One of my children wanted to go here, so we did. My general thoughts:…read more- It's small. Only 3 floors, and a lot of written content. Not a lot of interactive content. - Most of the medical content is early high school level science - Some of the content that compares "western" and "eastern" science was interesting - The history of the building and the old medical equipment was probably the most interesting to me - for only $50 HKD to cover the entire family, it's not a big investment I like science, so it was mildly interesting. But it's not for everyone.

I'm an American expat who lives in this neighborhood. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I…read moream only now visiting this museum. My expectation was kind of a 3 going in, but definitely a solid 4 coming out. What makes this place a 4 on Yelp? 1) Although most likely only for a limited time, they have a special exhibition of "3D Human Body." Totally kid friendly and educational. Mostly all things in print on the walls (pictures and words), but interesting none the less. The exhibition ends with a small area that showcases the SARS outbreak of 2003 and how it was identified and eradicated. Kind of interesting as an outsider who was aware when this happened, but knew the global reach this had. 2) Dating back to 1906 as the Government Bacteriological Institute, how great to see an old building that has not been knocked down to build a residential complex. 3) Plague, SARS, bacterias, infectious diseases, epidemics, sanitation issues,...kind of gross, but also like a car wreck...you don't want to look, but you have to! The history or these kinds of outbreaks here in Hong Kong (actually right in this neighborhood!) over the last 100+ years is outlined and showcased here at this facility, where they once were focusing on research, public health improvements, medical advances, etc. 4) Zhang Yanzi is an artist who is from mainland China (represented by Ora-Ora gallery) who was on special display during my visit. Very cool, merging art and medicine, really great contemporary art that is a good fit on topic and size for the space of the museum. Kind of neat to have the old and the new of this museum merged under the same roof. 5) From the top floor to the basement, they have loads of old school medical equipment on display. From an operation table from 100 years ago to the original lab table they used, it is kind of cool that all this stuff was preserved. 6) This is not your average museum. It is small compared to many and definitely a unique topic, but really kind of cool. There are only around 30 medical museums on the planet. How cool that there is one right here in HK! For $20HKD per adult, you will learn something new. I did not expect to find this all so interesting, but I did.

My second review in Hong Kong happens to be another establishment concerning history through the…read moreeyes 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.

If you're into pop culture, this is the museum to visit!! Honestly HK has so many museums, each…read morewith 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!

The HK Museum of Art is one of the best museums to visit. It has a good size collection of classic…read moreand modern art. We especially loved the representation from local artist, amazing pieces capturing the history and richness of Hong Kong's past. The exhibits were well laid out and not overwhelming and offered a distinct and engaging experience. We also found out that the museums in HK are totally free thanks to an endowment. We would have paid for admissions tickets but it's really nice that they make art free for all. The next time you're in HK in the TST area, I highly recommend paying a stop at the Museum of Art.

Our second visit here. We decided to splurge on the Special Exhibit. Well worth it - and the view…read moreof Victoria Harbour/Kowloon Bay from the building is breathtaking. Recommended. PRO-TIP: Bring a shawl or jacket. The exhibition rooms are extremely cold.

I am a museum rat, so I seek stuff like this out on purpose, not by chance…read more I was not expecting much during my visit to the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre (HKHDC), but man was I blown away with the place. Not only located inside the beautiful Kowloon Park, this place is another free museum in a sea of inexpensive museum options around Hong Kong. So the first half of this exhibition is indeed a lot of things that are historically relevant to Hong Kong and Kowloon from over a span of 6,000 years, but just not interesting to me (pieces of broken plates, shattered cups, shards of utensils...all hundreds, if not thousands of years old). But in addition to the featured exhibition of Heritage Fiesta 2015 highlighting declared monuments and grades 1-3 historic buildings, there is a great permanent exhibition about the chinese, western and modern architecture and buildings of the area. Through old videos, oral interviews, research, photographs, you get a complete feel of the rich character and historical value of the buildings all around us. Not only does it showcase these buildings, it emphasizes excavation, conservation and knowledge throughout the HKHDC. Reuse and repurpose. I enjoyed hearing about the extensive conservation efforts to preserve the history of Hong Kong through its architecture and buildings where it can. The HKHDC is well done, current, up to date and seems fresh (versus some museums that can feel very dated). It is not so large that you could not buzz through in less than an hour, but there is extensive information and you could take it all in and visit much longer. There is a little vending machine spot, but no cafe on sight. The courtyard is lovely late in the day and worthy of a sit to take a breather and relax if you have the time.

