Hong Kong Museum of History
To gain an in-depth understanding of Hong Kong's long and detailed history, be sure to spend an afternoon at the Hong Kong Museum of History. Located right next to the Hong Kong Science Museum in Kowloon, the museum is one of the best that Hong Kong has to offer. The mission of the Museum of History is to 'preserve and promote the historical and cultural heritage of Hong Kong', which they do with style and grace in this amazing facility.

First established in 1975, the museum has endless cutting-edge galleries and exhibits. The best of these is the giant Hong Kong Story, which illustrates Hong Kong's history from 400 million years ago to the present. Comprised of 8 galleries spread over two floors, the exhibit can take hours to wander through, but is worth every second.

Begin your exploration in the Natural Environment Gallery, which takes you back millions of years ago in prehistoric Hong Kong, complete with fossils and rocks displayed along the walkway and walls. The Prehistoric Hong Kong gallery details the lives of the early inhabitants, and the development of Hong Kong from the Qin and Han to the Qing dynasties can be traced in The Dynasties: From the Han to the Qing. Make your way to the Folk Culture in Hong Kong Gallery, which is life-size replica of a fishing junk, complete with the sights and smells of the market. Also in this area is a theatre showcasing Chinese folk traditions.

As you enter the second floor, you will come to The Opium Wars and the Cession of Hong Kong Gallery. The Opium War Theatre houses a multimedia show detailing the history of this era, and should not be missed. More modern history comes into play in the Birth and Early Growth of the City Gallery. Here you can walk through a replica of a three-story colonial building, or explore the offices and shops on an old fashioned street. The Japanese Occupation Center is housed in an air-raid shelter, and details the hardships suffered during these times.

Finally, the Hong Kong Story ends in the Modern Metropolis and the Return to China gallery. Hong Kong has grown and flourished in the postwar years, and this gallery details the amazing diversity and modernity of this culture. One of the best parts of this gallery is the Natural Disasters Theatre, showing the devastating effects of typhoons, rainstorms and drought that this area of the world experiences. Finally, the last part of the exhibit shows the signing of the Joint Declaration and the Handover Ceremony that parted Hong Kong from British Rule.