Hong Kong Palace Museum to raise admission prices by 16.7% to HK$70 next month

Adult general admission prices rose by 20 per cent to HK$60 last July for timed entry to the museum, while the concessionary rate increased to HK$30 from HK$25.

The latest change for general admission tickets, from HK$60 to HK$70, will take effect on August 15.

Concession tickets will also increase from HK$30 to HK$35.

Prices for admission to the current special thematic exhibitions as well as the unlimited annual entry passes will remain unchanged.

The museum said it had struck a balance between maintaining its sustainable operations and ensuring affordability for the public.

“In the coming year, the Hong Kong Palace Museum will continue to seek sponsorship and reserve a considerable number of admission tickets to be distributed to underprivileged groups, and join hands with corporates, charitable and district groups to arrange visits for students and disadvantaged communities,” it said.

Earlier this month, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority received the green light to sell some of the arts hub’s land parcels to help it stay afloat amid a financial crisis.

The land measures have given the cash-strapped body a much-needed lifeline, with its initial HK$21.6 billion endowment from the government previously expected to run out in June of next year.

Henry Tang Ying-yen, board chairman for the authority, earlier said the support granted by the government would mean it could avoid drastic cost-cutting measures such as reducing open days at the M+ museum and the Palace Museum.

A gap between the arts hub’s income and expenditure is considered to be the root of its funding issues.

The authority initially sought to generate funds through the commercial development of spaces for retail, dining, entertainment, hotels, offices and residences.

But the Covid-19 pandemic and property market changes contributed to delays in the tendering of the sites.