The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) is pleased to announce the opening of its new special exhibition “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: YUAN MING YUAN──Art and Culture of an Imperial Garden-Palace” today. The exhibition is jointly organised by the HKPM, the Palace Museum, and the Yuanmingyuan Administration Office of Haidian District of Beijing, and solely sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (The Trust). Following the success of the HKPM’s opening exhibitions in 2022, this major special exhibition once again draws from the magnificent Palace Museum collection. With more than 190 precious treasures, the exhibition showcases the former glory of the imperial garden Yuanming yuan, known as the “Garden of All Gardens”, and sheds light on Qing court history, life, and art as lived within the garden. The exhibition will be open to the public in Gallery 8 of the HKPM from 20 March 2024 through 12 August 2024.
The opening ceremony for “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: YUAN MING YUAN──Art and Culture of an Imperial Garden-Palace” was held at the HKPM today, officiated by Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of The Government of The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Du Haijiang, Deputy Director of The Palace Museum; Qiu Wenzhong, Director of the Yuanmingyuan Administration Office of Haidian Page 2 of 7 District of Beijing; Winnie Tam, Chairman of the HKPM Board; Winnie Yip, Head of Charities (Culture, Sports and Community Engagement) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA); and Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM.
Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, The Government of the HKSAR, said, “The Yuanming yuan bears witness to China’s cultural splendour and the profound changes it has undergone. ‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: YUAN MING YUAN──Art and Culture of an Imperial Garden-Palace’ exhibition has significant cultural and historical importance. We hope this exhibition will deepen the understanding of national history and Chinese arts and culture among local and Mainland visitors, particularly the younger generation. We also wish to evoke a sense of belonging and strengthen a strong national identity by providing individuals with an immersive journey into the depths of history.”
Du Haijiang, Deputy Director of The Palace Museum, said, “‘The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: YUAN MING YUAN──Art and Culture of an Imperial Garden-Palace’ exhibition marks a groundbreaking collaborative curatorial endeavor, jointly organised by the Palace Museum, the Yuanmingyuan Administration Office of Haidian District of Beijing, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Detailed research and curation of the precious historical relics of the Palace Museum, specifically those unearthed from the Yuanming yuan site, will be showcased at the HKPM. The exhibition offers a captivating glimpse into the beauty of the once-renowned ‘Garden of All Gardens’. Through continuing the close collaboration with the HKPM, the Palace Museum is committed to strengthening the cultural bonds and connections between the Mainland and Hong Kong and promote the innovative transformation and development of outstanding traditional Chinese cultural heritage.”
Qiu Wenzhong, Director of Yuanmingyuan Administration Office of Haidian District of Beijing, said, “The architectures of Yuanming yuan, adorned with opulent furnishings and decorations, were tremendous showcase of the nation’s unique aesthetic taste and cultural pursuits. The area of the Western-style pavilions is noteworthy for integrating elements and characteristics of Western gardens for the first time in China, reflecting the inclusive and open-minded nature of the Qing court. This exhibition also features treasures unearthed in recent important archaeological excavations by the Yuanmingyuan Administration Office, most of which are displayed outside Yuanming yuan for the first time. These artefacts bear witness not just to the leisurely pursuits of emperors and the cultured idleness of scholars, but also to profound patriotic sentiments and national spirit, steeped in historical vicissitudes and marked by the scars of time.”
Winnie Tam, Chairman of the HKPM Board, said, “The HKPM is immensely privileged to have collaborated with the Palace Museum and Yuanmingyuan Administration Office of Haidian District of Beijing to jointly present this special exhibition. This exhibition is of remarkable significance as it is the first large-scale, comprehensive display of Yuanming yuan artefacts in Hong Kong and from around the world. We aspire to offer local and international visitors new perspectives to delve into the rich history and profound humanistic essence of Chinese culture. This exhibition also underscores Hong Kong’s important position as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.”
The Club’s Head of Charities (Culture, Sports and Community Engagement) Winnie Yip said the Club was honoured to support this exhibition, which will help promote Chinese culture and cultural exchange between East and West. The exhibition-related documentaries and lectures can also deepen understanding of Chinese civilisation. She highlighted that the Hong Kong Palace Museum was constructed with the support of a HK$3.5 billion donation from the Club’s Charities Trust. The donation is also supporting talent development initiatives, exhibitions and educational programmes at the museum.
Shedding new light on the “Garden of All Gardens”, rare and diverse exhibits with “Tangyang” 3D architectural models displayed in Hong Kong for the first time
Located in the northwest suburbs of Beijing, Yuanming yuan was originally a garden given by the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1662–1722) to his fourth son, Yinzhen (later known as the Yongzheng Emperor). The Yongzheng Emperor (r. 1723–1735) developed the masterplan of Yuanming yuan. His successors the Qianlong Emperor (r. 1736–1795) and the Jiaqing Emperor (r. 1796–1820) further expanded the property into a flourishing exemplar of Chinese garden design. Yuanming yuan blends various garden styles and landscaping techniques of past dynasties with the architectural artistry of the East and West. It embodies the personal taste and cultivated elegance of the Qing court. From the Yongzheng period to the Xianfeng period (1723–1861), the imperial family spent an average of 195 days per year in Yuanming yuan, while the Daoguang Emperor (r. 1821–1850) set a record of staying in the garden for 260 days per year on average – much more time than he spent in the Forbidden City, rendering it the primary home of the imperial family and the epicentre of imperial rule.
