MTR Corporation and the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM or the Museum) have joined hands on a cross-sector collaboration to launch the “T Chai x Pharaoh Cat: A Journey into Ancient Egypt” thematic showcase starting today (28 May) till end of August.1 MTR’s mascot “T Chai” transforms into a pharaoh and joins the HKPM’s beloved “Pharaoh Cat” from the “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums” (“Ancient Egypt Unveiled”) special exhibition at nine MTR stations and malls to curate a citywide cultural discovery route. Extending the museum experience into the community, the initiative invites the public to embark on a cultural journey spanning 5,000 years of ancient Egypt civilisation.
As the cradle of ancient Egyptian civilisation, the Nile not only nurtured the growth of civilisation, but also served as a vital transportation artery connecting different places. Inspired by the Nile, this campaign links multiple MTR stations and malls into a cultural discovery route. By weaving the legendary river of civilisation into the MTR network, the journey invites the public to move from stop to stop and gradually uncover the mystery and charm of ancient Egyptian culture, while fostering cultural tourism.
Immersive ancient Egyptian temple experience debuts at MTR Hong Kong Station
The "T Chai x Pharaoh Cat: A Journey into Ancient Egypt" thematic showcase begins at Hong Kong Station, which has been transformed for a limited period into an ancient Egyptian temple scene from 28 May to 28 June. Guided by 1.4-metre-tall “Pharaoh T Chai” and “Pharaoh Cat”, visitors are led into a themed train compartment and a giant pyramid installation, travelling in an instant from a modern MTR station back to ancient Egypt. An on-site interactive hieroglyph installation also allows participants to convert their names into ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, offering a hands-on encounter with the unique charm of ancient Egyptian writing.
Inviting the public to explore stories of ancient Egypt across nine stops in the city
“Pharaoh T Chai”, together with “Pharaoh Cat” in different designs inspired by treasured artefacts, will accompany the public on a journey across nine stops, including Hong Kong Station, Admiralty Station, Central Station, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, Hung Hom Station, Kowloon Tong Station and Kowloon Bay Station, as well as two MTR malls — ELEMENTS and Maritime Square — linking together to form a citywide cultural discovery route. At Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, High Speed Rail’s Captain Go also makes a special appearance in a pharaoh-inspired outfit, joining the majestic Tutankhamun Pharaoh Cat to welcome passengers. Accompanied by Radio Host Bonnie Wong (Ah Jeng)’s audio narration, each stop brings to life a cast of themed characters and cultural stories, inviting the public to explore the route, capture moments and discover the connections between ancient Egyptian civilisation and local communities.
The campaign also extends to Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint Station on Shenzhen Metro Line 13 and Mission Hills Station on Line 4, where MTR Corporation participates in the operations. Themed installations and photo spots invite cross-boundary travellers and Shenzhen residents to take part in this encounter with ancient Egyptian civilisation.
Miss Linda Choy, Corporate Affairs and Branding Director of MTR Corporation, said, “MTR is part of people’s everyday journeys and daily lives, connecting communities across the city. We are delighted to collaborate with the Hong Kong Palace Museum to bring the wonders of ancient Egyptian civilisation into the community. When Pharaoh T Chai meets the Pharaoh Cat, this new paring not only adds fun to every journey, but also encourages the public and visitors to explore different MTR stations and malls along this cultural discovery route, rediscover the mysterious charm of ancient Egyptian civilisation, and bring new colour to their journeys.”
Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with MTR Corporation on this joint initiative, which extends the Museum’s exhibition experience from the galleries to different corners of the city through MTR’s extensive railway and mall network. Through the imaginative journey of Pharaoh T Chai and Pharaoh Cat, treasured ancient Egyptian artefacts in the exhibition are thoughtfully connected with the stories of communities around various MTR stations and malls, bringing a civilisation spanning millennia closer to local audiences and visitors from around the world. We are grateful to MTR for bringing together multiple MTR stations, Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, MTR malls, as well as Shenzhen Metro Lines 4 and 13 in this joint initiative. We warmly invite the public to visit the Museum after exploring this unique cultural discovery route and experience the brilliance and grandeur of ancient Egyptian civilisation up close.”
