HK brings Kowloon Walled City to life with immersive exhibition

Hong Kong has partnered with the filmmakers of the local martial arts movie “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” (九龍城寨之圍城) to launch an exhibition that features recreations of iconic scenes from the film.

This comes as the film has generated a lot of buzz in the city that, it has grossed over HK$900 million at the box office and ranks second in the history of Chinese language films total box office in Hong Kong. The film is representing Hong Kong in the best international feature film at the Academy Awards.

Also known as “Live out the cinematic charm of Hong Kong” (走進香港，走進香港電影), the exhibition is done in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau along with the filmmakers of the film. 

The exhibition will be held in two phases respectively: first in Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and then in the shopping mall AIRSIDE in Kowloon City. Featuring signature scenes from the movie, the exhibition aims to provide both locals and visitors with a fully immersive experience of Hong Kong’s rich history and culture, while encouraging audiences to trace the film's footsteps for a unique adventure in the city.

Available from 7 October until 20 November, visitors arriving in the arrival hall A of the HKIA will be greeted by a 6.5-metre-high double-story set and a massive “Kowloon Walled City” neon sign. The exhibition features a two-story life-size replica of the Walled City attic, along with other restored film sets such as the barbershop, tea stall, store, and winding alleys. It aims to recreate key moments from the film and allow visitors to get a taste of the unique culture and history of this place. 

Since Kowloon City is where the story of the film takes place, the second phase of the exhibition will bring the set “home” to the AIRSIDE shopping mall in Kai Tak to further reconnect the experience with its origins. In phase two, the exhibition will create a further immersive indoor experience, aiming to allow visitors to stroll through different parts of the Walled City and become part of the scenes to further experience the magic of movie tourism in town.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, Hong Kong chief executive John Lee said that the government will work closely with various sectors to promote Hong Kong cinema and enhance the city's cultural strength.

“Hong Kong movies have long been highly appreciated internationally; they are an important aspect of Hong Kong's soft power and a significant tourism asset that helps tell the good stories of Hong Kong. This is the result of the efforts of several generations of filmmakers. [...] We will continue developing movie-inspired tourism projects through different Hong Kong films to attract more visitors to Hong Kong while promoting our local film culture,” he said. 

Pang Yiu Kai, chairman of HKTB, said: “This time, themed around "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In", the exhibition offers more than an immersive visit to the sets, sparking interest among both locals and visitors to explore Hong Kong’s rich cultural and historical heritage beyond the movies and enjoy their time in the wider city.”

Fred Lam, chairman of AAHK, said: "We are delighted that HKIA is the first venue for the exhibition of the film ‘Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’. As the gateway to welcome travellers, HKIA is an ideal place to showcase the rich culture of Hong Kong and actively promote local arts. We are honoured to collaborate with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the HKTB, and the filmmakers to present the exhibition. Our common aim is to highlight the diverse culture landscape and history of Hong Kong, while providing an enjoyable experience for visitors."

Don’t miss: HK in talks with industry players to 'recreate' Kowloon Walled City

Back in May, Hong Kong authorities were in talks with industry players to recreate the Kowloon Walled City, including the possibility of incorporating augmented reality (AR) elements into an exhibition featuring preserving sets of "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In".

The city's tourism chief Kevin Yeung said on a radio programme that the government has been in talks with players within the production industry about the possibility of preserving sets of the movie as tourist attractions.

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