​The Hong Kong Museum of History (HKMH) is staging the revamped permanent exhibition "Hong Kong Story" from tomorrow (April 1), which is a milestone in the second phase of the renovation of the permanent exhibition of the museum. The revamped exhibition has moved away from a single narrative approach, combining historical chronology with thematic curation, enabling visitors to understand Hong Kong's history from multiple perspectives through different exhibition themes. While telling the local story, the revamped exhibition also places greater emphasis on Hong Kong's role as a "hub", highlighting its shared roots with the motherland in historical development and its connections with the world as an international metropolis.
     
     Framed around four core themes as curation context, namely "Roots of Culture", "East Meets West", "Coalition against Japanese Aggression", and "Hong Kong as a Global Metropolis", the exhibition, through 10 galleries, traces Hong Kong's development from prehistoric times to the present, showcasing over 2 800 precious exhibits, including artefacts, historic photos, videos and interactive multimedia installations. 
  
"Roots of Culture" - Featuring Hong Kong's deep roots in the fertile soil of Chinese civilisation

     At the beginning, the "Unity in Diversity in Chinese Civilisation" and "Historical Origins of Hong Kong" galleries lead visitors to trace Hong Kong's deep historical origins. One of the highlights, a national-grade prehistoric "yazhang" (ceremonial blade) unearthed on Lamma Island, is a powerful testament to the southward transmission of the Central Plains' ritual system and the pluralistic unity of Chinese civilisation. Invaluable artefacts unearthed from the Lei Cheng Uk Han Tomb, ceramic remains from the Sacred Hill Site of the Song and Yuan dynasties, and Ming dynasty blue-and-white porcelain shards excavated at Penny's Bay together testify that Hong Kong has long been rooted in the fertile soil of Chinese civilisation, sharing a cultural lineage with the motherland since ancient times.
 
"East Meets West" - Presenting a distinctive society with Chinese–Western interaction
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     The next "Historical Changes" gallery takes visitors to a defining moment in Hong Kong's history. Standing before the Statue of Lin Zexu and the 1899 Sino-British Boundary Stone, visitors can keenly feel the historical upheaval brought about by the Opium War and the unequal treaties. The "Modern City" gallery shows the distinctive society of Hong Kong, shaped by East-West interaction while still grounded in Chinese cultural traditions. Highlight exhibits include a banknote issued in 1860 by Hong Kong's first note-issuing bank, the Oriental Bank Corporation, and a copy of China Daily, a newspaper established under the direct auspices of Dr Sun Yat-sen. The "Fusion of Chinese and Western Cultures" gallery reconstructs 1930s street scenes, including the double-decker tram, a tenement building scene, and a reconstructed scene of Shing Chai Tong Chinese Medicine Shop. Amid the charm of old architecture, it vividly recreates the distinctive social character and historical atmosphere of old Hong Kong, where Chinese and expatriates lived side by side, and old and new coexisted. 
      
"Coalition Against Japanese Aggression" - Writing an immortal chapter of Hong Kong people fighting alongside the motherland

     The "Hong Kong's Joint Resistance" gallery revisits Hong Kong's legendary wartime resistance. By showcasing the deeds of the Eighth Route Army Hong Kong Office and the China Defence League, the exhibition highlights the important role that Hong Kong played during the 14-year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The banner of "Loyalty, Courage, Sincerity, and Love" further allows visitors to appreciate the valiant efforts of the Hong Kong Battalion, led by the Communist Party of China, as they fought the Japanese invaders, rescued allies, and stood shoulder to shoulder with the motherland.
 
"Hong Kong as a Global Metropolis"- Depicting transformation and prosperity of the city

     The galleries "Social Changes", "Life in the Metropolis" and "Economic Achievements" illustrate Hong Kong's transformation into an international metropolis. The exhibition meticulously reconstructs 1970s resettlement units, faithfully recreating the small and unpretentious living spaces of Hong Kong's grassroots residents. On the bustling neon-lit street, there are various scenes such as a cafe, a cinema, a newsstand, as well as the iconic mechanical flip board displaying flight information from the old Kai Tak Airport. Visitors can recall the city's memories of food, literature, film and television, pop music, as well as daily activities such as ball games, horse racing, and seaside entertainment. Iconic "Made in Hong Kong" products, such as Cabbage Patch Kids and vacuum flasks featuring motifs from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, stand as vivid emblems of the prosperity that marked Hong Kong's economic take-off.
     
     At the conclusion of the exhibition, the "Walking with the Motherland" gallery features a "Moments in Focus" immersive presentation showcasing significant events, allowing visitors to witness Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the implementation of "one country, two systems", and a new chapter in its integration into the nation's overall development.

     Admission is free. For details, please visit the website of the HKMH at hk.history.museum/en/web/mh/exhibition/Hong-Kong-Story-main.html.

Ends/Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:45

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