Hong Kong Heritage Museum

History museum · Hong Kong ·

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

History museum · Hong Kong ·

Museum of HK history, art, culture; Bruce Lee, opera, Jin Yong

Information

1 Man Lam Rd, Sha Tin, Hong Kong Get directions

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,699 Cities

"If you go to only one Hong Kong museum, this balanced and all-encompassing collection of the ancient and the new should be it. Five permanent exhibits include one on Han Dynasty pottery sculptures dating back more than 2,000 years as well as a gallery devoted to Cantonese opera, with a replica theater and period accoutrements, including hair accessories, robes, and dressing tables. Other exhibits focus on the popular martial arts novels of Jin Yong that were adapted into movies and TV series, with film clips and early manuscripts among the highlights. Other parts of the museum showcase the opium trade, British rule, and fine and decorative Chinese art, plus special exhibitions on subjects like Bruce Lee, with memorabilia and a documentary on his life."

What to Do in Hong Kong Now

Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism Board

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

@cntraveler

41,698 Postcards · 5,568 Cities

24 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

"Dedicated to Hong Kong’s history, art, and culture, Hong Kong’s Heritage Museum houses 11 different galleries that will transport you through various dynasties and artistic epochs, from the Cantonese opera exhibits to literature, photos, and masterful Chinese paintings. The Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall is particularly impressive, with life-size stage setups, colorful floral backdrops, and more than 30,000 artifacts from past performances—and don’t miss the ongoing Bruce Lee exhibition." - Kate Springer

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-hong-kong

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,699 Cities

Why It’s Time to Visit Hong Kong Now - AFAR

"A cultural institution that documents and celebrates local figures and histories—one exhibit traces the life and legacy of Bruce Lee—offering visitors historical context and curated storytelling even as some related historic sites (such as the martial artist’s former home) remain neglected or in flux." - Jennifer Flowers

https://www.afar.com/magazine/why-its-time-to-visit-hong-kong-now

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

@nomadicmatt

6,681 Postcards · 1,173 Cities

Visiting Hong Kong: 3-5 Day Suggested Itinerary (Updated 2025)

"I visit the Hong Kong Heritage Museum to explore the city’s artistic culture and history — it features a large exhibit on the New Territories, an opera house for performances, and sits near Sha Tin Park and the Shing Mun River, so the surrounding area is enjoyable as well." - Matthew Kepnes

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-days-in-hong-kong/

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

@nomadicmatt

6,681 Postcards · 1,173 Cities

The 23 Best Things to See and Do in Hong Kong in 2025

"I follow up history visits with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Sha Tin because it blends Hong Kong’s cultural history and art — there’s a strong exhibit on the New Territories, an on-site opera house, and a picturesque location near Sha Tin Park and the Shing Mun River; it’s at 1 Man Lam Rd, open Monday and Wednesday–Sunday 10am–6pm (7pm weekends), with free general admission." - Matthew Kepnes

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/things-to-see-and-do-hong-kong/

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Taka H.

Google

You can see the permanent Bruce Lee exhibition on the third floor. Admission is free. This permanent Bruce Lee exhibition alone is worth the trip. I only saw his movies a few times as a child, but I found myself wanting to learn more about him.

Jenson C.

Google

Nice place, free to visit and small crowd. Good range of exhibits across 3 floors and a nice cafe as well as gift shop to boot. Near a shady walking trail. Good for 3-5 hours!

x-tina

Google

Opened in December 2000, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is a public museum of history, art and culture located in Sha Tin, beside the Shing Mun River. We recently saw the special exhibition “A Man Beyond the Ordinary: Bruce Lee” and it was super. - Educational - Well maintained - Recommended to those who is interested in the history of Hong Kong

Li C.

Google

The Bruce Lee exhibition is so nice. Good for people who want to know more about HK culture. And it is FREE ! Not too many people so good for people who what to know for about HK local history:) Enjoy.

Philip T.

Google

Amazing collection of Hong Kong cultural artifacts! I was so pleasantly surprised by the quality of the materials and presentations. I especially love the Bruce Lee hall and the 金庸 exhibits. Free admission and very easy to get to via rail / subway.

