The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) has partnered with The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (KMB) to launch the “KMB Pharaoh Cat Buses” for a one-month period.
Starting this Saturday (Mar 7), 10 themed buses will enter service, allowing the wider community to experience the museum’s special exhibition, “Ancient Egypt Unveiled: Treasures from Egyptian Museums,” in fresh ways.
Featuring the exhibition’s popular “Pharaoh Cat” character alongside the beloved “KMB Boy,” the buses offer an engaging and accessible encounter with ancient Egyptian history on KMB routes connected to the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK).
Presented by HKPM, “Ancient Egypt Unveiled” is the largest, most comprehensive, and longest-running display of ancient Egyptian treasures in Hong Kong.
The limited-time buses will operate along Open Top Bus Route HK1, the newly launched WestK-focused “Pet Bus Tour,” Route W4, and Route 296D, all of which travel through WestK.
The buses feature an ancient Egypt-themed exterior that vividly depicts the adorable characters “KMB Boy” and “Pharaoh Cat” alongside cultural elements such as pyramids, the blue hippo, the sphinx, and hieroglyphs.
Inside, themed decals and seatback displays showcase connections between Hong Kong’s cultural tourism highlights and ancient Egyptian artifacts.
Emily Cheung, commercial director of KMB, noted that the collaboration reflects the company's commitment to "making good use of its public transport network to cooperate with various sectors in promoting cultural, artistic, and tourism development."
The HKPM will also host the “Searching for Pharaoh’s Cat Campaign Fun Day” on Saturday, inviting 25 winners to board the “KMB Pharaoh Cat Bus” with their pets for an exclusive first ride.
“This collaboration weaves ancient Egyptian civilization into the rhythms of Hong Kong’s urban life, allowing the public to appreciate its unique charm and rich cultural heritage in an accessible and engaging manner,” said Louis Ng Chi-wa, Museum Director of the HKPM.
He further pledged that the HKPM will continue to partner with different sectors to enrich cultural tourism and connect with the community and diverse audiences.