This exhibition consists of five sections that focus on the history, arts, and culture associated with Yuanming yuan. The first section, “Space and Layout”, presents the entire appearance of Yuanming yuan and its spatial planning; the second section, “Seasonal Festivals”, depicts social life in the garden including ceremonial rituals and seasonal customs; the third section, “The Art of Landscaping”, reveals the interactions between landscaping and paintings; the fourth section, “Family Ties”, delves into heart-warming royal family stories, including the story of the Kangxi Emperor’s first meeting with his grandson, Hongli (later known as the Qianlong Emperor), in Yuanming yuan. The Kangxi Emperor was invited by his son, Yinzhen (the future Yongzheng Emperor), to enjoy the view of peonies in full bloom when he first saw Hongli; and the fifth section, “Destruction and Ruin”, records the transformation of the Yuanming yuan from its glory through its destruction, and the efforts to preserve the ruins of Yuanming yuan.
In two rotations, this exhibition presents over 190 exhibits closely associated with Yuanming yuan from the Palace Museum, the Yuanmingyuan Administration Office of Haidian District of Beijing, and other lenders. They include paintings, calligraphy, ceramics, architectural models, drawings, and prints. These precious relics help us understand the Yuanming yuan after its destruction. Almost all of the exhibits are being displayed in Hong Kong for the first time.
Highlight exhibits include The Yongzheng Emperor enjoying flowers in the Peony Terrace, Spring Everlasting on the Abode of the Immortals, Yinzhen sitting in the Pavilion of Recitation in a Clear Voice, Consort of the Qianlong Emperor and Yongyan, Autumn Courtyard Overflown with Happiness, The Qianlong Emperor at leisure, and five valuable “Tangyang” (architectural model) from the Palace Museum. There are only around 80 “Tangyang” left in the world, of which five valuable originals and one replica on loan from the Palace Museum will be displayed in two rotations, including the Model of the Hall of Universal Peace in the Garden of Perfect Brightness, the Yongzheng Emperor’s favourite residence in Yuanming yuan in the form of a Buddhist swastika. Other highlights include artefacts unearthed from the Yuanming yuan site on loan from the Yuanmingyuan Administration Office of Haidian District of Beijing, including architectural element with carvings from the site of the European-style palaces in the Garden of Eternal Spring.
The exhibition employs multimedia technology to recreate the magnificent scenery of the garden, showcasing its construction process and more than 10 viewpoints of restored picturesque scenery. The exhibition’s concluding section revolves around a single architectural piece found at the Yuanming yuan ruins. Through virtual projection technology, it immerses the visitors in the journey of Yuanming yuan's glory through its destruction.
Enriching educational programmes, exhibition catalogue showcasing new academic achievements
The HKPM’s new catalogue, YUAN MING YUAN──Art and Culture of an Imperial Garden-Palace is co-authored by experts from the HKPM, the Palace Museum, the Yuanmingyuan Administration Office of Haidian District of Beijing, and other scholars. The catalogue not only showcases new academic achievements, but also delves into the history and artistic essence of Yuanming yuan. HKPM will organise a screening of the documentary The Lei Family, which features the architectural design and landscaping of Yuanming yuan and highlights the contributions of the legendary Lei family──the multi-generational royal architects of the Qing dynasty. A discussion by experts will follow the screening.
Following the “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: Stories Untold──Figure Paintings of the Ming Dynasty from the Palace Museum” exhibition, this is the second annual major exhibition of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series. It is presented with the aid of a donation from the Club’s Charities Trust, which is supporting the HKPM’s exhibitions, talent development, and educational programmes between 2023 and 2031. The Hong Kong Jockey Club strongly supports the HKPM’s mission to showcase art and culture from China and around the world, and to promote the best of Chinese culture to future generations.
The exhibition will open to the public tomorrow (20 March 2024) and remain open through 12 August 2024 in Gallery 8 of the HKPM. Tickets for this special exhibition, which also grant access to all the thematic exhibitions in Galleries 1–7 (featuring treasures from the Palace Museum and other collections), are HK$150 for adults and HK$75 for concessions^ and are available for sale through the West Kowloon Cultural District’s online ticketing platforms and ticketing partners.
A special combo ticket, priced at HK$220 for adults and HK$110 for visitors eligible for concession^, will be available to visitors who wish to visit both special exhibitions──“The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: YUAN MING YUAN──Art and Culture of an Imperial Garden-Palace” in Gallery 8 and “Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London” in Gallery 9 on the same day, in addition to all thematic exhibitions in Galleries 1 to 7. Please refer to the HKPM website for more information.
^Concessions are available to children aged 7 to 11, full-time students, seniors aged 60 and above, persons with disabilities (with one companion), and CSSA recipients.
Remarks
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to be a leading cultural institution committed to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture while advancing dialogue among world civilisations. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust made a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023–2031.
Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Museum offers a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision, presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through research, exhibitions, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum will build international partnerships and help position Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. At heart a resource that belongs to the community of Hong Kong, the Museum will inspire community engagement, foster dialogue, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About the West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on 40 hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, the West Kowloon Cultural District will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, providing 23 hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.
https://www.westkowloon.hk/
