A Hidden Gem in Hong Kong: Discover Woodcarvings and Antique Music Boxes in Chai Wan

A wall crowded with carved stories. A polished wooden cabinet concealing an intricate musical instrument. A turning tourbillon that brings miniature mechanics into view. Tucked away in Chai Wan, Memorigin’s Hong Kong showroom offers a rewarding detour for travellers drawn to art, antiques and the pleasure of discovering somewhere unexpected.

An unusual cultural stop beyond the familiar sights

If you are looking for things to do in Hong Kong beyond shopping and the best-known attractions, this private collection offers a different perspective. Chinese woodcarvings and antique music boxes share a setting with the work of a contemporary Hong Kong tourbillon brand. It is a place to look closely, ask questions and enjoy craftsmanship at a more personal pace.

The appeal is not limited to watch collectors. A traveller interested in decorative art might be drawn to the carved scenes; a music lover might be fascinated by the instruments inside the cabinets. For companions with different interests, the collection offers several ways into the same experience.

What to look for when you visit

Begin with the woodcarvings. Rather than trying to take in every object at once, choose a scene and follow its details: a figure’s gesture, layered leaves, a roofline or a creature tucked into the composition. Looking from the whole scene to a small passage reveals the decisions that make a carved image feel alive.

Then turn to the music boxes. Their size, cabinet work and exposed mechanisms challenge the familiar idea of a music box as a small souvenir. A photograph captures their appearance; an explanation of how the parts work adds another dimension. If you would particularly like a demonstration, mention that when arranging your appointment.

A Hong Kong story, seen through objects

The collection belongs to the world of Shum Mak-ling, father of Memorigin founder William Shum, JP. Its presence gives the showroom a character that a conventional watch display cannot convey on its own: older forms of artistic expression sit alongside present-day design.

For visitors, the pleasure lies in that encounter. Chinese decorative art, mechanical music and contemporary watchmaking offer different expressions of patience and ingenuity. You do not need specialist knowledge to appreciate them. Curiosity is a good starting point.

Make it part of a more personal Hong Kong itinerary

This visit suits travellers who enjoy discovering the stories behind a place, rather than only its most photographed views. Leave room in your itinerary to ask about what catches your eye. An unfamiliar motif or an intriguing instrument can become the beginning of a conversation, and a more lasting travel memory.

The setting is a working brand showroom and private collection, so plan ahead rather than arriving as you would at a walk-in attraction. An appointment lets you explain your interests and confirm the viewing arrangements before travelling to Chai Wan.

How to arrange your visit

The showroom is at Unit 803–4, Chai Wan Industrial City Phase 1, 60 Wing Tai Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong. When booking, share your preferred date, group size and language, and say whether your main interest is woodcarvings, music boxes, watches or a combination. The team can confirm what can be shown and discuss any demonstration requests.

If your ideal Hong Kong hidden gem is somewhere with a real collection and a story worth discovering, make time for a closer look. The most memorable detail may be the one you had never thought to search for.