Hong Kong Palace Museum unveils new retail and dining outlets

Hong Kong's newest cultural landmark, the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) in the West Kowloon Cultural District, has received tremendous support from local and international visitors since its opening in July 2022, welcoming more than 1,100,000 people through its doors in the first 11 months of operation. The HKPM is delighted to announce the opening of three new retail and dining outlets, namely ART EXPRESS, a new museum shop operated by The Commercial Press, a Chinese teahouse named XIA, and King Lung Heen Chinese restaurant. The new outlets opened progressively in May to enrich visitors' cultural, tourism, and dining experience.  

ART EXPRESS promotes Palace Museum culture with a modern and creative twist

The HKPM's new gift shop, ART EXPRESS by The Commercial Press, operated by SUP Retail (Hong Kong) Limited under Sino United Publishing (Holdings) Limited (TBC), is located on the ground floor near the museum's main entrance. Drawing on a "Curio Cabinets of the Emperor" design concept, the 3,000 sq ft retail space is divided into six zones that offer a variety of products covering different aspects of life. ART EXPRESS integrates this concept into the layout and display of the store, hoping that visitors can experience the fun of the antique collection and savor the romance of antiquity. 

This is the largest cultural gift shop opened by Sino United Publishing in Hong Kong, to lead readers to explore ancient and modern knowledge treasures through over 2000 richly diverse books and creative cultural products. 

The storefront design of "ART EXPRESS by Commercial Press" inherits traditional Chinese aesthetics and features fashion and minimalism. The color adopts the Beijing Palace Museum's classic vermilion, echoing the Forbidden City's red walls. A huge vermilion canopy hung from the ceiling, which reinterprets the traditional eaves of the Beijing Forbidden City with modern design thinking. With professional lighting effects, visitors can experience the integration of tradition and fashion. 

ART EXPRESS by The Commercial Press features a comprehensive collection of cultural and creative products from the HKPM, along with a selection of more than 2,000 products – from gadgets and souvenirs to publications associated with the Palace Museum and HKPM exhibitions – that guide visitors to travel between the past and the present as they explore the richness of Chinese culture.  

XIA presents Emperor Qianlong's favorite snacks and traditional delicacies 

Connected to the museum gift shop via a Chinese-style arch, XIA is a Chinese teahouse exploring palace food culture's creativity. Operated by CURATOR GROUP and designed by two internationally renowned creatives – architect, collector, and artist William Lim, and Stanley Wong (aka anothermountainman) – XIA draws its inspiration from the culture of the Forbidden City. The teahouse traces the fascinating stories of the six visits south of the Yangtze River made by the Kangxi and Qianlong emperors, during which they observed local customs and tasted regional delicacies.  

Inspired by this rich history, according to the restaurant manager Vincent Wu, XIA presents classic palace foods alongside traditional folk dishes at affordable prices. The menu design is also unique, echoing the ceiling which symbolizes the West Lake and the moon pattern on the curtains. 

The thoughtfully curated menu at XIA features dishes such as sweet pea cake, Empress Dowager Cixi's favorite dessert; braised duck with lotus seeds from Qing Dynasty imperial cuisine; the stewed bird's nest beloved by the Qianlong Emperor; and local specialties such as Chongqing noodles and Shanxi meat buns. Visitors have the unique opportunity to enjoy the palace treasures housed in the museum and then sample the delectable cuisines once relished by the imperial family. 

King Lung Heen offers exquisite Cantonese delicacies along with panoramic views 

The new Chinese restaurant at the HKPM, King Lung Heen, is located on the museum's 4th floor and offers a stunning 270-degree view over Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour and the West Kowloon Art Park. The restaurant offers a selection of traditional dim sum and Cantonese dishes with a creative twist. Set amidst surroundings rich in arts and culture, King Lung Heen provides an unforgettable dining experience for gatherings with friends, families, or business associates. 

The restaurant also features a spacious, column-free banquet hall that can accommodate up to 40 banquet tables, making it the perfect venue for special occasions. Elegantly decorated and equipped with a large high-definition LED screen, state-of-the-art lighting and other audio-visual equipment, King Lung Heen offers a comprehensive, one-stop professional banquet and wedding service tailored to your needs. 

Dr. Louis Ng, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, said: "Since its opening last year, the HKPM has been dedicated to creating a unique cultural ambiance through high-quality exhibitions, cultural and educational activities, alongside a series of creative cultural products. The newly opened museum shop and restaurants allow visitors to appreciate the splendid culture of the Palace Museum through gourmet experiences and a variety of cultural offerings, cultivating synergies that can promote the integration of culture and tourism. We look forward to welcoming visitors worldwide to enjoy the museum and experience the richness of Chinese culture from multiple perspectives." 

The new restaurants and gift shops are now in full operation. Non-ticket holders can gain access through the main entrance of the Museum Plaza on the Ground Floor or the Palace Academy on the LG floor. HKPM Friends and patrons of the museum can enjoy a 10% discount at all the new outlets, subject to terms and conditions. For more details, please visit the museum website  https://www.hkpm.org.hk/en/visit/shop-and-dine.