***********************************************************
The highly popular exhibition "The Majesty of All Under Heaven: The Eternal Realm of China's First Emperor" being held at the Hong Kong Museum of History received its 300,000th visitor today (October 23) at 11am.
The 300,000th visitor to the exhibition was received by the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mrs Betty Fung, and the Executive Director, Charities, of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Douglas So, and was presented with two souvenir packs given out by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
Since its opening on July 25, the exhibition has attracted 300,000 visitors with an average daily attendance of 3,750 visitors. These figures have broken the attendance records for thematic exhibitions organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History.
The Hong Kong Museum of History has organised many popular exhibitions in the past, among which "War and Peace - Treasures of the Qin and Han Dynasties" held in 2002 received more than 230,000 visitors with an average daily attendance of about 2,500 while the "Centenary of China's 1911 Revolution" held last year attracted more than 140,000 visitors with an average daily attendance of about 2,100.
Mrs Fung said, "The exhibition, which has broken the attendance records for thematic exhibitions organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History, has demonstrated its strong appeal to the public with its rich contents and extensive use of innovative multimedia programmes. The programmes, which were specifically developed and designed for this exhibition, have brought visitors a brand new experience in viewing a history exhibition." Mrs Fung also thanked the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for solely sponsoring the exhibition, in particular for the production of the multimedia programmes and the education and public art programmes.
Lots of visitors have appreciated the rare opportunity to view the 20 terracotta figures of different types as well as other invaluable Qin dynasty relics on display in close proximity. They have also become newly acquainted with Qin history and culture through the magnificent scenes of the mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang and his terracotta army reconstructed by six innovative multimedia programmes. Complemented by guided tour services, the exhibition enables visitors to have a better understanding of the history and culture of the Qin dynasty, and makes learning about it enjoyable for all.
The exhibition will run until November 26. Those who are interested are advised to grab the last chance to buy tickets as early as possible. The final phase of advance tickets is available at all URBTIX outlets and the Hong Kong Museum of History's box office, and concurrently at URBTIX's Internet booking (www.urbtix.hk) and credit card telephone booking (hotline: 2111 5999).
For details of ticketing arrangements and ticket sales updates, please visit the exhibition website at firstemperor.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ticketing.php or call the Museum (Tel: 2724 9042) or URBTIX (Tel: 2734 9009) for enquiries.
"The Majesty of All Under Heaven: The Eternal Realm of China's First Emperor" is open daily from 9am to 10.30pm with 17 scheduled viewing sessions. Each session lasts one and a half hours. The first session starts at 9am while the last admission is at 9pm. Apart from on public holidays, the exhibition gallery is closed on Tuesdays, the museum's rest day.
There are seven sessions of free guided tours in Cantonese arranged daily - 10.45am, 11.30am, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 4.45pm, 5.30pm and 7pm. Two extra sessions in English at 11am and 3pm and another two in Putonghua at 2pm and 5pm are provided on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Each session of the guided tours, covering highlight exhibits of the Cultural Relics Display Zone, will take about one and a half hours. The quota for each session is 30 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Admission to the exhibition is $10 per session for all visitors. Children under 4 years old are entitled to free admission when accompanied by an adult. As this is a special exhibition, free admission on Wednesdays and concession tickets are not applicable.
Free vouchers for LCSD Museum Pass holders will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the Museum in four time slots commencing at 8.45am, 11.45am, 2.45pm and 5.45pm for viewing sessions between two time slots (free vouchers for the last viewing sessions of the day will be distributed at 5.45pm).
Schools and registered non-profit-making organisations may apply for free admission along with a guided tour. Interested parties please call 2724 9080 two weeks before the visit is planned, and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Application forms can be downloaded from the exhibition website at firstemperor.lcsd.gov.hk/en/group.php.
Jointly presented by the LCSD and the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau, the exhibition is co-organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center with the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust as the sole sponsor. It is one of the highlight programmes celebrating the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The Hong Kong Museum of History is located at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Its website is at hk.history.museum. For enquiries, please call 2724 9042.
Ends/Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:21
NNNN
