Museums and landmarks to explore on Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island has museums and landmarks on very different subjects, from ships and the harbour to Chinese art, journalism and wax figures. This guide covers four of them and what each offers families. Choose by what your children are curious about, then check the notes on getting there and what to arrange before you leave home.

Ships and the sea at Central Pier No. 8

The Hong Kong Maritime Museum sits at Central Pier No. 8 and overlooks Victoria Harbour. It is an independent, non-profit registered charity, founded by members of the Hong Kong shipping industry.

For a family visit, the main points are:

• There is a museum cafe and a museum shop on site. Each keeps its own hours.
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The museum also works with schools. Its education programmes are built on the STEAM framework, which stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, and they cover maritime topics. Private groups, including community groups, can book tailored visits that are either self-guided or led by a docent. If your child's school or a group you belong to is planning an outing, these are worth asking about.

Chinese art at Lung Fu Shan

The University of Hong Kong - University Museum and Art Gallery began as the Fung Ping Shan Museum, in a building that was originally a library.

The collection is centred on Chinese art. It includes ceramics and bronzes dating from the Neolithic period to the Qing dynasty, so it covers a very long stretch of history.

The museum runs events alongside its exhibitions. These have included:

• a regular lecture series
• a sketching workshop themed around an exhibition
• a creative workshop for parents and children to do together

Events change, so look at what is on before you go if a workshop is the reason for your visit.

Journalism in a former market building in Central

Hong Kong News-Expo occupies a revitalised former market building in Central, near Wing Lee Street, a historic street. Part of the site was once home to the American Congregational Mission, where the young Dr. Sun Yat-sen was baptised as a Christian.

There is a family guided tour package. A family joining must have at least one member under 12, and the tour needs at least four people to run. You are welcome to make up your own group, and you need to book. The package includes:

• a guided tour
• a front-page photo souvenir
• game vouchers
• postcards

Getting there takes some planning:

• There is no parking on site, and the museum encourages visitors to use public transport.
• Large tour buses cannot reach the museum directly.
• Recommended routes involve a minibus, or walking from Hollywood Road by a staircase of 29 steps.
• Groups of five or more must book ahead. One to four people can visit without a reservation.

Wax figures at The Peak

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is at The Peak and is part of the Merlin Entertainments Madame Tussauds group. Visitors get close to wax figures of celebrities, icons and historical leaders in an interactive setting. Figures are added or rotated, and there are limited-time exhibitions, so what you see can change between visits.

It is indoors, pram friendly and has wheelchair access. You can reach it by taking the Peak Tram up to The Peak Tower. A visit takes around an hour and a half.

Things to know before you go:

• There are no lockers or cloakrooms, so you keep your belongings with you.
• Lighting and strobe effects may be used throughout the attraction. These could affect anyone with photosensitive epilepsy or other light sensitivities.
• No animals or pets are allowed inside, except guide dogs.

Practical points before you go

• Two of the four, the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and Hong Kong News-Expo, are in Central. The university museum is at Lung Fu Shan and Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is at The Peak.
• Plan on public transport for Hong Kong News-Expo, and expect stairs if you walk from Hollywood Road.
• Book ahead for Hong Kong News-Expo if there are five or more of you, or if you want the family guided tour.
• In severe weather, meaning a black rainstorm warning or typhoon signal 8 or above, Hong Kong News-Expo opens later than usual once the signal is lowered and may not open at all that day. Check before setting out.
• The Hong Kong Maritime Museum closes for part of Chinese New Year, so check ahead if you plan to visit over the holiday.
• Pack light for Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, as there is nowhere to leave bags.
• If anyone in your family is sensitive to flashing lights, take the strobe warning at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong into account.