Visitors to the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) will soon be able to step back thousands of years in time and walk among the wonders of ancient Egypt.
From November 20, 2025, the landmark exhibition “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums” will open its doors, bringing 250 precious artefacts from seven Egyptian museums to Hong Kong — the largest and most comprehensive display of its kind ever seen in the city.
The collection, on loan from the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt, spans nearly 4,000 years of history and includes monumental statues, intricately painted coffins, golden jewellery, stone stelae, amulets, and even everyday items like sandals, bread, and a wooden toilet seat — details that paint an intimate portrait of life and belief in the land of the pharaohs.
The journey begins in “The Land of the Pharaohs,” where visitors will meet the commanding figures of Egypt’s legendary rulers — from Senusret I to the female pharaoh Hatshepsut and the mighty Rameses II.
Their carved likenesses radiate authority and devotion, surrounded by relics of spiritual life: jars that once held the organs of the dead, amulets for protection, and painted coffins designed to carry souls to eternity.
No story of Egypt is complete without its boy king. The section “The World of Tutankhamun” reintroduces the famed pharaoh whose tomb — discovered almost intact in 1922 — astonished the world.
Visitors can view sculptures of Tutankhamun and Akhenaten, admire the serene beauty of Nefertiti’s quartzite head, and explore glittering jewellery that once belonged to Egypt’s royal court.
The exhibition then turns to Saqqara, the ancient necropolis near Cairo that continues to reveal new wonders.
In “The Secrets of Saqqara,” recently uncovered treasures — from painted coffins and animal mummies to bronze statues of deities with animal features — demonstrate how archaeology still breathes life into Egypt’s past. These discoveries, many on display outside Egypt for the first time, remind visitors that history remains an ever-evolving story.
The final chapter, “Ancient Egypt and the World,” highlights how Egypt exchanged ideas and artistry with neighbouring civilisations.
Greek and Roman influences appear in mummy masks and carved stelae, while the exhibition closes with a celebration of cultural dialogue — including the growing partnership between Egypt and China in archaeological preservation, marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.
Beyond the artefacts, over ten multimedia installations will bring ancient rituals and discoveries to life.
Visitors can watch a digital recreation of the mummification process or see Tutankhamun’s damaged statue restored through 3D projection. Workshops, talks, and guided tours will further invite the public — from children to history enthusiasts — to experience the world of ancient Egypt in a hands-on, engaging way.
“Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums” runs from November 20, 2025 to August 31, 2026 at Gallery 9, Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon.
Tickets are priced at HK$190 for adults and HK$95 for concessions, with full access tickets available at HK$230 and HK$115 respectively.
A 45-minute Public Guided Tour is also available for HK$340 (adult) and HK$170 (concession).
Tickets go on sale from 10am, October 22, via the HKPM website, WestK app, and Cityline. For details, click here.
For Hong Kong visitors and history lovers alike, this exhibition promises not only to unveil the treasures of ancient Egypt — but to reveal the enduring fascination of a civilisation that continues to inspire the world.
marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com
