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Tai Kwun: From a former police station to the cultural heart of Hong Kong

The contrast could not be greater. Tai Kwun in Hong Kong was formerly the much-loathed Central Police Station, Magistracy and Victoria Prison. It was a symbol of the colonial times back when Great Britain ruled Hong Kong. Nowadays, it has been revitalised and reopened since 2018 as Tai Kwun. A centre of excellence for heritage and arts.

Located at 10 Hollywood Road, Central. It is mere steps away from the likes of Lan Kwai Fong and the business district. It is a minor miracle, that this prime real estate wasn’t sold off to developers but instead turned into a cultural hub for locals and tourists. Tai Kwun Contemporary is a non-profit visual arts program and they try to curate five to eight exhibitions each year to highlight socially relevant issues. This September, they will present “Killing TV”. It is a fascinating, brand-new exhibition on how modern-day artists deploy, disrupt, and deconstruct television as a medium. The different artists involved in the exhibition explore the themes of identity, consumerism, and human connection in society. This is often displayed in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

The venue is also a wonderful performing arts centre. Throughout September, they have the “Chilled Steps” concert series. In their fourth year, they previously the focus was on jazz music. However, this year, they’ve expanded to cover pop, folk, Western and Chinese music. Between September and October, they are also offering free film screenings of classic teen films from the 1950s to the 1980s. The carefully curated films show the youth of Hong Kong from a bygone era as they embrace the increasing influence of Western culture.

A significant part of the Tai Kwun experience is about the heritage of the site. The former Central Police Station compound had more than 170 years of history. This is brought back to life for the audiences of today through interactive tours, heritage storytelling areas, eclectic education programmes and focused heritage exhibitions. The guided tours are 45 minutes long, in Cantonese, English or Putonghua. It runs twice a day Monday – Friday and three times a day during the weekends. It is also free of charge. They have an insightful behind-the-scenes online section on their website where you can visit the hidden gems of the site. You can see the secret underground passage to the Central Magistracy or see how the compound was once a WWII Air Raid Shelter.

Of course, it isn’t all about education and learning. Tai Kwun is also a great venue to savour gastronomic delights, sample innovative cocktails and shop at independent boutique stores. One of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Hong Kong is based in Tai Kwun, Madame Fù Grand Café Chinois. The refined, colonial decor is matched by tantalising dishes such as sautéed diced Angus beef with Yunnan chilli and garlic. Their free-flowing dim sum offering during lunchtime Monday – Thursday is always popular with locals and tourists alike. The art noveau-inspired, Dragonfly bar offers some of the most innovative cocktails in town. Expect to sip on the likes of Hi Lazies, which contains Irish whisky, pineapple, lime, pimento liqueur, orgeat and baby spinach. It might sound peculiar but their talented mixologists know how to serve up a winning concoction.

Numerous world-class art galleries are also based at Tai Kwun such as Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery and Ora-Ora. The former focuses on 20th-century French art and modern and contemporary art in Asia. While the latter sell groundbreaking, modern art pieces from across the globe. There are also numerous boutique shops on offer such as Pap Studio which sells handmade Turkish-inspired lamps and Touch Ceramics which sells beautifully crafted and handmade ceramics and porcelains.

Although it only opened in 2018, Tai Kwun has rapidly developed into a must-visit destination for tourists when they visit Hong Kong.

For more information on Tai Kwun, please visit –

https://www.taikwun.hk/en/

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Hong Kong Heritage Museum: Championing Cantonese culture

We’ve mentioned in recent articles, how Hong Kong is rapidly developing into a cultural hub of the Far East. Most of the recent openings have been at the West Kowloon Cultural District. However, if you are prepared to travel a little further afield to Sha Tin, you’ll discover a hidden cultural gem that is a mecca for the Cantonese entertainment industry. Hong Kong Heritage Museum has been open since the year 2000 but hasn’t always featured on the tourist maps with visitors focusing on attractions in Hong Kong island or Kowloon.

The total exhibition area is around 7,500 square metres and includes five permanent galleries: the Jin Yong Gallery, the Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall, the T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art, the Chao Shao-an Gallery and the Children’s Discovery Gallery. On top of that, they have six thematic galleries that show pop-up exhibitions that highlight the diversity of Cantonese cultural offerings.

