How horses unite East and West - “Riding into Reflection: A Sino-French Exhibition on Equine Culture” opens in Beijing

Horses have long held a unique place in civilisations around the world. Bringing this shared heritage to life, “Riding into Reflection: A Sino-French Exhibition on Equine Culture” opened last week at Prince Kung’s Palace Museum in Beijing till 29 November. The exhibition is co-curated by Prince Kung’s Palace Museum and France’s Château de Chantilly. It is jointly organised by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and China Tourism Group.

Part of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, the exhibition presents a dialogue celebrating the rich equine cultures of China and France through a showcase of more than 200 precious artefacts and works of art.

“Riding into Reflection: A Sino-French Exhibition on Equine Culture” features more than 200 cultural artefacts, including over 60 treasured artefacts from the renowned collections of the Château de Chantilly, alongside exhibits from a number of cultural institutions and museums in the Chinese Mainland.

Visitors can explore three themed sections - Tracing the Origins, Riding the Wind and Unbridled Imagination - to discover how horses have served not only as trusted companions throughout history but also as a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures. By blending performing arts, visual arts and digital technology, the exhibition offers an immersive experience, enabling visitors to appreciate the richness and enduring appeal of equine culture.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the Club will continue to align its efforts with the development priorities set out in the National 15th Five-Year-Plan and Hong Kong’s first Five-Year-Plan, driving Hong Kong’s deeper integration into overall national development, deepening the city’s role as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, and enhancing the reach and influence of Chinese culture.

Raymond Tam, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the “Riding into Reflection: A Sino-French Exhibition on Equine Culture”.

The story does not end in Beijing. The exhibition will next travel on to Hong Kong, where it will be staged at Tai Kwun in Central from late December till end of January 2027, giving local residents and visitors an opportunity to appreciate these historical equine treasures while promoting tourism and the development of equestrian sports in Hong Kong.

For horse lovers, history enthusiasts and anyone curious about cultural exchange between East and West, the exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to discover how horses have connected people and cultures throughout history.