My husband and I walked around Kowloon Park and then came upon the Heritage Discovery Centre. It…read morewas free and we were curious so we wandered around inside. One exhibit had just closed but the rest of the centre was open. It is amazing how much history Hong Kong has preserved. Looking at artifacts from thousands of years ago really shows how innovative humans were even then. One section showed how much the skyline of Kowloon and Hong Kong had changed over the past 60 or so years; it was drastic and fascinating. But my favorite part was the room with the glass floor feature thousands of piece of broken pottery. It is a must see! Overall, the centre is a nice (cheap) place to browse around and learn a bit about Hong Kong's history if you have an extra hour in your day.

I've visited this exhibit twice in my life now (more than a decade apart) and would go back with…read moreothers who want to learn more about Dr. Sun Yat Sen. The location is sort of difficult to reach as it is high up the hill especially if you have mobility issues or other restrictions that prevent walking easily. There is basically no other way to get here but by foot (of course after being either dropped off by taxi nearby or from the MTR Station at Central). The location used to be a mansion owned by a dear friend of Dr. Sun Yat Sen but had been bought and renovated to be a place of history dedicated to and in the memory of the father of China. The exhibit is staffed well by very knowledgeable personnel who are able to answer any questions you may have during your self-guided tour. The building spans a few floors and there is an elevator inside as well as the stairs so you can explore at your own pace. It is well air-conditioned and there is so much to learn about Dr. Sun Yat Sen's life from his very beginning as a child to how he became a doctor and a political leader, and to his death. If you're a history buff, I think it is a well-rounded and enjoyable experience. There is a video room that takes roughly 20 minutes to watch and has a handful of seats which is great to take a rest at before heading back on the streets. There are also well-maintained restrooms on the ground floor. Best of all, this remains free to the public. No photo or video is allowed inside the property.

The museum in my opinion was "so-so" as it pertains to the historical information and installation…read moreregarding Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. Mostly photographs and informational displays with stories and words (probably not as good as other museum installations I have seen on Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in Taiwan or elsewhere), plus a few items of clothing, a short video and such. The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen installation is on the top floor. The restored building dating back to 1914 that houses the museum was really quite special. I am glad when I see Hong Kong or private entity saves historic buildings like this. It is a former residence that is a blend of Chinese and Western architectural styles. They show a 10 minute video on the restoration that was involved. It really is a beautiful building and for $10HKD, worth a pop into see.

M+ located in West Kowloon is a contemporary modern art museum where you can easily spend half a…read moreday there admiring all the works. I am no expert in contemporary art but the space, exhibitions, and museum building provides a unique and neat experience to check out if you want to explore and see a different side of Hong Kong. Moreover, you get great views of Hong Kong Island from M+ as well. You are able to purchase tickets at the museum and the exhibitions are clearly labeled with both Chinese and English explanations. Some of the works are pretty neat and thought provoking, challenging society's norms. The entire M+ building architecturally beautiful to look at and be in as well. It makes for a great unique experience. The museum also has temporary exhibitions as well that change time to time - so interesting to see. Overall, a must visit if you love art and architecture. A great way to spend an afternoon!