Their permanent exhibition: Hong Kong Pop 60+ is arguably one of their most popular permanent exhibitions. It highlights how the cultural melting pot that is Hong Kong has created a diverse environment for creativity to thrive. It covers iconic Hong Kong films like A Better Tomorrow and Infernal Affairs as well as Cantopop legends like Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung. The latter has his special exhibition at the moment: Miss You Much Leslie. It commemorates the 20th anniversary of the passing of superstar Leslie Cheung. The exhibition celebrates his tremendous achievement in music and film with countless stage costumes and vinyl records along with his staggering award collection.

Bruce Lee fans will be in seventh heaven with their Bruce Lee: a Timeless Classic and A Man Beyond the Ordinary: Bruce Lee pop-up exhibitions. It is the 50th anniversary of his iconic film ‘Enter the Dragon’ which made him a posthumous superstar and also his unfortunate passing away. The exhibition examines the legacy he has left behind in popular culture, whether it is in film, comics or animation. You might come across action figures based on Bruce Lee in various manifestations, his famous nunchaku or the iconic yellow jumpsuit. The exhibitions include large-scale multimedia and interactive programmes.

Hong Kong film buffs will be thrilled when they visit: Out of Thin Air: Hong Kong Film Arts & Costumes Exhibition. It celebrates the golden age of the Hong Kong film industry and explores the industry both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. It focuses on the importance of art and costume design in Hong Kong films. As you stroll through the exhibition, you’ll come across memorable costumes, props, set designs, drawing manuscripts, paraphernalia, videos and reconstructed scenes of workshops. Highlights include Brigitte Lin’s smuggler lady costume in Chungking Express (1994) and the set design drawing album of Shaw Brothers Studio. The latter was the largest film production company in Hong Kong. They operated from 1925 to 2011.

Although, not all their exhibitions are Hong Kong-focused. They recently held the blockbuster: Virtually Versailles exhibitions. Using cutting-edge digital technology, the exhibition transported you to the famed Hall of Mirrors. And they also had immersive bike installations where you can cycle around the scenic gardens of Versailles. Visitors got to virtually visit Marie-Antoinette’s bedchamber and discover the splendid history of the Palace. The exhibition was a roaring success and particularly popular with locals who were still cautious about travelling abroad post-COVID but still wanted a taste of foreign adventures.

They run public guided tours of the various exhibitions free of charge throughout the week. Most are presented in Cantonese but some are offered in English and Mandarin. They also have online programmes that let you experience snippets of the museum without having to head out to Sha Tin. This is a must-visit experience for those who are keen to learn more about Cantonese culture.

To find out more about Hong Kong Heritage Museum, please visit

https://hk.heritage.museum/en/web/hm/highlights.html

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Hong Kong Palace Museum: Discovering the treasures of the Forbidden City and beyond

The cultural scene in Hong Kong is thriving at the moment. That is in no small part due to the likes of the West Kowloon Cultural District. One of their latest museums to open is arguably its finest: Hong Kong Palace Museum. They house over 900 invaluable artefacts from The Palace Museum in Beijing. Many priceless pieces have never left the capital city or even been shown to the public. They have seven thematic galleries focusing on these items, general Chinese art and modern reinterpretation of Palace Museum culture. There are two galleries with temporary exhibitions showcasing art and treasures from other parts of the world. Currently, they have the blockbuster, Cartier and Women exhibition as well as Radiance: Ancient Gold from the Hong Kong Palace Museum Collection and the Mengdiexuan Collection.

The state-of-the-art building has been designed by Rocco Design Architects Associates Limited. With an exhibition space of 7,800 square metres, it has been designed to offer abundant rest areas both inside and outside the galleries. The facilities are barrier-free and particularly spacious, capable of handling substantial crowds during the holidays periods. You can observe throughout the building, they’ve used contemporary interpretations of traditional aesthetics. They’ve taken inspiration from the architecture of the Forbidden City but also taken care to blend in with Hong Kong’s urban skyline.

The themes of galleries are very well construed. For example, in gallery two, they have “From Dawn to Dusk: life in the Forbidden City”. You can follow the noteworthy events in the daily life of an emperor and other staff members in the palace. You will encounter what the emperor might be wearing on different occasions.

They don’t shy away from using modern technology in portraying the historical details of the period. Expect to see state-of-the-art video walls that will transport you back to the time of the Qing Dynasty. In gallery four, you’ll encounter very impressive portraits of Qing Emperors and Empresses. They’ve also created helpful timelines, where you can follow the imperial lineage. Even the main thematic galleries from one to seven are not expected to be permanent exhibitions and they will likely be rotated out after being on display for over a year.

