5 spots to explore in West Kowloon Cultural District this winter
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The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest cultural projects in the world. The concept was initially raised over 20 years ago for a district in Hong Kong to present arts and culture to the public. An amalgamation of historical and traditional cultures with modern platforms, its vision is to “create a vibrant cultural quarter for Hong Kong where the local arts scene can interact, develop, and collaborate.”
From exhibitions to performances and events, you can dive into the arts this upcoming winter in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Especially with Christmas and New Year’s already around the corner, now is the perfect time to get out and about for some cultural appreciation.
So, be sure to check out these attractions and events in the area before the season ends.
M+ Museum
The M+ Museum is newly opened and “one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary visual culture in the world.” The museum’s six exhibitions present different themes through various art mediums like paintings, moving images, sculptures, architectural projects and more.
One attraction includes Antony Gormley’s 200,000 clay figurines made by people from the Xiangshan village in China. Other exhibitions explore the art history of Hong Kong and China up to the present day, and there’s also the iconic Hong Kong neon sign collection you can check out.
Ongoing exhibits, like the Mediatheque space, offer plenty to see and take in. The museum boasts that visitors can “encounter videogames, virtual reality, and other digital art experiences in our Interactive Media Room—a soundproof space in the Mediatheque designed for immersive and playable artworks created by some of the most exciting digital makers of our time.”
Due to the venue’s popularity, you need to plan and reserve your entry through the website ahead of time. You can also become an M+ member for free access to various exhibitions and events as well as other perks like members-only viewing hours and access to the M+ Lounge.
Art Park
The Art Park of the West Kowloon Cultural District is another world of art experience. Filled with nature, art and restaurants, you can spend a whole day exploring here. Enjoy the lovely sunsets of Hong Kong, right by the sea, and cycle along the park by renting a SmartBike.
Pets are welcome at the park, and a cycling piano comes by on weekends – a one-of-a-kind street performance experience. The 2021 Hong Kong WinterFest Christmas Town is also on until January 2. The festive displays make for a great photo opportunity and place to relax with partners, friends and family this season.
Xiqu Centre
The Xiqu Centre is a performing arts theater promoting and celebrating traditional Chinese theater and Cantonese opera (Xiqu refers to Chinese opera). The venue offers performances and exhibitions accompanied by guided tours in English, Cantonese and Mandarin as well as some facilitating education for students and the general public. Regularly featuring Xiqu documentary screenings and performances and workshops related to traditional arts, the Xiqu Centre is the perfect environment to feast your eyes on Chinese cultural heritage and art.
Freespace
Freespace, located right by the Art Park, “presents multi-genre performances and events, produces boundary-pushing collaborations, and promotes new ways of seeing and experiencing performance.” With various events ready every day, the venue’s tickets can be purchased online and in person at the Xiqu Centre ticketing office.
Freespace partners “with emerging and established artists from Hong Kong and around the world,” nurturing diversity and creative voices to “redefine the role of performing arts for our age.” The venue features a monthly Freespace Ensemble with musicians from a variety of genres, as well as weekly gigs on Friday and Saturday nights at the Lau Bak Livehouse right outside.
Freespace will showcase the ON VIEW: Panoramic Suite which features “near life-size thread sculptures by Australian portrait sculpture artist Jane Théau, plus live performances by Hong Kong dance artist Mui Cheuk-yin at selected times” from December 17-19. Also, check out the Freespace Mural, an artsy wall painted by artist and graphic designer Calvin Ho.
AR City
The West Kowloon Cultural District offers you a new experience via its app, unsurprisingly named “West Kowloon Cultural District.” Available on iOS and Android, this app creatively guides you through the area.
Whether you’d like to discover new things to do, book tickets for venues and events or even explore the area through AR and take photos with AR neon signs that you can find with the app, this fun tool can enrich your experience at the West Kowloon Cultural District.
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