Proudly supported by Bank of China (Hong Kong), the HKPM’s Strategic Partner, the 9.5-month landmark exhibition is the largest, most comprehensive, and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian treasures in Hong Kong, featuring 250 masterpieces that span 5,000 years.
The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum) today unveiled the highly anticipated special exhibition “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums” (“Ancient Egypt Unveiled”), which opens to the public on the 20 November 2025 and runs through 31 August 2026 in Gallery 9. Jointly organised by the HKPM and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) of Egypt, “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” is the largest, most comprehensive, and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian treasures in Hong Kong. This destination exhibition is proudly supported by Bank of China (Hong Kong), the Museum’s Strategic Partner, with Cathay and UnionPay International as the Major Sponsors.
Running for a duration of nine and a half months, “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” features 250 spectacular works from seven major Egyptian museums and the latest archaeological finds. These carefully selected masterpieces, such as the only extant monumental stone sculpture of the legendary pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypt, are comparable in quality and rarity to the works on display at the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum. Featuring loans solely owned by the SCA of Egypt, this exhibition will be Hong Kong’s first major showcase of treasures sourced directly from Egyptian museums. Most treasures on show are making their debut tour outside of Egypt.
“Ancient Egypt Unveiled” is the fruition of the collaboration between the HKPM and the SCA of Egypt, following their signing of an agreement in June this year. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt in 2026, the exhibition exemplifies a shared commitment to cultural exchange and partnership between two of the world’s greatest ancient civilisations.
The opening ceremony was held today at the HKPM, attended by Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); H.E. Yomna El-Bahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Hua You, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR; Bernard Charnwut Chan, Chairman of the Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA); Dr Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General, Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt; Leo Kung, Chairman of the HKPM Board; Baher Sheweikhi, Consul-General of Egypt in Hong Kong and Macau; Stephen Chan, Deputy Chief Executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong); Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA); Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM; Edward Bell, General Manager, Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications of Cathay; and Roger Lee, Vice President of UnionPay International (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Region).
Bernard Charnwut Chan, Chairman of the WKCDA Board, said, “The Hong Kong Palace Museum’s exceptional collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt marks a milestone for the West Kowloon Cultural District. The HKPM is a perfect venue for this destination exhibition, given the Museum’s vital role in advancing dialogue among world civilisations, fostering international partnerships, and presenting the best of Chinese and global art. Since its opening in July 2022, the HKPM has organised nearly 30 internationally acclaimed exhibitions in partnership with top-tier museums and collections around the globe. Through our close collaboration with the SCA of Egypt, we eagerly anticipate that Hong Kong’s first major showcase of treasures from Egyptian museums will captivate and inspire both local residents and visitors coming from near and far.”
H.E. Yomna El-Bahar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt, said, “‘Ancient Egypt Unveiled’ is not only a meeting of civilisations, but a living conversation between Egypt’s timeless legacy and the city of Hong Kong. Through our collaboration with the Hong Kong Palace Museum, we celebrate the power of cultural heritage to unite people, inspire dialogue, and remind the world that history is a bridge—not a boundary.”
Stephen Chan, Deputy Chief Executive, Bank of China (Hong Kong), said, “As a strategic partner of Hong Kong Palace Museum, Bank of China (Hong Kong) is honoured to support this special exhibition. The timing of the exhibition is especially significant as we approach a historic milestone of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Egypt next year. This exhibition powerfully embodies the spirit of the Global Civilisation Initiative which promotes dialogue, coexistence and mutual learning among different civilisations. As a leading commercial and regional banking group in Hong Kong, we firmly believe that economic development and cultural prosperity go hand in hand. Our sponsorship of this exhibition is part of our commitment to supporting the Hong Kong SAR Government’s mega-events economy. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with partners across all sectors to further strengthen Hong Kong’s cultural ties with countries along the Belt and Road, bring people together, and advance international cultural cooperation, thus supporting Hong Kong’s development as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”
A once-in-a-lifetime journey through five millennia of ancient Egyptian civilisation, featuring its spectacular treasures and the latest archaeological discoveries
Spanning nearly 5,000 years of history dated to around 4000 BCE, “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” is organised into four thematic sections, each presenting a dazzling array of treasures, including over 60 magnificent statues of pharaohs and deities, painted and inscribed stone stelae, eight animal mummies, seven mummy coffins, mummy masks, glittering gold and gemstone-encrusted jewellery pieces, and everyday objects*. Beyond the gallery space, three large stone sculptures of pharaoh Merenptah, princess Shepenwepet II, and goddess Iunit greet our visitors and enliven the Museum’s public spaces.