Hong Kong locals will be particularly fascinated by gallery six, which explores “Private to Public: the history of Chinese art collecting in Hong Kong”. It explores the philanthropy of Hong Kong donors who have chosen to donate artwork they’ve privately collected, so the public can enjoy the beauty of these pieces. Often this has been to help promote Chinese culture at home and abroad. With each display, there is a handy note explaining the original owner of the artwork. For example, there is a wonderful oil on canvas painting of The Matilde moored in Hong Kong Harbour from the Anthony Hardy Collection.

Despite the historical nature of most of the artefacts, the museum is a very forward-thinking and progressive institution. This is very much in evidence in gallery seven “No boundaries: reinterpreting Palace Museum culture”. In this gallery space, they’ve asked six Hong Kong-based multimedia and interdisciplinary artists to create fresh and bespoke pieces of art installations for the museum which takes a fresh interpretation of the art and culture of the Forbidden City. The most impressive installation is without a doubt “A grandiose fanfare” by GayBird. The artwork fuses the atmosphere of Qing court music with modern festive performances through 31 audio channels and kinetic installations. It even includes a special sound installation performance every half an hour.

No modern-day museum is complete these days without world-class dining options and a well-stocked gift shop. Hong Kong Palace Museum has numerous options from the high-end King Lung Heen offering fine dining Cantonese cuisine to the very accessible Chinese teahouse, Xia. Their gift shop, ART EXPRESS by The Commercial Press is a treasure trove of Chinese cultural gift ideas from ornamental trinkets to coffee table books.

https://www.hkpm.org.hk/en/home

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Lai Ching Heen: Is this the best Cantonese restaurant in Hong Kong?

Regent Hong Kong Hotel recently reopened after their most extensive renovations in three decades. Their prime location on the Victoria Harbour waterfront has always meant it is a beloved institution by locals and tourists alike. It is the perfect location to catch the daily light and sound show, ‘A Symphony of Lights’ or the New Year’s Eve fireworks. It was always regarded as one of the big three hotels in Hong Kong along with The Peninsula and Mandarin Oriental.

Their in-house Cantonese restaurant which stayed open during the renovation, Lai Ching Heen is a world-class institution that has been showered with countless accolades from two Michelin stars to two diamonds in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide. The dishes they offer are often Cantonese culinary treasures given a contemporary update. The decor is the definition of refined elegance. There are touches of gold and jade throughout the restaurant down to your place settings but the designs are never garish or forceful. Most guests will be more distracted by the floor-to-ceiling window showcasing a dynamic view of Victoria Harbour.

Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai has over three decades of experience working with the hotel. Whilst head chef, Cheng Man Sang has worked with the executive chef for over two decades. What you get with their kitchen team is expertise married with innovation. The hotel has given them the platform to evolve the cuisine and always bring new ideas to the dining table.

Their ‘Premier Delicacy’ dinner menu is the showcase offering where you can taste their greatest hits and the immense variety of Cantonese cuisine. You’ll get to try Hokkaido scallops which are very much akin to their Orkney counterpart known for their clean, sweet taste. Their barbecue pork ‘char siu’ with honey is arguably the best version you’ll find in Hong Kong with the perfect ratio of meat to fat served up with an irresistible sweetness. Their clear Chinese soup offering is something you rarely encounter in the UK or Europe. Double-boiled fish maw with sea whelk and russula mushroom soup might sound exotic, but the ingredients provide countless benefits. For example, russula is used in Chinese medicine to treat liver and eye conditions.

The eye-catchers on their menu are undoubtedly the steamed lobster with tofu and crabmeat roe and braised whole abalone in oyster jus. The former is one of the most perfectly executed dishes on their menu. The tender, firm, succulent lobster meat injects the silky smooth tofu with both sweet and umami flavours. Any element that is over or undercooked would significantly impact the dish. Abalone is the definition of luxury in Cantonese restaurants and it’s still very much a delicacy waiting to be discovered by the Western world. Their version at the restaurant is a Japanese fresh abalone that has been braised and served in an oyster jus.

At Lai Ching Heen, you get to sample the finest of wagyu beef. Their set menu offers beef from Kagoshima, which produces more wagyu than any other prefecture in Japan. It is the epicentre of the country’s beef industry. Their wok-fried Kagoshima wagyu has a firm appearance on the outside, but a buttery soft tenderness on the inside. It is presented with an onion ring, peppers, lily bulbs and garlic. It is ideally paired with their fried rice wrapped in a lotus leaf to offer extra fragrant aromas.

