Record 23,000 flock to M+ museum during Hong Kong handover celebrations, while 7,600 visitors fill Palace Museum
- Long queues form at M+ museum as it does not require registration in advance, while the Palace Museum does
- Thousands brave rainy weather to enjoy free entry, with a more than two-hour wait on average at M+ museum
A record 23,000 people flocked to the M+ museum and 7,600 visitors packed the Hong Kong Palace Museum at the West Kowloon Cultural District arts hub on Saturday to enjoy free entry during handover celebrations, resulting in long waiting times at the former.
Both attractions offered free entry as part of promotions commemorating the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong’s July 1 return to Chinese rule. Long queues formed at M+ museum as it did not require registration in advance, while the Palace Museum did.
At lunchtime, thousands of people braved the rainy weather in the hopes of entering the M+ museum, where police officers were present to keep order.
Abby Wu, a 34-year-old who works in finance, went to the museum with her husband and their daughter, 8, along with family friends.
“We came here as it’s free and also to enjoy the celebratory mood,” she said, adding she had never seen such huge crowds at the venue before.
Some residents were scared away by the large crowds, including retired clerk Amy Lam.
