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Hong Kong, or more familiarly known as Hương Cảng, is a familiar name to many viewers of the 70s and 80s generations from the 1980s and 90s. Even if they haven't set foot there, the bustling streets glittering with neon lights in Kowloon and Mong Kok; the magnificent Central Financial District; the vibrant entertainment district of Lan Kwai Fong; or the peaceful fishing villages of Tai Ao and Small Bay… have become familiar because they appeared countless times in classic Hong Kong films of that era.
As a line from Wong Kar-wai's 2046 goes, "Every memory is a stream of tears," remembering the golden age of Hong Kong cinema is remembering those innocent, wild, and pure years of youth that can never be recaptured. Perhaps what the Hong Kong people created back then has an enduring value, because even now, we can still find the aesthetic imprint of Hong Kong's film and culture.
Immerse yourself in the world of cinema right here in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong is not just a modern city, but also a living museum with invaluable cinematic and artistic heritage. Let's explore these unique locations to learn more about the soul of this vibrant city.
Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Located on China's southern border, Hong Kong leverages its unique geographical advantages and historical context to become an international metropolis. Here, East and West blend, creating a diverse culture.
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is a public museum of history, art, and culture located in Sha Tin.
The story of Hong Kong's popular culture begins with the post-war population boom, coupled with the rapid economic development and the cultural and artistic exchange of many cultures. Over time, along with the continuous development of mass media, Hong Kong's popular culture has also acquired its own unique characteristics and has constantly evolved.
The Hong Kong Heritage Museum, which opened in December 2000, is managed by the Cultural and Recreation Services Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. It is a multidisciplinary museum exploring Hong Kong's unique cultures, with a particular focus on local living and creative arts such as design, photography, popular culture, Cantonese opera, and intangible cultural heritage.
The museum opened on December 16, 2000.
Designed to both entertain and enlighten, the museum's vibrant, informative activities and exhibits offer visitors a kaleidoscope of cultural and educational experiences.
The museum is designed to provide comprehensive exhibitions on history, art, and culture.
With its vast exhibition space, the museum boasts five permanent galleries—including the Jin Yong Gallery, the Guangdong Heritage Opera Theatre, the TT Tsui Chinese Art Gallery, the Chao Shao-an Gallery, and the Children's Discovery Gallery—as well as six thematic galleries that regularly host exhibitions showcasing our diverse heritage treasures.
If you're curious about Hong Kong's pop culture, the permanent exhibition "Hong Kong Pop 60+" at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum is the perfect destination. The exhibition explores all aspects of Hong Kong's pop culture from the post-war period to the early 2000s, including film, music, television, radio, and comics.
The Hong Kong Pop 60+ exhibition is structured into six sections. Each section is associated with a specific space, allowing visitors to visualize it vividly. This is a multimedia exhibition that takes visitors on a journey back in time, exploring a vibrant Hong Kong with a thriving art scene.
This is also an ideal space for parents and children to share interesting personal interests with each other, whether it's their favorite movie or pop song from their teenage years.
A film museum right on the streets of Hong Kong through the “Hong Kong Movie Tour”
Using streets or buildings as settings is a characteristic of Hong Kong films. Therefore, it can be said that the development of Hong Kong's neighborhoods can be clearly seen through these films.
This is an opportunity for fans of the country's cinema to see film sets firsthand.
"Hong Kong Cinema Tourism" is the first tour to delve deeply into the world of cinema offered by Hong Kong's tourism industry. According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), visitors to Hong Kong are not only interested in exploring attractive locations and learning about the culture, but also in discovering famous film settings.
"Hong Kong Movie Tour" is the first tour of its kind in the Hong Kong tourism industry.
Therefore, with this new tour, visitors will embark on an adventure into the world of Hong Kong films and revisit classic filming locations. These include the alley where Maggie Cheung carried her lunchbox to buy porridge and encountered her former lover in "In the Mood for Love," or the spectacular chase scene in "Infernal Affairs"...
Tour participants departing from Western Market in Sheung Wan are equipped with headphones connected to the guide's device for commentary. At each stop, the guide introduces the destination and related film, using a tablet to show visitors scenes from the movie. Those unfamiliar with the film will receive a brief overview. Each tour stops at approximately six locations, divided by region.
Since reopening to tourism in 2023, Hong Kong has continuously launched and revamped tourism programs to attract international visitors. The Hong Kong Tourism Development Bureau estimates the number of foreign visitors to the city in 2024 to be around 46 million, a 35% increase compared to 2023. Among visitors to Hong Kong, mainland China and Southeast Asia are the main sources of tourists. The number of tourists from Southeast Asia to Hong Kong has returned to 98% of pre-pandemic levels.
