A NEW thematic exhibition, “The Forbidden City and the World: Cultural Encounters,” has opened at the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), re-examining the Forbidden City as a vibrant hub of global exchange. By placing the former imperial palace within a broader world history framework, the exhibition traces more than six centuries of cross-cultural interaction across the Yuan (1271–1368), Ming (1368–1644), and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties. It delves into diplomatic, commercial, scientific, philosophical, and artistic exchanges between China and other parts of Asia and Europe.

Bringing together over 130 treasures from three major institutions — the Palace Museum in Beijing, the Hong Kong Palace Museum, and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar — the exhibition features a wide range of objects, including paintings, calligraphy, jewelry, timepieces, porcelain, glassware, furniture, silk textiles, and scholarly implements.

The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections. The first section charts China’s flourishing cultural encounters with other regions during the Yuan and Ming dynasties. From the interconnected overland silk routes to maritime trade routes, it paints a vivid picture of China’s growing contact with the wider world.

The second section illustrates the historical context of rare commodities imported to China from South and Southeast Asia during the late Ming period, and their significant impact on imperial art and craftsmanship in the Ming and Qing dynasties, reflecting Chinese culture’s inclusiveness and inventiveness.

The third section highlights the spirit of artisanal innovation and the integration of knowledge during the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong reigns of the Qing Dynasty.

The fourth section examines how the Canton Customs shaped court culture from the mid- to late Qing Dynasty. In 1757, Guangzhou’s Canton Customs was the only designated seaport open to foreign merchants.

The exhibition design employs bold colors and carefully orchestrated spatial arrangements to create an immersive, scene-changing journey through history, guiding visitors into the past. Multiple multimedia installations further enrich the visitor experience, bringing historical narratives to life.

Venue: Gallery 1, Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon, Hong Kong(SD News)