Hong Kong Space Museum

By Kin Enriquez -

We visited the Hong Kong Space Museum a few years ago. The space museum was built in 1977, and was opened to the public in 1980. We stumbled upon it while exploring the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Kowloon.

Facade of the Hong Kong Space Museum
The museum is composed of an east and west wing. On the east wing is the 23-meter domed structure that houses the space theater. The planetarium uses an OMNIMAX projector, the first one to use it in the eastern hemisphere. The Hall of Space Science is also in this wing.

The Hall of Astronomy, the gift shop and the lecture halls are found in the west wing. On the hall of astronomy you can find displays relating to basic astronomy, constellations and stars, comets and meteors, and a bit-sensationalized display about planetary collisions . 

Model of a Congreve rocket and an ancient Chinese rocket

Most of the exhibits in the museum's Hall of Space Science are models. What I found most interesting are the models of a Congreve rocket, which is used by the British as a weapon during the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, and a model of an ancient Chinese rocket used against the Mongols in 1232 .


Models of the Long March rockets
The emphasis of the exhibits is China's space program though. There were several models of the Long March rockets, including the latest 2F model, which carried China's first man in space in 2003. There's also a section that features China's rocket launching facilities.
Diorama of the moon landing
Soviet, Russian and American space vehicles were also featured. I think I saw a model of a Soyuz rocket, as well as several American ones. There is also a diorama of the moon landing, a full-scale model of the Sputnik, and several scale models of important satellites and spacecraft such as the space shuttle. 

 Another attraction is a mock-up of the Space Shuttle cabin and cockpit where kids can enter and explore.

Model of the Sputnik
Mockup of the Space Shuttle cockpit
All in all, I find that the museum is not that remarkable, but it did not stop an astronomy geek like me from finding a gem or two. I would be hard-pressed to recommend this museum to everyone, as there's not much to see inside.

 How to Get There
The museum is located at 10 Salisbury Road, at the Shim Sha Tsui district of Kowloon. It is accessible using the MTR Tsuen Wan line. Get off Shim Sha Tsui Station then exit at Nathan Road.  

Useful Info
The museum is open every day of the week except on Tuesdays, from 1pm to 9 pm on Mondays to Fridays, and from 10am to 9pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Admission is $10 for the exhibition hall, $24 for the Omnimax and sky show.

Website here. 


by Kin Enriquez

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