Hello, I’m Mike Wang, a China travel expert with over 20 years of experience. During these two decades, I’ve traveled extensively around the world. In this guide, I’ll walk you through M+ Museum in Hong Kong, in China—a top contemporary art hub. You’ll learn its history as part of West Kowloon’s cultural development, see its striking architecture, and get simple tips for visiting, helping you enjoy this unique spot fully.
Introduction
M+ Museum, a world-class contemporary art museum in China, is located in the West Kowloon Cultural District of Kowloon, Hong Kong. Covering a total floor area of about 65,000 square meters, it has 33 exhibition galleries, along with a rooftop garden, a cinema, and a learning center—making it one of the largest museums of visual culture in Asia.
Officially opened in November 2020, M+ has a short but meaningful history. Its development started in the early 2000s, aiming to build a global hub for contemporary art, design, and moving images that connects Hong Kong, the rest of China, and the world. Over the years, it has collected more than 8,000 artworks and artifacts, with a focus on works from the 20th and 21st centuries. Many pieces reflect the social and cultural changes in Asia, including important works by Chinese artists.
Beyond its collections, M+’s building itself is an attraction. Designed by world-renowned architects, it features a striking horizontal shape with a large LED screen on its facade—known as the “M+ Facade”—that shows artworks day and night.
Tickets & Opening Hours
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday – Thursday & Weekend: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Closed Mondays
Ticket Prices:
- General Admission: 120 HKD (approx. $15 USD)
- Concession: 60 HKD (students, seniors 60+)
- Free Entry: Children under 12, Hong Kong residents on Wednesdays
Purchasing Tickets:
Payment: Visa/MasterCard, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Apple Pay
Online: Book via M+ website or Klook (recommended)
On-site: Ticket counter accepts cash, credit cards, Octopus card
Main Scenic Areas & Attractions
Main Galleries (Level 2-5)
These 33 galleries display over 8,000 works of contemporary art, design, and moving images. Key sections include:
Hong Kong Visual Culture Gallery: Shows works by local artists from the 1960s to now, reflecting Hong Kong’s social changes (e.g., paintings about urban life). Many pieces were collected since M+’s founding in the 2000s to preserve local art history.
Asia Visual Culture Gallery: Features art from China, Japan, and South Korea. One highlight is a large-scale installation by a famous Chinese artist, exploring themes of nature and modernization—created in 2015 and donated to M+ in 2018.
Design & Architecture Gallery: Displays iconic designs (e.g., 20th-century furniture, urban planning models). These works trace how design shapes daily life, with some pieces loaned from international museums.
Rooftop Garden (Level 7)
An open-air space with panoramic views of Victoria Harbour. It opened in 2021 and hosts outdoor art installations (changed yearly). The garden’s design blends greenery with art, offering a quiet spot to relax after viewing indoor exhibits.
M+ Cinema (Level 1)
Shows rare films, documentaries, and experimental moving images. Many screenings focus on Asian cinema, including old Hong Kong movies from the 1980s—curated to let visitors explore the connection between film and visual culture.
Transportation
- 🚇By MTR: Take the Tung Chung Line or Airport Express to Kowloon Station (Exit E). Walk 10 minutes via the footbridge (with signs to M+) or take the free shuttle bus (Kowloon Station ↔ M+)—runs every 15 minutes.
- 🚌By Bus: Take buses 3, 3A, 11, 20, 21, 28, 37, 45, 91, or A21 to “West Kowloon Cultural District” stop. Walk 5 minutes to M+.
- 🚕By Taxi: Tell the driver “M+ Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District” (address: 38 Museum Drive, West Kowloon). From Central (Hong Kong Island), it takes 25 minutes and costs 80–120 HKD.
Experience & Activities
Guided Tours
- Free Public Tours: Offered in English and Cantonese, 45 minutes long (11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM daily). No advance booking—meet the guide at the Information Desk (Level 1) 5 minutes before the tour starts.
- Special Exhibition Tours: For temporary shows, book via the M+ website 7 days in advance. Cost is 80 HKD/person (includes entry to the special exhibition).
Art Workshops
Activities like “Digital Art Creation” or “Design a Mini Sculpture” are held on weekends. Book via the M+ website 2 weeks in advance (spots fill fast). Workshops cost 100–150 HKD/person (includes materials); free for children under 12 (accompanied by a paying adult).
Film Screenings
Book tickets for M+ Cinema via the museum’s website or on-site ticket counter (opens 1 hour before the first screening). Tickets cost 60 HKD/adult, 30 HKD/student/senior. Popular screenings sell out quickly, so book 1–2 weeks early.
Practical Tips & Etiquette
- Photography Rules: Taking photos (without flash) is allowed in most galleries, but no photos of works with “No Photography” signs (to protect copyright). No tripods in galleries (use hand-held devices only).
- Dress Code: Wear comfortable shoes (you’ll walk a lot). No overly casual clothes like flip-flops or tank tops—modest dressing is polite for a cultural venue.
- Bag Check: Large bags (over 40cm × 30cm × 20cm) must be stored in lockers (free for small lockers, 20 HKD/day for large ones) at the entrance.
- Quiet Voice: Speak softly in galleries—loud noises disturb other visitors and the museum’s calm atmosphere.
Food
- M+ Café (Level 1 of the museum): Serves light meals (sandwiches, salads: 50–100 HKD) and coffee/tea (30–50 HKD). It has views of the harbor.
- K11 Musea Food Hall (5-minute walk from M+): Offers diverse food—Hong Kong dim sum (40–80 HKD/dish), Japanese sushi (60–120 HKD), and Western pasta (70–110 HKD).
- Tsui Wah Restaurant (1km away, Nathan Road): A famous Hong Kong diner. Try milk tea (20 HKD) and baked pork chop rice (55 HKD)—classic local food.
- Paper Moon (K11 Musea, 8-minute walk): Serves Italian food (pizza, pasta: 100–200 HKD) in a modern setting.
Q&A
Q: Can I bring water or snacks into the museum?
A: Sealed water bottles are allowed, but no snacks (to keep galleries clean). The M+ Café is a good spot to eat if you get hungry.
Q: Is M+ accessible for wheelchairs?
A: Yes—there are elevators to all floors, wheelchair ramps, and accessible restrooms. Wheelchairs are available for free at the Information Desk (leave an ID as a deposit).
Q: How long does a visit usually take?
A: 2–3 hours for main galleries. If you join a tour or watch a film, plan for 4–5 hours.
Q: Do I need to book tickets for Thursday’s free entry?
A: Yes—free tickets are released online 1 week in advance. Book via the M+ website to secure a spot (no on-site free tickets).
Q: Are there souvenirs to buy?
A: Yes—the M+ Shop (Level 1) sells art books (100–300 HKD), design products (50–200 HKD), and prints of artworks (150–500 HKD). Payment methods are the same as for tickets.
Mike Wang
Mike Wang is a 40-something Chinese travel expert, has explored the world,
hosting numerous foreign visitors. He’s deeply interested in and knowledgeable
about ancient cultural architectures, enriching journeys with his insights.