West Kowloon Cultural District Makes its Debut in Chinese Mainland with 2025 Shanghai WestK Culture Week
Hong Kong’s premier cultural landmark, the West Kowloon Cultural District, is making its first foray into the mainland of China with the 2025 Shanghai WestK Culture Week, running from June 18 to 22. In collaboration with six of Shanghai’s leading cultural institutions and venues, the event will showcase seven flagship programs, including original exhibitions, performing arts, and brand promotion activities.
Kicking off with I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture
The opening highlight of Shanghai WestK Culture Week is the I. M. Pei: Life Is Architecture exhibition, co-presented by Power Station of Art (Shanghai) and M+ (Hong Kong), which has been open to the public since April 26. The exhibition has drawn an overwhelming response, attracting nearly 10,000 daily visitors at its peak.
As part of the Culture Week, M+ and Power Station of Art will host a free public lecture on June 19, titled Beyond Form: a Dialogue between Xu Bing and Sandi Pei on I. M. Pei, Art, and Architecture. The talk will feature Sandi Pei, I. M. Pei’s son and founder of Pei Partnership Architects, alongside renowned artist Xu Bing, moderated by Shirley Surya, the exhibition’s co-curator. The discussion will delve into I. M. Pei’s artistic influences, creative philosophy, and collaborations with contemporary artists.
Cantonese Musical The Impossible Trial Makes a Triumphant Shanghai Premiere
Another marquee event is the Cantonese musical The Impossible Trial, a WKCD-commissioned production co-presented with Hong Kong Repertory Theatre. Following its success in Hong Kong, the musical is now touring the mainland of China, with 12 performances at Shanghai Culture Square from June 17 to 29. Due to overwhelming demand, two additional shows have been added on June 22 and 28, with only limited tickets remaining.
The production boasts a stellar creative team, including composer and music director Leon Ko, lyricist Chris Shum, playwright Nick Cheung, and director Fong Chun Kit. The cast features Hong Kong stage veterans such as Liu Shouzheng, Jordan Cheng, and Ting Tung-yan, alongside rising talents from Hong Kong and Chinese mainland. The 2025 tour is title-sponsored by HSBC Insurance and supported by the National Arts Fund.
Hong Kong Palace Museum Exhibition: City Rhythms: Chinese Traditional Culture Reinterpreted
The Hong Kong Palace Museum will present City Rhythms: Chinese Traditional Culture Reinterpreted at Shanghai’s Zhang Garden from June 20 to July 31. Curated exclusively for Shanghai WestK Culture Week, the exhibition explores traditional Chinese garden art through a contemporary lens, featuring 16 Hong Kong artists working across painting, video, and multimedia.
Highlights include works by Kasing Lung (creator of the Labubu art toys), Stanley Wong, composer Frederick Lam, and emerging talents such as Peep and Sketchup. The exhibition is free to the public, with reservations available via the HKPM WeChat mini-program.
On June 21, Hong Kong Palace Museum and Jiefang Daily’s Shanghai Observer will co-host a cultural salon, Flowing Landscapes: from Traditional Culture to Urban Texture.
Performing Arts: Jazz, Cantonese Opera, and Contemporary Dance
WestK Performing Arts will present Live in Shanghai, a three-night jazz series at JZ Club, featuring Hong Kong’s brightest young musicians:
Ashley Lin (jazz-pop vocalist)
Cy Leo Ho (world champion harmonica player)
Walter Kwan (singer-songwriter blending soul and jazz)
Daniel Chu (improvisational pianist)
In collaboration with Wanping Theatre, Xiqu Centre will stage two performances of the experimental Cantonese opera Farewell My Concubine (New Adaptation) on June 20–21. This WKCD-commissioned production reimagines the classic tale with contemporary staging while preserving traditional opera artistry.
Contemporary dance takes center stage on June 21–22 at Shanghai International Dance Center Theater, with:
"Convergence" – A dance-martial arts fusion by Hong Kong Dance Company artistic director Yang Yuntao.
"PHONATE (solo)" – A mesmerizing solo piece by choreographer Poon Yiu Sum, exploring breath and spirituality.
An accompanying exhibition, PHONATE (Vanishing Strikethrough), will open on June 18, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.
A Cultural Bridge between Two Cities
Betty FUNG CHING Suk-yee, CEO of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, remarked:
"Shanghai WestK Culture Week is not just an art festival—it’s a meeting of minds. Over 100 Hong Kong artists will engage in dialogue with their Shanghai counterparts, sparking new collaborations. We invite Shanghai audiences to experience Hong Kong’s vibrant culture and visit WKCD to see our dynamic art scene firsthand."