Cantonese desserts are a hugely underrated gem. When executed well, they are more than a match with the finest crème brûlées and pastel de natas of this world. Their baked sago and custard cream pudding is similar to a rice pudding but littered with addictively chewy sago pearls. And their taro paste with black and white sesame roll is the perfect way to end a meal with subtle nuttiness and sweetness that will send you away from the restaurant with a satisfied grin.

Please note, they do have a dress code – smart elegant: closed-toed shoes, sleeved shirts and long trousers are required for gentlemen.

Lai Ching Heen

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Hong Kong: Feel the serenity of the Big Buddha

This year is the 30th anniversary of the installation of the Big Buddha in Hong Kong, officially known as the Tian Tan Buddha. It’s a must-visit destination for any tourist visiting the enclave, whether they are religious or not. Taking 12 years to plan and build by the Po Lin Monastery, its architectural magnificence has been admired the world over. It might be on the same island as the local airport and Disneyland but you get a sense of what Lantau Island is about when you visit the Big Buddha. The mountainous greenery with breathtaking hiking trails is a far cry from the shopping mecca images frequently used to portray Hong Kong.

Getting to the Big Buddha might seem like a pilgrimage, but is remarkably straightforward especially if you opt for the Ngong Ping Cable Car rather than the winding bus routes through the island. It is an adventurous 25-minute journey ride. They offer crystal cabins with a glass bottom which offer uninterrupted views of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Big Buddha. Once you get off, it’s a 10-minute walk to the monastery.

During the walk, you pass through Ngong Ping Village, a quaint revival of traditional Cantonese villages. You can sample traditional delicacies like egg waffles. You can purchase local handy crafts like Chinese opera accessories and masks. There are multimedia and immersive experiences like the art of chocolate making and a 5-D theatre suitable for the whole family.

The Big Buddha is the second-largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha statue in the world. The statue is 34 metres tall and you’ll need to ascend 268 steps to the base of the statue for a closer inspection. It is well worth the hike as you get splendid views of the verdant scenery surrounding the iconic structure. And if you are methodical, you’ll notice many famous faces having their final resting place including famed Cantonese pop star, Anita Mui.

The Big Buddha Statue was voted as the fourth of the 10 Engineering Wonders in Hong Kong in 2000. The first three were all government works projects. Top of the list is the Lantau Link followed by the Hong Kong International Airport Passenger Terminal, and in third place is the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Extension. In terms of private projects, the Big Buddha statue came out on top.

If you want to escape the hectic city life, the monastery runs a 1-week mediation retreat held on the final week of the first lunar month. Leading monks will lead attendees on meditative walks and also there will be discussions about Zen Buddhism. It will especially help you with achieving clarity of mind if you are lacking focus or are easily distracted.

Chinese cuisine is not always known as the most vegetarian friendly but you can try exceptional Buddhist vegetarian dishes at the monastery. Dishes are designed to cleanse the body and the soul and might include steamed bean curd with olive leaf and asparagus with exotic mushrooms and cashew. There is also a snack shop next to the restaurant for those looking for a quick bite. You can sample the delights of bean curd dessert and glutinous rice dumplings filled with mango. The bean curd is made daily in-house and is known to be especially silky-smooth and inviting. Most of the items are prepared in small quantities and often do sell out.

Apart from the Big Buddha statue itself, there are plenty of other spectacles to behold such as the grand hall of ten thousand Buddhas and the main shrine hall of Buddha. Both of which are extremely busy, especially on religious days. There are plenty of garden areas for people to enjoy all the wonderful outdoor spaces such as the orchid garden and the bauhinia park. There is also the wisdom path, which is an installation of 38 wooden structures carved with the complete verses of the Heart Sutra, written by master calligrapher Jao Tsung-I.

https://plm.org.hk/eng/home.php

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Lan Kwai Fong: The beating heart of Hong Kong’s nightlife scene

Lan Kwai Fong has become synonymous with the nightlife scene of Hong Kong over the years. However, this wasn’t the case until 1983 when Allan Zeman famously opened California Restaurant on a narrow alleyway in this forgotten part of the Central district. Before that time, it was dominated by flower shops and warehouses but Allan had the vision to see the potential of the area. By 1984, Allan had bought the entire block and launched his career as a property mogul and a hospitality specialist. He reportedly owns 65% of properties in the Lan Kwai Fong area. His impeccable business acumen has seen him involved in wide-ranging industries from TVB (the ITV equivalent in Hong Kong), the Airport Authority of Hong Kong and Wynn Macau. He is currently the chairman of LKF Group whilst his son, Jonathan Zemen is the CEO.

