West Kowloon Art Park beckons as Hong Kong’s new leisure destination
Relax and unwind at the city’s latest public space that combines picture-perfect views, expansive green lawns, waterfront cafes and cultural events like the upcoming Freespace Jazz Fest in one neat package. What’s more, it’s also family, pet and bike friendly to boot.
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Celebrated views
Hong Kong has one of – if not the best – skyline of any city in the world. Spend a day at the West Kowloon Art Park which offers a perfect vantage point to take in the incredible views of the iconic Victoria Harbour and an unparalleled panorama of Hong Kong Island. Come the magic hour, watch the sky turn glorious shades of orange and magenta as the sun sets below the horizon.
The great urban outdoors
The green heart of the West Kowloon Cultural District is also the ideal place to recharge your batteries, boost your wellness, and spend quality time with the family.
Go for a jog or take your pet dog for a walk on the waterfront promenade that will extend to Tsim Sha Tsui when completed. Too much distance to cover on foot? Then hire and ride a Smartbike that comes in adults’ and children’s sizes to go anywhere in the Art Park. Alternatively, spread out your mat and practice yoga on the lawn with nature as inspiration.
For some rest and respite, have a picnic on the grassy greens or hang out in the shade of the Competition Pavilion on the waterfront promenade. Named ‘Growing Up’ by New Office Works, the winning design of the Hong Kong Young Architects & Design Competition is one of the best spots to take your Instagrammable sunset photo. Enjoy the urban outdoors further by joining a free Park Tour and Workshop to learn more about the trees and plants at the park.
Harbourside dining
When it’s time for some nourishment, head to the newly-opened cafes set along the scenic waterfront. Bring your pet to Hooman for doggie treats and speciality coffee and delicious snacks for you. Or visit REST, a cafe that turns into a bar at night for original coffees, snacks and alcoholic beverages. If you are looking for something more sustaining, satiate yourself at the hip Café Bohème with scrumptious European favourites including pizzas and pastas, delicious desserts and ice creams. Patrons of the cafes can also enjoy same-day free parking in the Art Park Car Park.
Art and cultural happenings
Art and culture appreciation can uplift your spirit and boost your creativity. At the Art Park, you can enjoy a rich variety of indoor and outdoor events held at M+ Pavilion and the newly-opened black box theatre Freespace.
Regular exhibitions at M+ Pavilion are held for two to three months, with the next one, the inaugural ‘Sigg Prize 2019’ exhibition, opening on 7 December. The prestigious prize recognises the outstanding artistic practice in the Greater China region and the exhibition will feature the works of six short-listed artists, with the winner to be announced in March 2020. Make it a point to visit the exhibition when it opens to appreciate their distinguished artistic language articulated over the past two years. M+ Pavilion is currently closed to prepare for ‘Sigg Prize 2019’ exhibition.
Freespace Jazz Fest
Before that, mark down this weekend of 9 to 10 November on your calendar, gather your family and friends together and join the first Freespace Jazz Fest at the Art Park. Enjoy over 30 spectacular and mostly free events featuring stellar performances by world-class artists and local jazz stars that start in the morning and finish in the early evening. Great names to look out for performing at the Great Lawn and surrounding green spaces include the legendary Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Hubert Laws, Takashi Hirayasu, Senivoda, Outlet Drift, Patrick Lui Jazz Orchestra and Elisa Chan among others.
Don’t miss the festival’s two headline artists. GoGo Penguin, a jazz piano trio from Manchester, UK brings an exciting blend of jazz and electronica on Saturday, while the multiple-Grammy-winning ROBERT GLASPER TRIO with DJ Sundance wraps up the festival on Sunday with a spectacular performance that explores the boundaries between jazz, hip-hop, soul and R&B. Tickets for these two performances held at The Box can be purchased online.
You can also enjoy art of a different nature with a jazz-infused performance of The Great Gatsby and site-specific dance works on the harbourfront and other locations. If you are a movie buff, make sure to watch the free screenings of some of the best music films and documentaries from around the world such as Waltz for Monica and Buena Vista Social Club Adios. Make time to join meet-the-artists sessions and a Poetry Music Jam, see live performances by local heroes and treat yourself to some fine craft beer or a delicious meal in the Lau Bak Livehouse bar and restaurant at Freespace.
If you have children aged three and above in tow, the special interactive family concert Jazz for Kids featuring jazz musicians collaborating with the audience to tell the story of little Siu Kwai is the perfect event to ignite and nurture their interest in music. The concert will be held at The Room in the afternoon and tickets can be purchased online.
How to get there
The West Kowloon Art Park is located at the western end of the West Kowloon Cultural District and is easily accessible from MTR Kowloon Station. You can drive and make use of the hourly-rated car park at the Art Park near the M+ Pavilion, or catch minibus number 74 or 26 from the MTR Kowloon Station Bus Terminus.