Grace

Google

Easy access with bus stop right in front of the building and there’s plenty of carpark. Free admission. Interesting exhibitions from traditional art to more modern forms.

W L.

Google

This museum is very underrated, when I visited there was so little visitors, it also happened to be a Wednesday so I don’t need to pay to enter. I enjoy the Cantopop section the most, reliving my childhood memories

Deepa S.

Google

Went there quite late in the evening. It’s a nice walk from the MTR to the building. The building itself isn’t very impressive but the exhibits are. With only an hour to go, I went straight to the Bruce Lee exhibition. Found his personality quite endearing going through his philosophies and personal letters. On the way out and with little time left, got a peek off what seemed to be and exhibition of Chinese artifacts.

Peter H.

Yelp

My second review in Hong Kong happens to be another establishment concerning history through the eyes of artists, this time with an emphasis on music, film, and literature. If you are familiar with any of Hong Kong's offerings over the years, a visit to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is a must. To get there, ride the MTR to Che Kung Temple station and take Exit A. It was a rainy weekday in mid-May when I visited. Clear signages showed the path towards the museum, a large, somewhat imposing orange and red-bricked building. The exhibit I wanted to check out first was "Timeless Diva - Anita Mui" which showcased a collection of records from the famed songstress, a number of which were autographed. Other items on display included a selection of her concert outfits, magazine covers, and a rotation of video clips showing her singing prowess, quick-witted banter, and diverse acting chops. At one point, an announcement was made for the opportunity to watch a documentary on Sam Hui. It turned out to be a delightful, self-narrated autobiography of the man's childhood days playing around Diamond Hill, the Hui brother's comedic endeavors, and the inner workings of his mind when composing songs. Did you know the opening of "半斤八兩" was inspired by Eagles' "One of These Nights"? After the movie, the large exhibition of music and film was next door. One recorded conversation on display worth mentioning was a talk regarding the current state of Hong Kong pop compared to that of K-pop, our current generation's obsession. As for the other parts of the museum, the "Jin Yong Gallery" consisted of all the wuxia author's literary works readily available to pick up and read as well as beautiful illustrations of the characters. Naturally, Bruce Lee's exhibit was magnetic and powerful, which included personal photographs throughout his life as well as his teachings. There was also an emphasis on 3D models of his likeness for an immersive experience. Didn't really impress me too much, but I did appreciate the intent. There was a lot to explore and plenty I probably missed by lingering too long on select areas. I spent a whole afternoon here and would gladly do it again.

Vivian C.

Yelp

Fun times! You can learn a lot in this museum and even if you didn't, it's fun to just look around and take in the culture. There's a lot of interactive activities too! I also would pay extra for the special exhibits they were pretty neat! The gift shop also had a lot of cute stuff.

Nicole N.

Yelp

If you're into pop culture, this is the museum to visit!! Honestly HK has so many museums, each with its own flavor, but this museum features topics/themes that people are more familiar with such as HK's entertainment industry history, Bruce Lee, Jin Yong's popular martial art stories, Cantonese opera, and others. As a museum nerd, I was drawn by a visiting exhibition on ancient Chinese women and their daily life (as most history records focus on men). Although tucked in the northern New Territories in Sha Tin area, this museum is actually accessible by 3 different MTR stations and other minibus/buses. It was actually so much bigger than I thought! Loved how everything had great descriptions (in both Chinese and English). Tickets are pretty cheap and definitely worth it because I could easily spend 2-3 hours here!

Esther C.

Yelp

Eye-opening Very informative Friendly the service Traffic control is excellent I will be back for more exhibition

Angel H.