The district is the place to be for all kinds of celebrations from Halloween to New Year’s Eve. Whilst people associate the countdown in New York with Times Square, locals and tourists alike gravitate towards Lan Kwai Fong on New Year’s Eve. Apart from being a major landlord in the area, they own some of the most distinguished restaurants in the area. The eclectic choices on offer have been the key to their success. In such a small radius, you’ll find the very best steakhouse in the city, the freshest sashimi dishes and restaurants with breathtaking views of the city.

In Hong Kong, it’s always been about sourcing the very best ingredients rather than local produce, being a tiny island in the South China Sea. At Porterhouse, you can savour full-blood wagyu from Mayura, Australia to extremely well-marbled, Rubia Gallega from Los Nortenos, Spain. Their legendary seafood brunch is unrivalled with unlimited oysters, Boston lobster and Irish crab. No other country executes buffets quite like Hong Kong and this is one of the most spectacular, you’ll encounter.

If you want to admire the scintillating skyline of Hong Kong, a top choice to consider is dining at Aria on the 24/F of California Tower. With floor-to-ceiling glass, an outdoor terrace and a trendy mixture of contemporary and art-deco touches, this is the place to see and be seen. You won’t be surprised to find the operatic nature of the restaurant name has inspired a menu filled with elevated Italian classics. Melanzane alla puttanesca and spaghettoni all’Amatriciana are all created from traditional family-style recipes but presented for 21st-century consumption. They have a wine club series in the coming months focusing on wines from different regions of Italy. In May, it will be Marche, in June, it will be Lazio and in July, it will be Tuscany. You’ll get to explore wineries that are hidden gems whilst dining on the finest Italian produce at this ever-popular restaurant.

Japanese food is undoubtedly still all the rage in Hong Kong. And the LKF Group have three distinguished offerings: Fumi – Japanese kaiseki, Tokio Joe – sushi & sake and Kyoto Joe – modern izakaya. Tokio Joe is particularly worthy of a mention. It is THE original Japanese restaurant of Lan Kwai Fong having been opened since 1995. It is one of the first restaurants in Hong Kong to offer an omakase menu. Their sashimi platters offer delicacies which you’ll rarely experience in Europe such as succulent Hokkaido sea urchin and akagai (red clam). They do frequently launch new products to be in tune with the times. Kyoto Joe offers an unlimited vegetarian feast which includes the likes of cauliflower tempura and yam sushi rolls. They also offer a decadent-sounding A4 Wagyu & lobster tasting menu dinner.

Lan Kwai Fong has developed into a cultural phenomenon with the likes of the Lan Kwai Fong beer and music festival. They’ve also expanded their brand into China with LKF Chengdu and LKF852 Prince Bay. They are most definitely one of the most exciting companies to have evolved in Hong Kong over the past decades and one to watch as the expansion plans are limitless.

https://www.lkfgroup.com/

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Hong Kong is Art Central

There is nothing that quite says “Hong Kong is back” like the flurry of international exhibitions that has been hitting the town in recent months. The biggest of which is Art Central, a key cornerstone of Hong Kong Art Week that is happening at the end of March. This showcase event is in its eighth year and on display are the next generation of artists from the brightest and the best of Asia. It is also their largest gallery lineup since 2019.

Art Central

Discover the Unparalleled Artistic Offerings at Art Central

There will be 37 cutting-edge galleries from Hong Kong including the likes of Contemporary by Angela Li and Square Street Gallery, 60 renowned galleries from Asia such as 021gallery (Daegu) and K Gallery (Chendu), and 12 galleries handpicked from the rest of the world including MARC STRAUS (New York), VETA by Fer Francés (Madrid), and Guns & Rain (Johannesburg).

There are large-scale, immersive installations like Glows in the Night by Yang Yongliang. It will be a video artwork to be presented on an eye-catching scaled LED installation of 18 metres. Yang has a background in Chinese paintings, so he will use his knowledge to reconstruct and recompose urban images in the style of historic Chinese paintings. Ecological issues caused by urbanisation, commercialisation and consumerism are raised in a thought-provoking manner.

There is a ground-breaking group exhibition, Blue Throat – Start the Churning. It places the spotlight on sixteen Hong Kong artists. They articulate through their work the relationship between the individual and the collective, self and the modern world through the lens of art in the contemporary society of Hong Kong.

