The Lung Wah Hotel, a landmark in Hong Kong's northern New Territories, has been converted into a hands-on museum called Hong Kong Radiance, featuring exhibits that capture the city's lively past. Curated by collector John Wu, the museum aims to offer an immersive experience, reflecting Hong Kong's evolution from a postwar factory town to a global financial hub.
Reviving Old Hong Kong: The Lung Wah Hotel as a Cultural Museum
Reviving Old Hong Kong: The Lung Wah Hotel as a Cultural Museum
A storied hotel once favored by Bruce Lee is transformed into a vibrant museum celebrating Hong Kong's rich history amidst changing political landscapes.
In its peak during the mid-20th century, the Lung Wah Hotel, a beautifully renovated Spanish revival villa, served as a tranquil escape from Hong Kong's urban chaos, nestled near a scenic cove and surrounded by lush parks. During weekends, the hotel buzzed with visitors engaging in lively games of mahjong and children enjoying the outdoor facilities. Its most notable guest, Bruce Lee, famously trained on the hotel's rooftop, adding to its legacy.
Over the years, the hotel fell into decline as it could no longer offer accommodations due to stringent fire safety regulations. The picturesque rice fields nearby gave way to middle-class housing developments, and while the celebrated restaurant still serves its iconic roast pigeon, it rarely sees crowds, particularly after losing its parking lot to a new police station established in the 1970s.
However, the old hotel is experiencing a renaissance thanks to a new initiative that embraces its storied history. The space that once housed a teahouse has been transformed into Hong Kong Radiance, an interactive museum designed to depict the city's vibrant cultural shifts from the factory-driven economy of the postwar era to its emergence as a glittering financial nexus linking East and West.
Graphic designer and prominent local collector John Wu meticulously curated the museum, striving to infuse it with a cinematic feel. Each corner boasts an orchestrated color palette meant to resonate emotionally with visitors, making the past tangible and inviting those who step inside to immerse themselves in the essence of what shaped Hong Kong into the dynamic metropolis it is today.