The first section “The Land of Pharaohs” introduces ancient Egyptian civilisation with a focus on pharaohs and deities, the search for the afterlife, and everyday life. Monumental statues and stelae of powerful pharaohs, symbolising their divine kingship, remain across the landscape today. Ancient Egyptians transformed their awe and observations of nature into a vast belief system and a pantheon of deities reflecting their concepts of the creation of the world and its political order. A core belief of the ancient Egyptians was the eternal afterlife, illustrated through objects such as painted wooden coffins and other funerary objects. Everyday objects have much to tell us about what ancient Egyptians ate, how they dressed, where they lived, and how they got around.
The second section “The World of Tutankhamun” takes a focused look at the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun (r. about 1336–1327 BCE), who is shrouded in mystery. His reign was deliberately erased from history by his successors, and his name was forgotten for 3,000 years until the 1922 discovery of his tomb in the Valley of the Kings that brought him back to light. Tutankhamun’s tomb is one of the very few found largely intact and yielded thousands of rare treasures. He lived during the late 18th Dynasty (about 1550–1295 BCE), a complex and turbulent era; the statues of Tutankhamun and his family members reflect the political and religious upheavals of the time. Nonetheless, this same era witnessed the flourishing of arts and craftsmanship, reaching an unprecedented peak in fields such as goldworking, faience, furniture, painting, and sculpture.
The third section “The Secrets of Saqqara” presents nearly 40 recently unearthed objects and zooms in on the earthshattering excavation work in Saqqara, which served as the main burial ground of Memphis, ancient Egypt’s earliest capital, and a religious centre dotted with temples. It was home to the most extensive sacred animal necropolis in ancient Egypt, containing the burials of millions of animal mummies. Archaeological work in Saqqara has unearthed a large number of important objects, including painted anthropoid coffins. This site is one of the world’s top ten archaeological discoveries in 2019 and 2020. On show in this section are seven cat mummies and six artefacts related to Bastet, a goddess often depicted with a cat-headed human form.
The last section “Ancient Egypt and the World” explores cultural dialogues between ancient Egypt and other world civilisations. During the Graeco-Roman Period (332 BCE–395 CE), cultural exchanges between ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean region increased significantly. The juxtaposition of ancient Chinese and Egyptian objects illustrates the splendid achievements of these two great ancient civilisations as they flourished in parallel. This section concludes with an overview of Egypt’s archaeological history and the recent collaboration between China and Egypt in archaeology.
Enhancing visitor experience with original contents and educational programmes
Combining fresh design approaches and cutting-edge digital technologies, the exhibition features over ten original multimedia installations, both inside and outside the gallery, to bring magnificent treasures and the stories of Egypt to life. One transformative installation employs projection mapping technology to reconstruct the damaged sculpture of Tutankhamun and virtually restore its once brilliant but now lost colours. On the Museum’s LG/F, 1/F and 4/F, visitors are invited to further explore ancient Egyptian history, language, and architecture through our engaging digital stations and interactive learning activities.
The HKPM has also designed a range of family-oriented, innovative educational programmes for this special exhibition, including interactive and hands-on workshops and performances. Highlights include the Little Pharaohs Family Workshop and Tour, Discover Pyramid Workshop, and Create Your Own Cat Temple Workshop. The Museum will feature leading folk dance masters from Egypt in a special Egyptian dance performance on 22 November as part of Bank of China (Hong Kong) Presents: HKPM SHOWTIME!
An exhibition catalogue titled “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums”, an abridged guidebook and other publications are available in both English and Chinese at the museum shops. An audio tour in English, Cantonese, and Putonghua designed by a renowned Egyptologist exclusively for this exhibition equips visitors with an indispensable tool to explore over 20 highlights in this exhibition. Regular or on-demand tours led by curators or docents are available to the general public and students alike.
To celebrate the opening of “Ancient Egypt Unveiled”, Professor Yan Haiying of Peking University, guest lead curator of this exhibition, will give a talk on her archaeological work in Egypt on 19 November at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Auditorium of the HKPM. Dr Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General, Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, will also deliver a special talk about the recent development of archaeology and museums in Egypt, followed by a conversation moderated by Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM on 20 November at the Museum. Both talks will be live-streamed via the HKPM’s WeChat video account. Please visit the Museum's website for event details and registration.
Over 140 items of original exhibition merchandise are available at expanded new stories
Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of Egypt's ancient past, the Museum has created over 140 items of themed merchandise**, including blind boxes, plush bag charms, tote bags, soft toys, stationery, and co-branded home and body items in collaboration with lifestyle brand Rituals.
