Thousands show up for grand opening of Hong Kong Palace Museum to see 900 precious relics and national treasures on loan from Beijing
- Enthusiasts were in the queue from 8am, with museum opening its doors from 9am after a one-day delay caused by typhoon
- Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung says new facility can play a role in telling Chinese stories and promoting cultural exchanges
Thousands of art enthusiasts thronged the newly opened Hong Kong Palace Museum on Sunday for a glimpse of about 900 precious relics and national treasures on loan from Beijing.
The museum was set to open on Saturday after the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s July 1 return to Chinese rule, but it was postponed as Typhoon Chaba battered the city and a No 8 warning signal remained in place.
A lion dance performance on Sunday at 8.50am at a platform to the museum’s main entrance marked its 9am launch, with more than 100 visitors already in line to enter the venue.
Many enthusiasts arrived as early as 8am. The first in the queue was Rheneas Choi, 25, who works in information technology. Choi said he left his Mong Kok home at about 7am, as he could not wait to see the relics on display.
“I have waited for the opening of the museum since its construction started. I’m so excited to be able to finally take a look at these national treasures.”
He said he could not travel to the Beijing Palace Museum during the Covid-19 pandemic, so he scrambled for a day ticket for the Hong Kong version as soon as bookings opened to the public.