Yelp

My husband is a huge Bruce Lee fan. They were featuring an exhibit on Bruce Lee, so my husband wanted to check it out. This place is out of the tourist area and a little hard to find. Luckily, my uncle who lives nearby, took us. This museum has four levels, if I remember correctly. They feature a different exhibition on each floor. The day that we went, it was packed. A lot of people were there to see the work of Claude Monet. I don't know too much about him but my uncle said that he's a famous artist. There's a small entrance fee to get in. It's $10HK for the general exhibitions and free on Wednesdays. The Bruce Lee exhibit is on the top floor. I snapped a picture inside the exhibit and was told that pictures were not allowed. I wasn't the only one. A few people got busted for taking pics lol. They need to put a bigger sign by the entrance. The exhibit featured some of the equipment that he used and some clothing items. It also told of his life story, and how he got into martial arts and movies. A few of his hand written poems were on display. He was great at writing poems. I thought that he was born in Hong Kong, but he was actually born in San Francisco. His parents were from Hong Kong and were both theater actors. They traveled and performed at different locations. That led to him being born in SF. After we were done with the Bruce Lee exhibit, we went next door to see the Chinese artifacts. They had pottery and jade from the ancient times. They also had different sculptures. Some of the pieces are thousands of years old. It was a good experience just taking in some of the Chinese culture.

Bobby W.

Yelp

For a museum located in Sha Tin, for Hong Kong, it's a out of the way, not touristy area of the island, this place is fantastic. If you are a Bruce Lee fan, this goes beyond 5 stars for you. The Bruce Lee exhibit was excellent, movie props, replica sets, interviews from his co-stars, some of the sections were books from his own collection. There was even the tool he use to practice his eye pokes made by James Lee (you have to be a huge Bruce Lee fan to understand this one) on exhibit. I geeked out crazy. Another section was borrowed from a gent from San Francisco. He has the most extensive Bruce Lee stuff collection ever: books, magazines, posters, film, toys, Kato action figures, the works on display. There was also a section of the museum showcasing arts and antiques from China. It was donated by some rich big wig who had more money than he knew what to do with, and when he passed away, boom, the museum was now the rich big wig. They had jade and statues going back a thousand years in fantastic condition. It was a sight to see works of art from the 1100's and explain to my son that these are not Chinese, these are from our Mongol oppressor's works of art. Lastly, and the most geek out moment I had was from the Jin Yong exhibit. Jin Yong is an author of many novels of the Wuxia genre. Hundreds of other books, comics, movies, video games and Asian drama series has been based on his work. If you are a fan, this exhibit would be a real treat.

Bernard Y.

Yelp

This 'heritage' museum is really good at picking exhibition topics that may not have direct relevance to Hong Kong heritage. BUT it is still worth 4 stars because they manage to find topics that are appealing to the mass audience: Hayao Miyazaki, Pixar, Claude Monet etc. are all good crowd pleasers, and the main stay exhibition until 2018, Bruce Lee exhibition, manages to align with both Hong Kong heritage AND attract interest! That is actually a great strategy to bring in crowds that would otherwise not come in for the smaller exhibitions that they run concurrently. So props to the curators and marketers behind the museum for bringing it to relevance in the mainstream. What's not mainstream is its location. Shatin is up in the New Territories and usually not the first spot tourists see in their travel guides, but Hong Kong really isn't that big and a trip from Central by train will take you 30 mins plus a 10min walk. I do think the museum is interesting enough to make a trip to, and while you are in Shatin you can check out the Thousand Buddhas Monastery. Go Google that one, it looks pretty darn cool. Thousand Instagram Likes for you. Another couple from the museum and you could become the next popular online wanderluster from your posts on 'underrated Hong Kong sites'. Tickets are cheap too. HKD 20 per exhibition, or HKD 10 depending on day of the week or if you have special status such as student, elderly, disabled etc. I saw the Claude Monet exhibition at normal adult price of HKD 10 on a Sunday! Some of the smaller galleries are often free as well.

Ling Y.

Yelp

I've been to the heritage museum before with other people who took us there. This time I went with my mum and her friend and we got lost finding it from the train station lol at least I am increasing my steps on my Fitbit!! Ha ha It costs $10 (£1) to enter which I found is mega cheap!! It's $5 for seniors!! This year until 2018, they have the Bruce Lee exhibition and documentary film included in the entry fee! You get to see photos of Bruce Lee, his handwritten scripts, costume, film sets etc plus other Bruce lee memorabilia like comics etc. If you are a fan then go!! It's interesting and you get to see and understand why he did in his short life. Shame you can't take photos inside.

Danimal D.