In addition to Art Express on G/F of the Museum, two new pop-up stores will be open: one outside the Palace Academy on LG/F and another outside Gallery 9 on 4/F. These stores will offer the full range of exclusive exhibition merchandise, inviting visitors to discover and bring home the wonders of ancient Egypt.
Exclusive ticket bundles and museum membership benefits await
“Ancient Egypt Unveiled” Special Exhibition Tickets, which grant access to all thematic exhibitions in Galleries 1–7 and this special exhibition (Gallery 9), are priced at HK$190 for adults and HK$95 for concessions†. Full Access Tickets, priced at HK$230 for adults and HK$115 for concessions†, include access to the thematic exhibitions (Gallery 1–7) and special exhibitions (Gallery 8 and 9). Tickets are available now for purchase through the HKPM website, the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK) website or mobile app, the online ticketing platform Cityline, and the online platforms of the Museum’s ticketing partners.
†Concessions are available to children aged 7 to 11, full-time students, seniors aged 60 and above, persons with disabilities (with one companion), and CSSA recipients. Free entry for children aged 6 and under.
To welcome the opening of the special exhibition, the HKPM is introducing various discount packages. Please visit the Museum's website for more details.
- Family Ticket Combos with discounts of up to 20%: a 2-person set (1 Adult + 1 Child aged 7-11) priced at HK$240 (original price: HK$285), and a 3-person set (2 Adults + 1 Child aged 7-11), priced at HK$380 (original price: HK$475).
- A “Blind Box + Full Access Flex Ticket” Combo ticket package (HK$368) which includes one Full Access Flex Adult ticket^ and an ancient Egypt-inspired blind box featuring collectibles designed for this exhibition. The blind box series features six different designs; each contains a plush bag charm with iconic characters inspired by ancient Egyptian symbolism, such as pharaohs, mummies, and canopic jars#.
^ Flex Adult tickets are valid for single admission during museum opening hours in a specified month.
# The modern designs of the collectibles are inspired by, but not replicas of, ancient artefacts. The collectibles are produced by the Hong Kong Palace Museum for educational and promotional purposes.
Visitors can now pre-book a place in a 45 to 60-minute public guided tour led by a docent of this special exhibition for HK$340 per adult or HK$170 per concession†; or a 60-minute public guided tour led by an exhibition curator of this special exhibition or a Egyptologist for HK$900 per adult or HK$450 per concession†, with both options inclusive of the “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” Special Exhibition Ticket. Places are limited, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
From now until 30 November 2025, new, returning, and renewing members of HKPM Friends will receive a special-edition plush bag charm. As a unique collectible to HKPM Friends, this not-for-sale item will add a delightful touch to the membership experience. Additionally, they will enjoy exclusive merchandise and food and beverage discounts. Please visit the Museum's website for more details.
Notes:
* All loaned ancient Egyptian artefacts are the inalienable property of the Arab Republic of Egypt and are presented on temporary loan by the SCA.
**The modern designs of the collectibles are inspired by, but not replicas of, ancient artefacts. The collectibles are produced by the Hong Kong Palace Museum for educational and promotional purposes.
All images of artefacts are © Supreme Council of Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Reproduction, distribution, cropping, or framing of these images is only permissible with prior written approval from the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, in coordination with the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
Remarks
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
Through innovative curatorial approaches, the Hong Kong Palace Museum presents priceless treasures from The Palace Museum along with the finest collections from other world-renowned institutions. The Museum is also in the process of building its own world-class collection. Opened in 2022, the Museum is a leading institution for the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture and the promotion of dialogue among world civilisations. The Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and The Palace Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust made a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023–2032.
Through research, exhibitions, publications, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum builds international partnerships and positions Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. A resource that belongs to the local community, the Museum inspires community engagement, fosters dialogue, and promotes creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK)
WestK is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural hubs in the world and Hong Kong’s new cultural tourism landmark, spanning 40 hectares alongside Victoria Harbour. WestK comprises a mix of landmark arts and cultural facilities, including world-class museums M+ and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, intricately designed performing arts venues the Xiqu Centre and Freespace, the 11-hectare Art Park with a waterfront promenade, and the upcoming WestK Performing Arts Centre.
Hosting over 1,000 exhibitions, performances, programmes, and events each year, WestK provides a vital platform for both emerging and established artists. WestK welcomes more than 10 million visitors each year, evolving as the international cultural brand of Hong Kong and strengthening the city’s strategic role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.
https://www.westk.hk