M+ Pavilion / West Kowloon (Hong Kong) -- It's not every day that you can visit a world-class…read moremuseum that's also a political lightning rod. Open just three years ago, the space is as modern and expansive as you would expect it to be with 33 galleries spread over 700,000 square feet. Jamie W and I decided to come here after seeing several young vloggers praise its architecture and collection. The art on display is specifically from the 20th and 21st centuries. Don't expect ancient artifacts here. We had the foresight to buy the Special Exhibition Dual Passes for HK$240 each well in advance. This allowed us entry to the popular museum on a pre-selected day within a certain timeframe. It included access to two special exhibitions, an overview of the work of revered architect I.M. Pei called 'Life Is Architecture', and the stylized work of trendsetting fashion designer Guo Pei called 'Fashioning Imagination'. They're not related. However, both figures reflect vast imaginations translated into stunning designs. Coincidentally, I had seen Guo Pei's meticulously ornate gowns at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco two years ago, but this was a nicely condensed version of that collection. I.M. Pei's work turned out to be a vast display of buildings and structures well beyond the glass pyramid at the Louvre. Especially interesting was archival video where the architect shared his approach and philosophy. The other galleries showcase contemporary Chinese art with some pieces quite revolutionary in their messaging. Even before it opened, the museum has been under scrutiny from Beijing with the pending threat of censorship from the Communist Party. Due to its unique administrative status, Hong Kong has managed thus far to maneuver the treacherous political waters to create a museum comparable to the Tate Modern and MoMA. Who knows how long it will last? RELATED - Exploring Hong Kong? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3AGgadg

Wonderful park with different decor for each entrance on the Nathan side. Love it with the…read moreanimated characters...and painting on the floor. Well maintained and couple or several water fountains. We just walked through but felt safe plus felt not in a city rather in a fun relaxing atmosphere vibe. And it is right in the middle of a busiest street in HK.

A beautiful, well-maintained park with multiple geyser water fountains, lush foliage, sculptures,…read moreand lots of places for sitting and enjoying the ambiance. There's even a hedge maze and avenue of HK comics. It's well lit at night, safe and clean. Excellent place to visit or just walk around.

Hong Kong Arts Center (HKAC), non-profit, performing arts, independent films…read more HKAC is one of my favorite arts organization in Hong Kong. This arts Center provides different kinds of arts performances, like sculpture and photography exhibition, visual arts, and performing arts. Tou can see all these arts performance or exhibition in those presentation spaces and venues. I also watch lots of independent films here, like some documentary and young directors' first work. I am impressed by the seats in agnès b. CINEMA. This cinema is not that big, but the interesting thing is you can see lots of names on the back of the seats. It is because, it is a funding scheme called "Name a Chair", seeking support for the renovation and equipment update of the cinema.It is a 5-year chair naming scheme.If you have money and want to give some support, then you can consider to join this project. It will be big deal! haha

I am not sure whether you have heard of this but not long ago, Hong Kong was once criticized as a…read morecultural desert. Though some still believe it is as teenagers are encouraged to study Business and are discouraged if they pursue Arts related studies. Regardless, Hong Kong does provide quite a few opportunities for those who are passionate about arts and culture. (It is the mentality of the mass that is difficult to change). The Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC) is located at Wanchai which promotes contemporary arts, visual arts, or arts education. Because of the convenient location, there are quite a lot of students coming here after school to learn musical instruments or read some books here. Once you walk in, you may see quite a lot of artworks on display at the Jockey Club Atrium. Apart from that, below the ground floor you may also find studios (The McAulay Studio for example), theatres (agnès b. Cinema) and offices owned by international or local art organizations. The tower is consisted of fifteen floors and there are galleries, restaurats, a language centre or even a cinema. The best part of this place is the Pao Galleries where it hosts year-round art exhibitions. Over the years, it has held quite a number of programmes including the Art Walk every year. With the opening of Art Basel earlier this year, I can guarantee you that Hong Kong soon will not be called as a desert for arts and culture. If you would like to know more about this place, the arts on display or even the programmes, you may also join the guided tour (both English and Chinese), the tour lasts around an hour and it is completely free of charge. This is definitely a better choice than spending your time in a café. So next time if you are nearby, how about indulging yourself with art and fine dining here?