Journeys Within Travel Blog

The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) faced significant operational challenges this past weekend as the highly anticipated “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums” exhibition drew massive, unmanageable crowds, continuing a string of high-profile event mishaps in the city. Following a pattern seen in recent months—including the September hot air balloon event debacle and the high-profile 2024 Lionel Messi controversy—the museum struggled to accommodate the visitor volume on Saturday, November 22, and Sunday, November 23, leading to severe congestion, long queues, and visitor dissatisfaction. In response, HKPM temporarily suspended on-site ticket sales, extended operating hours, and offered ticket holders complimentary revisit options.

High Demand Overwhelms Weekend Operations

The exhibition, showcasing mummies, sarcophagi, and historical artifacts, has proven to be a major draw since its opening. However, the surge in attendance quickly exposed operational limitations. On Saturday, after a smooth morning, the museum was inundated by afternoon crowds, resulting in lengthy waits and confusing traffic flow within the venue. Many frustrated visitors reportedly demanded refunds.

To mitigate the confusion and address the poor experience, HKPM took immediate action. The museum offered all Saturday ticket holders the opportunity to return and view the exhibition free of charge within the subsequent three months. Furthermore, HKPM extended its Saturday operating hours until 9 p.m. to disperse the bottleneck, though similar issues resurfaced the following day.

On Sunday, November 23, the museum was forced to temporarily halt all on-site ticket sales for nearly five hours, restricting entry only to individuals who had purchased tickets in advance. Sales resumed at 3:30 p.m., and the closing time was again extended until 8 p.m. to allow existing visitors more time.

Museum Sees Record Attendance, Sold-Out Souvenirs

Despite the logistical hurdles, the visitor data confirms the exhibition’s broad appeal. HKPM announced on Monday, November 24, that the “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” exhibition had welcomed over 16,000 visitors in just its first four days. This substantial number validates the exhibition’s drawing power, reflecting immense public interest in the ancient artifacts.

The enthusiasm extended to specialized merchandise. A popular series of themed plush toys—modeled after the Egyptian goddess Bastet and featuring cat figures dressed as pharaohs—completely sold out over the weekend. While HKPM has indicated that more stock is forthcoming, visitors currently must register online at the museum’s gift shop to receive notifications regarding restock availability.

Addressing Future Crowd Management

The sustained high demand throughout the opening weekend is prompting HKPM officials to consider structural operational changes. The museum is currently evaluating the possibility of extending its permanent operating hours for the duration of the exhibition to manage the flow of patrons and provide a better visitor experience. The success of the late-night extensions implemented over the weekend suggests that longer hours could be a viable solution to the continuing overcrowding issues.

The challenges at HKPM underscore a recurring issue facing Hong Kong’s major attractions: the infrastructure and crowd management systems frequently fail to keep pace with the pent-up demand for world-class cultural and entertainment events. Museums and organizers will need to invest in more robust advance ticketing and timed-entry systems to ensure that public enthusiasm translates into positive patron experiences rather than further operational meltdowns.

The acclaimed Chinese restaurant Hutong, known for its striking harbor views, has unveiled a seasonal culinary journey titled “Qian Jiao Bai Wei – The Essence of Heat.” Running through January 18, 2026, across all global locations, this limited-time menu celebrates the rich, fiery flavors of Northern Chinese gastronomy, spotlighting traditional dishes elevated by five distinct house-made chili sauces derived from indigenous Northern Chinese chili varieties.

The launch offers diners a chance to experience the nuances of la (spiciness) and ma (numbness), foundational elements of the region’s cooking. Hutong’s chefs developed five bespoke sauces, each imparting a unique profile, from mild warmth to intensely smoky heat, specifically for this menu.

Exploring the Spectrum of Heat

The “Qian Jiao Bai Wei” experience begins with appetizers balancing heat and fresh flavor. The Crispy Eggplant with Nutty Almond Sauce offers a subtle, comforting warmth, while the King Crab with Yunnan Pepper and Kumquat Chili Sauce delivers a vibrant citrus-and-spice interplay. This starter showcases the aromatic qualities of regional green line chillies, which provide a sharp counterpoint to the richness of the Alaskan King crab meat.

The menu’s main courses demonstrate sophisticated use of premium ingredients paired with potent Northern Chinese chiles:

• Flaming A5 Japanese Wagyu Beef with Roasted Sichuan Erjingtiao Chili: This dish is a decadent blend of high-grade Wagyu and the aromatic, smoky character of the celebrated Sichuan Erjingtiao chili.
• Wok-Tossed Lobster with Guntur Chillies: Enhanced with Hutong’s distinctive signature chili oil, the lobster is enriched by umami flavors from fermented black beans and crunchy garlic bits, making for an exceptionally savory experience.

