcomed about 1.7 million visitors.
Admission to the permanent galleries is free, while some special exhibitions charge. The museum is open from 10am to 6pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and until 9pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. It is closed on Thursdays, except public holidays, and on the first two days of the Lunar New Year, and closes at 5pm on Christmas Eve and Lunar New Year's Eve. The box office closes 30 minutes before the museum.
Allow two hours, or longer if a special exhibition is on. The museum is a good choice for a hot afternoon or a rainy day, and the late weekend opening means you can combine it with an evening on the waterfront promenade. It suits art lovers, students and families, and the official website shows real-time crowd levels so you can avoid the busiest times.
The museum is run by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and is covered by the Museum Pass, which can be good value if you plan to visit several of the city's public museums. Special opening arrangements around holidays are posted on the museum's website.
Getting there is easy. Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station (exit E) and East Tsim Sha Tsui station (exit J) are both within walking distance, and the Star Ferry pier is a few minutes away, so you can cross from Central by boat. The museum also manages the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park, across the harbour in Central.
Hong Kong Museum of Art FAQs
Is the Hong Kong Museum of Art free?
Yes. Admission is free, except for some special exhibitions.
What are the opening hours?
10am to 6pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 10am to 9pm on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Which day is it closed?
It is closed on Thursdays, except public holidays, and on the first two days of the Lunar New Year.
When does the box office close?
The box office closes 30 minutes before the museum closes.
What is in the collection?
Almost 20,000 items, mainly paintings, calligraphy and sculpture from Hong Kong, mainland China and elsewhere.
How do you get there?
Walk from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR exit E or East Tsim Sha Tsui exit J, or take the Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui.
How long should you allow?
About two hours, more if a special exhibition is on.
What is nearby?
The Hong Kong Cultural Centre, the Hong Kong Space Museum and the Star Ferry pier.