Xiqu Centre is a performing-arts venue in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District, dedicated to Chinese traditional theatre, including Cantonese opera. You can plan your visit around a performance, a guided tour or activities in the public atrium.
- Location: 88 Austin Road West, at the junction of Canton Road and Austin Road.
- From Tsim Sha Tsui Station: WestK gives an approximately 15-minute walk via Exit E.
- General opening hours: 10:00am–10:30pm daily.
- Ticket basics: A valid ticket or pass is required to enter a performance venue.
What does Xiqu Centre present?
Xiqu Centre presents traditional and contemporary xiqu, with Cantonese opera among the forms on its programme. The venue opened to the public in January 2019, on the eastern edge of West Kowloon.
The Grand Theatre has more than 1,000 seats and hosts xiqu performances. For a smaller-scale setting, the Tea House Theatre seats up to 200 people and presents programmes including the regular Magic Tea House introduction to Cantonese opera by the Tea House Rising Stars Troupe.
The public atrium is an open space for visitors, with music performances, exhibitions and related cultural activities. It offers a way to encounter the centre’s cultural programme beyond its ticketed performance venues.
How can you plan a performance or visit?
Choose between a performance, a guided tour, a free talk or a visit to the public atrium, depending on what is scheduled. WestK describes its guided tours as 60 minutes long and conducted in Cantonese, English or Mandarin.
The centre’s free talks run for 90 minutes after office hours and at weekends, and cover topics related to performance; some include live demonstrations. If you want to see a show, check the programme for the Grand Theatre or Tea House Theatre rather than assuming both spaces have the same type of performance.
Performances require a valid admission ticket or pass. Inside Xiqu Centre, unauthorised filming, photography, video, audio recording and other recording of images or sound are prohibited.
How do you get to Xiqu Centre from Tsim Sha Tsui?
From Tsim Sha Tsui Station, follow the route via Exit E for an approximately 15-minute walk to Xiqu Centre. The centre’s address is 88 Austin Road West, at the junction of Canton Road and Austin Road.
Austin Station’s Exit E is approximately a 1-minute walk from the centre. From Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, the walk takes approximately 10 minutes via Austin Station. If you arrive at China Ferry Terminal at China Hong Kong City, WestK gives a 1-minute walk along Canton Road to the venue.
Before setting out, check the official site before you go for current programme and access announcements; hours can be adjusted in some circumstances.
What else can you visit in West Kowloon?
Hong Kong Palace Museum is another cultural stop in the West Kowloon Cultural District. You can combine it with Xiqu Centre as part of a district visit; use the Hong Kong Palace Museum visit guide to plan that stop separately.
The Avenue of Stars is another cultural stop to include in a Tsim Sha Tsui visit.
The Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui offers a different waterfront stop.
FAQs
What is xiqu?
Xiqu refers to Chinese traditional theatre. Xiqu Centre presents several forms, including Cantonese opera.
Do you need a ticket to enter Xiqu Centre?
A valid admission ticket or pass is required to enter the performance venues. The public atrium is an open space for visitors.
How long is a Xiqu Centre guided tour?
WestK describes its guided tours as 60 minutes long, with tours conducted in Cantonese, English or Mandarin.
Can you take photos during a performance?
Unauthorised photography, filming and other recording of images or sound are prohibited inside Xiqu Centre.