Summertime and the living is easy. The best place to spend the lazy, hazy days with loved ones, friends and family, four-legged ones included, is the West Kowloon Art Park.
A vibrant oasis in the heart of the city
Boasting stunning views of Victoria Harbour and the iconic Hong Kong Island skyline, the family- and pet-friendly Art Park is a prime spot for city dwellers to relax and chill. Jog, bike or walk with your pet dog along the waterfront promenade, picnic on the Great Lawn, wine and dine at the harbour-side eateries, and soak up some art and culture at this urban leisure destination. There’s nothing quite like this in Hong Kong that is so easily accessible and super connected with free Wi-Fi.
The green lung of West Kowloon
Enjoy a picnic and family time on the Great Lawn against the iconic Victoria Harbour backdrop.
Revel in the great outdoors at the green lung of West Kowloon and soak up some Vitamin D.
Prefer some shade from the hot sun? Bring your own pop-up canopy. And for more comfort, hire an inflatable sofa. You can also rent a portable charger should your mobile phone run out of battery.
The upscale PANO offers a feast for the senses. (Photo: West Kowloon Cultural District)
Picnic aside, make it a point to dine in at the stand-alone PANO, the upscale restaurant with an atmospheric décor and cuisine that blends Eastern flavours and Western culinary traditions. This is your best choice for a date night or special celebration where you can enjoy the glorious sunset and night view of the glittering harbour from another angle.
A visual feast for your Instagram
Check out the most incredible check-in spots to get the best shots to add to your IG story. Not to be missed is the Competition Pavilion on the waterfront promenade. Named “Growing Up”, this distinctive temporary structure with its sloped roof and slender timber columns is the winning design in the first Hong Kong Young Architects & Designers Competition. Hang out in the shade, take a rest, wait for the magic hour and snap away as the sun dips below the horizon in a blaze of colours.
The Freespace Mural featuring quirky characters from the weird and wonderful AtomicAttack land is an Instagram hotspot.
Another check-in spot that is best to visit during the day is the Freespace Mural executed on the exterior wall of Lau Bak Livehouse in Freespace. The whole family will be captivated by this whimsical street art of a fantasy world created by the award-winning artist and graphic designer Calvin Ho @ AtomicAttack. Check out the lively and quirky characters from the weird and wonderful AtomicAttack land that populate the mural and get your best IG shots. While you are at it, try out the mural-inspired Instagram filter, Facebook filter and instant messaging Sticker pack specially designed by Ho.
Enjoy music at the park on weekends
Catch the distinctive Cycling Piano roaming along the waterfront promenade on weekends.
Fans of piano music and upcycling have another compelling reason to visit the Art Park. Catch the fabulous Cycling Piano in vintage green with a pianist playing jazz tunes that will roam around for an hour in the late afternoon on weekends, weather permitting.
Follow the rare Morrison upright piano made in Hong Kong in the 1960s by the now-defunct Tsang Fok Piano Company that sits atop the tricycle making its way along the waterfront promenade. Take a closer look at the pianist bench, seat, and bicycle bell have all been thoughtfully upcycled from materials from old Hong Kong. The sounds and sights of this mobile performance art with a priceless Victoria Harbour backdrop are worth more than an Instagram video as you share the joy of music on your IG story. Imagine yourself in a park in Europe even though travelling is still off the cards for most.
Bike your way around
The Art Park is a sprawling space, and the fastest way to get around is to hire a SmartBike. They come in children and adult sizes, with a Family Bike available on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Rent one to ride along the waterfront promenade and make your way to the cafes and restaurants, cultural venues and other hot spots.
Getting there
The Art Park is located at the western end of the West Kowloon Cultural District and is easily accessible from MTR Kowloon Station. Catch minibus number 74 or 26 from the Bus Terminus, which will take you to the entrance near Freespace.
If you drive, use the hourly-rated car park at Zone F or Zone E of the Art Park Car Park, with free parking available for café customers.
