Roots

The Hong Kong Museum of History is the best museum I've been to in recent memory. I didn't expect much, especially after visiting the historical sites in mainland China, but I was really pleasantly surprised.

The difference between seeing something like the Great Wall and experiencing the museum's "Hong Kong Story" is the latter is personal. I didn't grow up with my parents telling stories about the Great Wall or Forbidden City. I grew up with stories about their school days and my grandma's anger towards the Japanese because of their brutal occupation during WWII. So, my visit in the Museum of History was an informative and at times, an emotional glimpse into where my parents (and in turn, where I) came from. By the last film, as I watched footage of the 1997 British handover to China, I got a little teary.

I really recommend this museum to everyone, whether you have roots in Hong Kong or not. The installations are really well done, often interactive pieces with sound. It's also so cheap! Free on Wednesday or $10 HKD (less than $2 CND).

Photo: A Japanese propaganda poster asking British troops and Hong Kongers to surrender to the Japanese forces since "it is certain that Hong Kong will be smashed into pieces from the air."

Comments

[iris]

i've been! i've been! i thought it was great as well... but sadly, my only lasting visual memory of the museum is this gigantic triangular stacked to the ceiling pile of those little white buns you get for dessert on your birthday (you know the ones with the lotus seed in it?)

clearly, i need to return... you should take Cynthia there!

[Andrea]

You mean the bun festival in Cheung Chau?

Mom says this May was the first time they allowed it to take place in years because there have been many injuries (deaths even?) when people tried to snag the buns.

[mishie]

i have to say i'm really enjoying seeing your pics and reading your adventures about hk, i've never been but it sounds like a real eye-opener!