Yelp

Gosh....tough place to review. it really isn't TOO far from Central...but about 30 minutes or so with a 10 minute walk by the water. This place is also known as the "Bruce Lee" museum...and really is the only reason I went. One of the last few "touristy" things I had not done on my frequent travels to HK....the building is very nice...and VERY empty. I'd say about 70% of the place is either unoccupied or under construction. The highlights were a 90 minute documentary on Bruce Lee, and a fairly substantial exhibit of his belongings and artifacts, (mostly on loan from his foundation/family). The entrance fee was $10 HKD ($1.25 USD) with your octopus card...and I would say worth a trip if you like Bruce...if not STRONG pass...at least until they fill the place up. Bruce stuff....5 stars...the rest...1...average 3!

L. K.

Yelp

There is so much more to do in Hong Kong than shopping! HK is a vibrant city with a rich and captivating culture. Go visit the HK Heritage Museum and wander around the remnants of New Territories or get fascinated by Tibet's sacred paintings. While The Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall will shed a light on the life of Cantonese opera artists. The centerpiece of the museum is of course the Bruce Lee exhibition! A must-visit if u're a Bruce Lee fan. The temporary exhibition (2013 - 2018) tracks Bruce Lee through his life, from his early years till he became a martial arts icon. Taking pics and video recording in the "Bruce Lee : Kung‧Fu‧Art‧Life" Exhibition Area are not allowed but u can always buy the hardcover catalogue (English and Chinese, 140 hk dollar / 16.8 €). The admission to the museum is only 10 hk dollar (1.2 €) and even free every wednesday, so no excuses allowed! P.S. The Che Kung Temple is just across the street so don't forget to make a quick stop.

Tim H.

Yelp

Ventured out here while staying in TST on my last trip. Came specifically to see the Bruce Lee exhibit. It lived up to my expectations as I am a big Bruce Lee fan. If you aren't, might not be worth it. Also liked the fashion exhibit and a decent restaurant to eat at in the museum. Easy to get here from TST via MTR and short walk. Don't be scared...you can figure it out.

Suanne C.

Yelp

Well, I've got no particular good feelings about the building... to me it is kind of awkward, just like the central library in Tin Hau. Both employed the post-modernistic approach to design, exploiting traditional architecture's ornamental / superficial characteristics but applying it in a scale that is out of proportion, on a modern building (taking reference on western architecture for Central Library, and taking reference from Chinese architecture for Cultural Museum) . The result is an embarrassing quasimodo, that looks strangely familiar yet somehow weird... Well, architectural critiques aside, I'm really impressed with the work of the curation team of the museum. The museum had never ceased to draw me all the way to Shatin for its unique exhibits. It collaborates with museums around the world to assemble touring exhibitions to Hong Kong. From the first days of 100 years of fashion, where you can see the original garments designed by masters & mega brands like Valentino, Channel, Lanvin; to exhibition on Bruce Lee; exhibition on local fashion design Eddie Lau focusing on his works for Anita Mui (a famous HK pop song singer in the 80s); the Pixer Animation exhibition; to the recent Ghibili Exhibition and exhibition on the history of chairs. All have an abundance of authentic artefacts and nicely done exhibition set up. Due to its large exhibition halls, it can afford to assemble physical objects of arts and crafts and display them in a way that is one step closer to how the international museums do. Indeed this place is one of the most vibrant exhibition scene in the book of me and my friend circles in the past few years, ever since its inauguration~

Isabelle S.

Yelp

The Bruce lee exhibition is free, pity that it focuses on his acting rather then on his martial arts... if you are a taequando fan, do not go. Staff is very nice and polite,

Ric T.

Yelp

This is a nice privately operated museum which was built by a wealthy philanthropist who bequeathed his personal collection, which included varied art and antiques from many of China's dynasties. One of the nice features is that everything is nicely lit. Aside from being free, they have other exhibitions that visit for a few months, the most recent one being about the life of Chinese American film star, Bruce Lee, who was born in Hong Kong. The show was very impressive with its large collection of family photos, film props, movie posters and videos of interviews with Lee's co-stars. Definitely worthwhile.

Jonathan R.

Yelp

While the museum was about as inexpensive as the Hong Kong History Museum, the experience wasn't nearly as organized or as thorough. Still, the quality of the artifacts were nice to look at and even the variety of modern art was good to look at for a few hours.

