"The Ways in Patterns": HKPM's latest immersive digital exhibition

Editor︰Ryu

The Hong Kong Palace Museum launched its first-ever co-hosted exhibition with the Palace Museum in Beijing: "The Ways in Patterns"—an immersive digital experience.

Think traditional motifs from palace architecture, ceramics, textiles, and more, all brought to life with multimedia tech. It’s basically a dreamy, interactive dive into the secret language of Chinese decorative art.

Want a sneak peek? Let’s take a virtual tour of the exhibit right now and immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of Chinese aesthetics!

7 sections to experience the aesthetics of traditional patterns

What kind of marvelous experience will it be when traditional Chinese patterns meet digitalisation?

The special exhibition "The Ways in Patterns—an immersive digital exhibition" centers around "Palace Museum patterns," using innovative digital methods to bring a stunning visual feast while also presenting the cultural connotation behind the patterns.

"The Ways in Patterns—an immersive digital exhibition" will be showcased from today until October 13 in Gallery 7 of the Hong Kong Palace Museum. (Image Source: HKPM)

Entering the exhibition hall, under the guidance of the Palace Museum's auspicious beast cartoons, you will immediately step into a world filled with patterns and designs!

The entire exhibition comprises seven major units, comprehensively showcasing the artistic essence of the Forbidden City, from grand palace architecture to the intricate patterns on furniture, objects, and clothing.

Through innovative technologies like curtain projection, radar sensing, and digital modeling and rendering, these patterns are "reborn," allowing visitors not only to see but also to "touch" them.

You can get close to the curtains and awaken elements within the woven embroidery, stepping into a world rich in color and detail. (Image Source: HKPM)
"The Ways in Patterns" presents a visual feast through digital technology, where similar patterns can also be found in the Hong Kong Palace Museum. (Image Source: Palace Museum)
"The Ways in Patterns" presents a visual feast through digital technology, where similar patterns can also be found in the Hong Kong Palace Museum. (Image Source: Palace Museum)
Step-by-step, the patterns dynamically unfold beneath your feet. (Image Source: HKPM)

Stand in front of the curtain, where the patterns transform into dynamic pictures in the digital light, like the waves in ceramic patterns, blooming flowers in woven artifacts, seasonal light variations of the Palace Museum architecture.

They even transform into rotating star charts of the caisson ceiling patterns, witnessing the fusion of Chinese aesthetics and digital art.

Look up and take in the colorful world of the Palace Museum's caisson ceilings. (Image Source: HKPM)
When you touch the wall, pattern hints appear, allowing you to explore the rich patterns hidden within the artifacts. (Image Source: HKPM)
Stroll along the outside of the red palace walls and feel the seasonal light changes at the Palace Museum. (Image Source: HKPM)
You can create your own exclusive patterns. (Image Source: HKPM)
The created works are immediately integrated into the projected artwork, giving traditional patterns "new life." (Image Source: HKPM)

You can also create your own exclusive patterns on the interactive screen.

The created works are immediately integrated into the projected artwork, giving traditional patterns "new life," completing this dialogue spanning 600 years between the ancient and modern.

The "The Ways in Patterns—an immersive digital exhibition" is on display from now until October 13, 2025, in Gallery 7 of the Hong Kong Palace Museum.

A series of workshops and check-in activities will be launched during the exhibition period, please refer to official announcements for details.

Read more: HKPM's "A Movable Feast": Discover the culinary culture of China

Exhibition Information

The Ways in Patterns—an immersive digital exhibition

Location: Hong Kong Palace Museum, Gallery 7

Exhibition Dates: May 14, 2025 to October 13, 2025

Ticket Prices: HKD 90 (Flexible Time Tickets), HKD 70 (Designated Time Tickets); If purchasing special exhibition tickets, visitors can also visit Galleries 1-7 and Galleries 8-9 on the same day

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