Tai Kwun finally set to open this month

After more than a decade of various plans and construction work – and a major setback when a wall collapsed in 2016 – it’s been announced that Central’s Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts is finally set to open its doors on May 29.

Long delayed, the former Central Police Station compound on Hollywood Road is finally ready to begin life as Hong Kong’s newest world-class art space. And for those super keen culture vultures, online bookings for guaranteed entry during the institution’s first week of operations are available now via taikwun.hk. That will allow guests to visit and marvel at the conservation and revitalisation of 11 of 16 heritage buildings (the remaining blocks are scheduled to open later this year) and the construction of two entirely new buildings, designed by Herzog and de Meuron, to provide space for art exhibitions and performances. And if you can’t be bothered with the hassle of getting a pass, don’t worry. You can pop along to Tai Kwun as a walk-in visitor later in June once the initial hype has died down.

Local artist Wing Po So is kicking things off at the opening with her debut solo exhibition. The artist’s work delves into Chinese medicine, pharmacology and science as an ‘archaeological exploration of materiality’ and history in Hong Kong. Also on display will be the group show, Dismantling the Scaffold, set to feature international and Hong Kong artists showcasing creations inspired by the history of the former criminal justice site. You can also expect a diverse range of performances taking place throughout the initial opening period, including a capella singing, an air puppet show, circus acts, lunch-time concerts and film screenings.