Wong Chuk Hang: From Industrial Zone to Edgy Art Hub

Wong Chuk Hang, once a bustling industrial area in Hong Kong, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Previously known for its factories and warehouses, it has evolved into a vibrant art district, attracting artists, curators and art enthusiasts.

Wong Chuk Hang was a hidden village nestled between Mount Cameron and Mount Nicholson, thriving in the 19th century with abundant yellow bamboo. After World War II and until mid-1980s, it transformed into an industrial hub, especially with the influx of refugees fleeing the communist revolution in China, which led to a rapid postwar industrial growth, notably within the textile, electronics and plastics sectors. At its peak in the late 1980s, there were more than 1,190 factories operating there, greatly facilitated by the opening of the Aberdeen tunnel in 1982.

However, as most factories relocated to mainland China, Wong Chuk Hang’s industrial prominence faded in the 1990s, leaving only a few small-scale operations. The public housing estate was demolished in 2007 to make way for the MTR’s Wong Chuk Hang Station and Depot.

The revitalisation of Wong Chuk Hang began with the influx of creative professionals drawn by the area’s affordable studio spaces and unique character. As the demand for prime real estate in central Hong Kong surged, many artists and galleries sought refuge in Wong Chuk Hang, drawn by its spacious warehouses and industrial architecture, which provided an ideal canvas for artistic expression.

Although some adventurous artists and galleries moved there as early as 2010, it is only since the arrival of the MTR in 2016 that the area gained traction as a neighbourhood for art,  attracting a broader audience thanks to a better accessibility.

HKADC’s opening exhibition, Marginal Notes, 2023

Today, Wong Chuk Hang is home to numerous art galleries and studios that showcase a diverse range of contemporary art forms, including visual arts, installations and multimedia works. The Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC) even opened its new headquarters in the neighbourhood in 2023. Street artists have also adopted the neighbourhood as their canvas, and numerous murals can be found, thanks to the 2017 edition of the HKWalls festival.

The metamorphosis of Wong Chuk Hang is a testament to the urban development trends that have reshaped many parts of the city, reflecting a growing appreciation for contemporary art and culture.

Mural by Jecks, HKWalls 2017

Galleries and studios to discover in Wong Chuk Hang:

a Gallery
Alisan Atelier
Art Perspective
Axel Vervoordt Gallery
Ben Brown Fine Arts
Blindspot Gallery
Boogie Woogie Photography
Carl Kostyál
Current Plans
DE SARTHE
Gallery Exit
Lucie Chang Fine Arts
Mou Projects
Podium Gallery
Rossi & Rossi
SC Gallery
Sin Sin Fine Art
Tang Contemporary Art
Whitestone
WKM Gallery