Eat, play and get inspired at the West Kowloon Cultural District

It’s hard not to miss the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK). Sat beneath Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper and with gigantic glowing M+ Façade at its centre, this vast headland comprises fantastic museums and performance venues set next to a 2km-long bicycle- and pet-friendly harbourfront promenade. That’s not all: it’s also home to superb places to dine and drink and has one of the best free views of the city’s skyline. 

Get cultured 

New York has The Museum of Modern Art, London has Tate Modern, and Hong Kong has M+, an iconic landmark designed by Herzog & de Meuron, with its unmissable digital screen. As a global museum of contemporary visual culture, M+ hosted exhibitions featuring significant figures in the history of visual culture and contemporary art in Asia, including Yayoi Kusama and Madame Song Huai-kuei. and Ieoh Ming Pei (I. M. Pei).

Here, you can also browse the extraordinary M+ Collections featuring everyday design objects that have defined the modern world, learn about the iconic neon signs which line Hong Kong’s streets, or explore M+ Cinema’s seasonal programmes  to rediscover hidden gems in the film world. 

At the WestK’s western tip, the Hong Kong Palace Musem  (HKPM), opened in 2022, is where you can traverse dynasties and acquaint yourself with the opulent culture and lifestyle of the Chinese emperors who once called the Forbidden City home. It harbours innovative exhibitions on the history and architecture of the Imperial Palace, as well as hundreds of ancient artefacts from the Palace Museum in Beijing, including artworks, ceramics and other everyday objects once used by Chinese royalty. 

The WestK is the perfect place to catch a show that will suit every interest, thanks to its abundance of state-of- the-art venues and a rich mix of arts and cultural programmes. Head to Freespace  in the Art Park for a range of contemporary dance performances and theatrical concerts, and check out the weekly gigs at Lau Bak Livehouse , where you can watch up-and-coming music acts and knock back a drink or two.

For something more traditional, catch a Chinese traditional theatre or Cantonese opera show at the Xiqu Centre . Here, you’ll find performances by award-winning troupes, opera masters and emerging talents at the Grand Theatre, or enjoy tea and dim sum alongside an intimate Cantonese opera showcase by Xiqu Centre’s in-house Tea House Rising Stars Troupe at the Tea House Theatre. 

Relax and Refuel 

From Michelin-approved restaurants to laid-back cafés and eateries , the WestK has no shortage of dining options for all tastes and budgets. If you’re looking to splurge, Mosu , the Hong Kong outpost of the eponymous three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul, offers a tasting menu of modern Korean cuisine alongside a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour from M+’s third floor. 

At Pano in the Art Park, enjoy sophisticated French cuisine with an Asian twist. Craving Cantonese with a harbour view? King Lung Heen on the HKPM’s fourth floor is your answer. Meanwhile AGATE at M+ highlights the beauty of culinary craftsmanship in Cantonese cuisine with nobility and elegance, set against the breathtaking vista of Victoria Harbour.

For an al fresco bite, grab a snack from one of the Art Park’s food trucks or cafés. Whether you opt for indulgent hotdogs paired with locally made craft drinks from Baby Sonny’s, or all-day breakfast and artisanal coffee at Cupping Room, your meal is served with a sea view. 

Where to stay

Make it a weekend at West Kowloon by booking a stay at one of its luxury hotels. The Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong at the top of the International Commerce Centre features sumptuous rooms and suites with bird’s-eye views of the city’s magnificent skyline. Make a reservation at Tin Lung Heen for Michelin-starred Cantonese fare, or ascend to the 118th floor for inventive cocktails and a nightclub atmosphere at Ozone, the world’s highest rooftop bar. Let the good times roll at W Hong Kong, where bold design and a rooftop pool (the city’s highest) with a bar will continue stimulating your senses after a day of culture.

How to get there

Head to the WestK via the MTR and alight at Kowloon Station (Airport Express or Tung Chung Line) or Austin Station (Tuen Ma Line). Multiple buses and minibuses also pass through the district. 

What’s on

Shows, exhibitions and performances to check out across the WestK

M+ Sigg Prize 2025 exhibition

Until 4 January 2026

Step into this inspiring exhibition featuring works by six artists shortlisted for the third edition of the Sigg Prize, namely Bi Rongrong, Ho Rui An, Hsu Chia-Wei, Heidi Lau, Pan Daijing, and Wong Ping – all born in the 1980s and 1990s. From ceramics to textiles and mixed reality and AI, come explore the rising artists’ visions on themes like cultural memory, history and technology through different mediums.

Find out more here

Freespace Jazz Fest 2025

6-9 November

Presented by WestK Performing Arts, Hong Kong’s beloved music event returns for four days of sensational performances, boasting an exciting lineup from Brazil, the Chinese Mainland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Thailand, the UK, Hong Kong and more, that spans jazz, pop, experimental and world music. 

Discover the ticketed and free programmes here

Zao Wou-Ki: Master Printmaker exhibition at M+

13 December 2025 – 3 May 2026

The very first major retrospective in Asia of Zao Wou-Ki, one of the most influential abstract artists of the mid-20th century, this exhibition will highlight his life-long printmaking mastery. Expect a remarkable showcase of prints, illustrated books, works on paper, archival materials and more.

Find out more here

Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums special exhibition at the  

20 November 2025 – 31 August 2026

Marvel at about 250 precious Egyptian artefacts, including statues of pharaohs and deities, gold ornaments, large-scale coffins and animal mummies, with many making their public debut outside Egypt for the very first time. Featuring treasures from seven major Egyptian museums, this special exhibition is divided into four sections, each exploring a different theme like royal and religious power, dialogues between ancient Egypt and other world civilisations – a must-see for history enthusiasts and culture lovers alike.

Find out more here

This article was originally published in March 2024 and updated in October 2025.