Yolanda Y.

Yelp

As a Shatin resident, I'm very familiar with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, in terms of its name and physical location. When I take the bus to or from Kowloon, the museum is one of the stops that it passes by. Yet actually as I remember, I'd just been to there maybe once or twice before Secondary School - contrary to what others said as the most frequently visited site for kindergarten or primary school students. I've had some fresh memories of the museum since three year ago when the famous Pixar exhibition took place there. It's a bit embarrassed to say that from my memory, Toy Story 3 should be the first Pixar film that I've ever watched, or that I've ever finished. Well I should've watched a short part of Finding Nemo but I can't recognise the characters now... so that shouldn't be counted. Okay let's go back to the exhibition, due to my enthusiasm towards Toy Story 3 after it was aired, I was excited to go to the exhibition with my friends. The exhibits were quite diverse - not only pain sketches and 2D posters, but also some film clips about the making process of the animated films, as well as some models of Aliens and Buzz - photo time! What surprised me was the decoration - even the stairs were embellished with carton scenes! The arrangement was nice generally and I started to love going there. The exhibitions in this museum are always popular comparing to other museums as the themes are easily understood and related to the culture nowadays. Apart from the Pixar one, those about Bruce Lee and Kayao Miyazaki also became people's weekend highlights. What's more, the admission fee is cheap indeed - just $20-30 for adults and around $10 for full-time students, so you're always enticed to pay a visit there. in the morning of weekdays is better since there'll be much fewer people. That means your mood won't be ruined because you'll hardly see the crowds at that period. It's an ideal place to spend your time here and immerse yourself into the cultural diversity.

Adrian C.

Yelp

One of my favorite museums in Hong Kong. The other favorite is the history museum. They have a variety of exhibits related to Hong Kong culture. The most notable being the Bruce Lee one. Definitely worth checking out. And free admission every Wednesday. Otherwise it's only HKD 10.

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,699 Cities

What to Do in Hong Kong Now

Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism Board

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

@cntraveler

41,698 Postcards · 5,568 Cities

24 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-hong-kong

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,699 Cities

Why It’s Time to Visit Hong Kong Now - AFAR

https://www.afar.com/magazine/why-its-time-to-visit-hong-kong-now

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

@nomadicmatt

6,681 Postcards · 1,173 Cities

Visiting Hong Kong: 3-5 Day Suggested Itinerary (Updated 2025)

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/four-days-in-hong-kong/

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

@nomadicmatt

6,681 Postcards · 1,173 Cities

The 23 Best Things to See and Do in Hong Kong in 2025

https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/things-to-see-and-do-hong-kong/

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Taka H.

Google

Jenson C.

Google

Nice place, free to visit and small crowd. Good range of exhibits across 3 floors and a nice cafe as well as gift shop to boot. Near a shady walking trail. Good for 3-5 hours!

x-tina

Google

Li C.

Google

Philip T.

Google

Grace

Google

Easy access with bus stop right in front of the building and there’s plenty of carpark. Free admission. Interesting exhibitions from traditional art to more modern forms.

W L.

Google

Deepa S.

Google

Peter H.

Yelp

Vivian C.

Yelp

Nicole N.

Yelp

Esther C.

Yelp

Eye-opening Very informative Friendly the service Traffic control is excellent I will be back for more exhibition

Angel H.

Yelp

Bobby W.

Yelp

Bernard Y.

Yelp

Ling Y.

Yelp

Danimal D.

Yelp

L. K.

Yelp

Tim H.

Yelp

Suanne C.

Yelp

Isabelle S.

Yelp

The Bruce lee exhibition is free, pity that it focuses on his acting rather then on his martial arts... if you are a taequando fan, do not go. Staff is very nice and polite,

Ric T.

Yelp

Jonathan R.

Yelp

Yolanda Y.

Yelp

Adrian C.

Yelp

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

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Postcards

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24 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

Why It’s Time to Visit Hong Kong Now - AFAR

Visiting Hong Kong: 3-5 Day Suggested Itinerary (Updated 2025)

The 23 Best Things to See and Do in Hong Kong in 2025

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24 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

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