Signature Sauces and Culinary Takeaways

While three of the specialty chili sauces created for the “Qian Jiao Bai Wei” menu are exclusive to the dine-in experience, Hutong offers two popular condiments for home cooks: the Hutong Signature Chili Sauce and Hutong Peppercorn Oil.

The signature chili sauce boasts a significant kick, crafted with aromatic ghost peppers and layered with accents of dried seafood, providing a multifaceted depth of flavor suitable for nearly any preparation. Conversely, the peppercorn oil, made with premier Sichuan green peppercorns, imparts the characteristic tongue-numbing sensation (ma) essential in Sichuan and Northern Chinese cooking, allowing home chefs to elevate simple meals. The sauces are freshly made daily and priced at $200 each.

To provide a necessary contrast to the intense heat, the menu also features non-alcoholic palate cleansers. The Red Lantern is a sparkling Da Hung Pao tea infused with ginger, lemon, and a hint of Sichuan peppercorn zest. Alternatively, the Spicy Ginger Lemon Soda transforms a classic drink with additions of ginger, chili, and peppercorns for a stimulating finish.

With its focus on ingredient quality and complex flavor layering, Hutong’s new menu provides a comprehensive exploration of Northern Chinese spicy cuisine, highlighting the intricate role that chiles play beyond simple heat. The global availability of the menu ensures that chili enthusiasts worldwide can partake in this limited-time culinary venture.

As the chill returns to Hong Kong’s air, prompting residents to embrace the outdoors, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) is debuting its first-ever comprehensive outdoor exhibition—’The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Art Plaza Project.’ This multimedia initiative seamlessly blends high culture with accessible public space, offering a unique opportunity to experience art and design inspired by traditional Chinese garden aesthetics right outside the museum walls. Running now through November 2, 2026, the exhibition features contemporary installations by five local artists and one leading architect, with free entry during the museum’s official operating hours.

Reinterpreting Zen in the City

The exhibition, strategically positioned in the HKPM’s Museum Plaza, aims to extend the museum’s cultural influence into everyday urban life while spotlighting the exceptional creativity of Hong Kong talents. The curation draws inspiration from classical Chinese gardens, known for their harmonious balance of architectural pavilions, flowing water features, and artfully-arranged rock formations.

However, these age-old natural elements are radically reinterpreted through the lens of modern city life. Visitors will encounter iconic garden components—such as bamboo thickets, smooth stones for contemplation, and flowing streams—composed of materials routinely found in Hong Kong’s bustling environment, including recycled bamboo poles, metal, and specialized textile fabrics.

The use of materials like bamboo underscores a powerful local narrative surrounding adaptability and resilience, integral concepts within the city’s architectural history. Complementing the two-year showcase, HKPM is also hosting concurrent workshops and talks designed to delve deeper into the philosophical and artistic concepts driving this inaugural outdoor initiative.

Architectural Highlights and Nighttime Views

One of the exhibition’s most compelling visual elements is Dancing Bamboo, a striking installation crafted by celebrated Hong Kong architect Rocco Yim. Yim utilizes bamboo poles salvaged directly from the city’s vast scaffolding industry, arranging them into an imagined forest. This piece masterfully celebrates the tensile strength, flexibility, and sustainability inherent in a material often overlooked by modern construction.

Echoing this material focus, artist Inkgo Lam presents Arrow, a mesmorizing work that expands her expertise in bamboo crafting. Inspired by the traditional bamboo arrow, the piece symbolically captures the constant, often productive, tension between inherited traditions and contemporary progress.

For an entirely different viewing experience, visitors are encouraged to return after sundown. Several installations by artists Chloë Cheuk, Tung Wing Hong, and Eastman Cheng are designed to transform into luminous displays. Utilizing light and shadow, these pieces offer a spectacular, illuminated perspective on the artists’ modern interpretations of serenity and natural form.

Key Exhibition Details:

• What: ‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: The Art Plaza Project’
• Where: Museum Plaza at the Hong Kong Palace Museum
• When: Now through November 2, 2026
• Cost: Free of charge during museum opening hours

This lengthy, free outdoor exhibition provides a significant opportunity for the public to engage with sophisticated, locally-produced art without the barrier of entry fees. By transforming the museum plaza into a contemplative yet accessible art sanctuary, HKPM is successfully utilizing public space to democratize culture and champion Hong Kong’s position as a dynamic hub for contemporary design and creative reinterpretation.