Hong Kong Museum of History is probably the most interesting museum in Hong Kong and if you plan to visit Hong Kong's cultural spots, it should be the first in your list. The museum was established in 1975, when the City Museum and Art Gallery was split into the Hong Kong Museum of History and Hong Kong Museum of Art. In 1998 it was moved to its present location on Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, and occupies a state-of-the-art building with an area of 17,500 square meters. Neighboring with Science Museum, they form a museum complex that has a unique harmonious appearance. The complex is painted using very appealing and magnificent colors. As many of Hong Kong's museums, Museum of History is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
Founded to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of China, the museum continually adds to its collection new items that are related to the history of Hong Kong and the territories of South China. Currently, its collection counts over 90,000 historical objects and materials. In the museum guests will see the unique collection of natural history, exclusive historical developments and historical materials, and a wide range of Hong Kong's archaeological objects. It's one of the best historical resources that displays models of town and village architecture. Visitors get a chance to see early newspapers, a complete set of Hong Kong currencies, documents and a huge collection of historical photographs. In addition, you can learn a lot of things about the city. There are many beautiful items that were used in past by the people of Hong Kong. These include village furniture, fishing ships and other fishing equipments, traditional clothes, customs and beliefs.
'The Hong Kong Story' permanent exhibition is probablty the most striking exhibition in the museum. It comprises 8 galleries located on two floors.
- The Natural Environment.
- Prehistoric Hong Kong.
- The Dynasties: from the Han to the Qing.
- Folk culture in Hong Kong.
- The Opium Wars and the Cession of Hong Kong.
- Birth and early growth of the City.
- The Japanese occupation.
- Modern metropolis and the return to China.
The museum is full of life and is a great place where you can learn historical and cultural aspects of Hong Kong and neighboring areas. Standard Admission Fee is HK$10. Also, the Hong Kong Museum of History has five branch museums: Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb Museum, Law Uk Folk Museum, Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery and Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum.