Hong Kong’s first comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship of the Islamic world and its cultural exchange with China over the centuries
The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) and the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) in Doha, Qatar, a part of Qatar Museums, today jointly unveiled the new special exhibition “Wonders of Imperial Carpets: Masterpieces from the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha” (“Wonders of Imperial Carpets”), which will be open to the public from 18 June to 6 October 2025. The first major Islamic art exhibition held in Hong Kong, “Wonders of Imperial Carpets” delves into the exceptional artistry and craftsmanship of the Safavid dynasty (1501–1736), Mughal dynasty (1526–1857), and Ottoman dynasty (1299–1923), as well as the dynamic interactions between the Islamic and Chinese civilisations. Jointly organised by the HKPM and MIA, the special exhibition presents 90 exquisite works, including carpets, ceramics, metalwork, illuminated manuscripts, and jades. The exhibits are primarily from the MIA collection, complemented by precious objects from the Palace Museum and the HKPM. The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong is the community partner of this exhibition.
The opening ceremony was held today at the HKPM, officiated by Leo Kung, Chairman of the HKPM Board; Sheikha Noora Khalifa Al-Thani, Consul General of the State of Qatar in Hong Kong; Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, Director of the MIA; Saeed Uddin, Chairman of The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong; Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA); and Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM.
Leo Kung, Chairman of the HKPM Board, said, “The HKPM is committed to promoting international cultural exchange and will present three special exhibitions in the second half of 2025 showcasing the marvels of world civilisations, reinforcing the Museum’s role as a platform for cultural exchange. The “Wonders of Imperial Carpets” exhibition reflects the spirit of connectivity established through centuries of artistic and cultural interaction between China and the Islamic world. We hope to inspire our visitors from around the world to join us in this journey of mutual learning and appreciation.”
Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, Director, Museum of Islamic Art, said, “We are honoured to partner with the Hong Kong Palace Museum to bring some of the finest treasures from the Museum of Islamic Art to audiences in this vibrant cultural hub. “Wonders of Imperial Carpets” not only showcases the extraordinary craftsmanship of Islamic art, but also highlights the deep and enduring cultural exchanges between the Islamic world and China. We hope this exhibition will cultivate greater appreciation of the artistic and historical connections that unite different cultures across time and geography.”
“Wonders of Imperial Carpets” is one of the key collaborative achievements following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the HKPM and Qatar Museums during the inaugural Hong Kong International Cultural Summit organised by WKCDA last year. The exhibition forms part of the lasting legacy of the Years of Culture initiative, a year-long programme of collaborations between Qatar and partner regions that seeks to nurture mutual respect and understanding by building long-term cultural, social, and economic ties.
A memorable journey to explore marvellous treasures of Islamic art, including 15 spectacular carpets
The term “Islamic art” refers to all art—religious and secular—created in historical Islamic domains. Divided into four sections, “Wonders of Imperial Carpets” showcases artistic treasures from the Safavid, Mughal, and Ottoman dynasties and traces cultural exchanges between the Islamic world and China since the tenth century. Among the 90 exquisite works on display, 77 come from the MIA’s renowned permanent collection, many of which are being displayed outside the MIA for the first time.
Carpets are among the largest forms of Islamic art. The exhibition features imperial carpets crafted by talented artisans with significant funding from the courts. These carpets were made from the finest materials, including silk, pashmina wool, and gold and silver threads, and were dyed with ingredients from around the world. On display are 15 magnificent carpets produced in Safavid Iran, Mughal India, Ottoman Türkiye, and China between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. Highlights include the Shah Sulayman “hunting” carpet, a 450-year-old diplomatic gift from the Safavid shah to the Venetian doge; the 16-metre-long Kevorkian Hyderabad carpet, woven for the palaces of the Hyderabad sultans in southern Mughal India; the Çintamani prayer rug, which features a representation of the Prophet’s sandals and an auspicious motif popular at the Ottoman court. Another key object is the first-grade Chinese national treasure the Carpet with flowers from the Palace Museum, which was made in Xinjiang region during the Qianlong period (1736–1795).
A millennium of cultural exchanges between the Islamic world and China is highlighted
“Wonders of Imperial Carpets” presents many forms of Islamic art including bookbinding, miniature paintings, ceramics, metalwork, and jades, and shows their interrelationship. Highlighted exhibits include the Royal Qur’an of Shah Sulayman Safavi, a holy book of Islam produced for the eighth ruler of the Safavid dynasty; rare folios from great works of Persian literature, such as the Shahnama (Book of Kings); and an Ottoman inlaid wooden chest for holding gifts and treasures.
Select works of art from China and the Islamic world are displayed side by side to show the fascinating connections between them. A mid-thirteenth-century silver- and gold-inlaid Islamic brass basin is paired with a similarly shaped Ming-dynasty basin with floral scrolls produced in Jingdezhen. Another notable exhibit is a jade bowl with acanthus leaf handles made in seventeenth-century Mughal India. It is inscribed with the Qianlong Emperor’s poem praising its beauty.
Innovative learning offerings includes a digitally re-created Damascus Room, a flying carpet-themed AR programme, and a family trail to engage visitors of all ages
To enhance visitors’ experience, the HKPM has digitally re-created the Damascus Room, one of MIA’s most-visited exhibits. This immersive digital display transports visitors to the Ottoman world of hospitality, luxury, and beauty. Based on part of an affluent family’s home in nineteenth-century Damascus, the reproduced reception room blends Ottoman, Persian, Indian, and European motifs, reflecting the multicultural character of Damascus, the capital city and a vibrant cosmopolitan centre for commercial and cultural exchanges. Visitors can use a special AR programme on their mobile phones to create personalised portraits featuring a flying carpet.
The Magic Carpet Adventure family trail through the exhibition offers engaging activities for visitors of all ages. Family fun continues in the Carpet Studio learning corridor at the end of this exhibition, which features a display of weaving samples and a digital design-your-own-carpet game that deepens visitors’ understanding of carpet-making and motif design. Other learning and engagement programmes, including docent-led talks-on-the-spot, audio guides, public talks, and a teachers’ kit, offer visitors deeper insights into Islamic art and its historical dialogue with Chinese culture. To facilitate a more engaging experience for both local and overseas visitors, the Museum is introducing exhibition labels in multiple languages. In addition to the Chinese and English wall text, visitors can access texts in Arabic, Japanese, and Korean by scanning the QR codes available on-site.
As part of our community engagement efforts, the HKPM will partner with the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong to organise museum visits for Muslim community groups and students, and collaborate on educational activities, including a public talk on the historical development of Islamic culture in Hong Kong.
The HKPM gift shop, ART EXPRESS by The Commercial Press, has partnered with the Hong Kong-based Laws Knitters Studio to offer stylish knot bags specially designed for this exhibition. The series of four bags with modern patterns was inspired by a luxurious Safavid-era silk textile adorned with flowers, which is a highlight of the exhibition. The bags are available exclusively at the HKPM gift shop, which will also offer more than 20 themed products, including Iznik ware, stationery, lifestyle products, and publications.
“Wonders of Imperial Carpets” will be open to the public from 18 June to 6 October 2025 in Gallery 9 of the HKPM. Tickets for this special exhibition, which also grant access to all the thematic exhibitions in Galleries 1–7 (featuring treasures from the Palace Museum and other collections), are priced at HK$150 for adults and HK$75 for concessions*. Tickets are available for sale or reservation through the West Kowloon Cultural District’s online ticketing platforms and ticketing partners. Please refer to the HKPM website for more information.
*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.
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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 2023–2031.
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 the Museum of Islamic Art
Founded in 2008, the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), led by Director Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, was one of the first projects initiated by Qatar Museums. Designed by the renowned Chinese American architect I. M. Pei, the MIA is a globally acclaimed museum that stands majestically on Doha’s Corniche, with panoramic views of the city’s waterfront. The museum showcases Qatar’s world-class collections of Islamic art spanning some 1,300 years. Representing the full scope of Islamic art from the 7th to the 21st centuries, the MIA collection includes manuscripts, ceramics, metalwork, glass, ivory, textiles, carpets, wood, and jewellery. The collection has been curated from three continents, including countries across the Middle East, and reaching as far as Spain and China. In addition, MIA presents a diverse and rich programme of exhibitions illustrating the heritage of the Islamic world, as well as extensive educational activities for school children and families, making the museum a vital part of the community. The MIA has become a popular museum in the region and internationally, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation’s preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves and expands the nation’s cultural offerings, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, and amplify the voices of Qatar’s people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the development of museums and festivals including the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar (NMOQ), 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, and Design Doha. Future projects include Dadu: Children’s Museum of Qatar, Art Mill Museum, Qatar Auto Museum and the Lusail Museum.
Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, M7, the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design, and Liwan Design Studios and Labs —that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention. For more information visit https://qm.org.qa.