“Pharaoh T Chai x Pharaoh Cat” limited-edition souvenirs extend the journey and preserve the memories
MTR and the HKPM are jointly launching a range of limited-edition souvenirs that blend ancient Egyptian cultural elements with railway features, making them highly collectible. A key highlight is the “Pharaoh T Chai x Pharaoh Cat” limited-edition gift set, which includes plush key charms of Pharaoh T Chai and Pharaoh Cat, together with decorative accessories such as a train captain name badge and a mosaic-style key charm for added collecting fun. The gift box will be available for public redemption purchase. Also available are limited-edition not-for-sale special fan designs featuring Pharaoh Cat, Pharaoh T Chai and Pharaoh High Speed Rail Captain which can be redeemed upon designated spending, each with distinctive design.
From 28 May onwards, the public and visitors are invited to join “Pharaoh T Chai” and “Pharaoh Cat”, travelling across nine stations and MTR malls to embark on an ancient Egyptian adventure spanning 5,000 years and uncover the mysterious imprints of ancient Egypt. Participants can also take part in an “exploration mission” by collecting digital badges via MTR Mobile, while seizing the final opportunity to visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum’s “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” exhibition. By experiencing millennia-old artefacts up close, this dialogue across time and space promises to become one of the most memorable city explorations of the year.
In addition, MTR is launching a special package that combines admission to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, a round-trip Airport Express ticket (between the Airport and Kowloon Station), and an Adult Tourist Day Pass, offering visitors an enhanced travel experience. Meanwhile, MTR Mobile members can redeem exhibition tickets for “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” Exhibition with MTR Points. For more information, please refer to announcements on MTR Mobile.
Visitors can sign up, rejoin, or renew as HKPM Friends members via electronic payment at Hong Kong Station’s Living Art Stage or Maritime Square starting from today. Each member will receive either an exclusive special-edition plush bag charm or a pharaoh cat luggage tag^@ on the spot. In addition, a pop-up shop will operate at Maritime Square on weekends and public holidays, offering a variety of the Museum’s popular merchandise of “Ancient Egypt Unveiled”, including plush bag charms featuring the Black Cat, blind boxes, folders and postcards.
Jointly organised by the HKPM and the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” is the largest, most comprehensive, and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian treasures in Hong Kong. Proudly supported by Bank of China (Hong Kong), the Museum’s Strategic Partner, with Cathay and UnionPay International as the Major Sponsors, the exhibition has welcomed over 430,000 visitors to date and is entering its final countdown, running until 31 August.
1 The thematic showcase at Hong Kong Station and Admiralty Station will last till 28 June.
^ As the collectibles for HKPM Friends, the plush bag charm and pharaoh cat luggage tag are not-for-sale items. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
@ Each family membership is entitled to redeem a maximum of one Pharaoh Cat luggage tag.
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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/
About MTR Corporation
To Keep Cities Moving, MTR makes encounters happen and rendezvous for a more connected tomorrow. As a recognised world-class operator of sustainable rail transport services, we are a leader in safety, reliability, customer service and efficiency.
MTR has extensive end-to-end railway expertise with over 45 years of railway projects experience from design to planning and construction through to commissioning, maintenance and operations. Going beyond railway delivery and operation, MTR also creates and manages dynamic communities around its network through seamless integration of rail, commercial and property development.
With more than 46,000 dedicated staff*, MTR carries over 13 million passenger journeys worldwide every weekday in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland and beyond. Together, we Go Smart and Go Beyond.
For more information about MTR Corporation, please visit www.mtr.com.hk.
*includes our subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures in Hong Kong and worldwide