Exploring Themes of Displacement, Discovery, and Survival

A significant portion of Art Central is devoted to performance art. Three performance artists will deliver a series of intimate flows of movement that focuses on the themes of displacement, personal discovery, and survival. For example, Kensa Hung and Kiwi Chan will be exploring the theme of homelessness with their piece, Pack/Unpack. They will play out a contrasting performance of opposing actions in a journey of what it means to pack and unpack. Particularly poignant is the work of Natasha Cheung who draws from her overseas background living as part of the Chinese diaspora in She Taut. She highlights key elements of her identity that have built up over the years in her survival as a queer, Chinese woman. Themes that are touched on in the recent Oscar-winning film, Everything Everywhere all at once.

Nurturing Future Artists

Central to the philosophy of Art Central is inspiring the artists of the future so they have a wide-ranging educational programme that engages all ages during the fair. There will be educational tours, talks and workshops that are free of charge to Art Central ticketholders. The activities vary from workshops that are suitable for children from 4 to in-depth one-hour talks from featured artists which are aimed at university students. Art Central’s Children’s Education Partner, Art Loop, will be offering a unique hour-long immersion course with an art workshop and guided tour aimed at children aged 4 to 12 years old. Whilst the fair’s talk programme, not only includes artists but also collectors, academia, and leaders at art institutions. Art Central will be running small guided tours of the fair twice daily on a first-come first served basis.

Explore Contemporary Art from Anywhere in the World

You can take part even if you are not visiting Hong Kong this month through their exclusive online partner, Artsy. It is the largest global online marketplace for buying, selling and discovering art by preeminent artists. The commercial digital platform will feature handpicked works from each exhibiting gallery, thus they can showcase their virtual booths to a global audience.

Since its inaugural edition in 2015, Art Central has been growing from strength to strength. It is constantly pushing the boundaries of contemporary art, especially for the Chinese market. It is universally recognised as the place to visit for collectors and curators representing private, corporate, and institutional collections worldwide.

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Living the high life at The Murray Hong Kong

Originally built in 1969 by British architect Ronald Phillips, The Murray has been an icon in Hong Kong’s for more than fifty years, winning many awards for its unique energy-efficient design. For countless Hong Kong locals, its white concrete structure and distinct arches have become a landmark in the city’s the bustling central business district.

It makes sense then, that the city put in the time to restore The Murray to its former glory. The hotel is part of the government’s Conserving Central Project, which launched back in January this year. A project that was launched with the aim of preserving Hong kong’s many architectural treasures. Today, design firm Foster + Partners has given the Murray a new lease on life, as a luxurious urban sanctuary set right in the heart of the city’s central business district. Part of the stylish new luxury hotel group, Niccolo Hotels, The Murray has since been named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Great Places in 2018; reflecting the group’s dedication to impeccable service. Spanning 25 floors and with 336 spacious rooms, a wrap-around rooftop bar, panoramic views of Hong Kong’s ever-changing skyline, as well as the lush green oasis of Hong Kong Park – the Murray is perfect for a stylish stay in one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities.

The minds at Foster + Partners really did an amazing job at preserving the history of the building, whilst simultaneously making it a breathtaking modern sanctuary. Bathed in natural light, every corner of The Murray exudes a subtle kind of elegance. A nuanced mix of wood, leather, and Italian Calcutta marble, is balanced by an array of sumptuous textures. Check out their beautiful rooftop restaurant, Popinjays, for some authentic cuisine and unforgettable views of the city. The word Popinjays was once a term assigned to the colourful cockatoos on Garden Road and in Hong Kong’s botanical gardens. Set in a purpose build glass pavilion on the rooftop and with KAWS artwork adoring the walls — the Popinjay is as stylish as you can get and is Hong Kong’s buzziest new lifestyle destination.

According to Luke Fox, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, “On our very first visit to the site, we were inspired by the panoramic views from The Peak to the harbour from the rooftop of the Murray Building,We sought to capitalise on the unique location of The Murray by relocating the services to other unobtrusive locations within the building, and creating an extraordinary setting for Popinjays that embraces the intense urbanity and unique topography of Hong Kong.”

And if you really want to splash out, why not check into the Murray’s newly launched luxury suites? Occupying the 23rdfloor of the hotel, each suits is modelled after an indulgent private residence — and is the ultimate suite for literally living the high-life in Hong Kong.

For more information on The Murray, please visit The Murray

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