Wikipedia

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is a wax museum situated in the Peak Tower on Hong Kong Island. It opened in 2000 and was the first branch of the Marie Tussaud museum to be established in Asia.[1] The museum features approximately 100 wax figures, including a substantial number representing Asian personalities, with sixteen figures originating from Hong Kong.[2][3] The exhibits are arranged into themed zones, such as Hong Kong Glamour, Music Icons, Historical and National Heroes, The Champions, and World Premiere.

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
The entrance to Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
Traditional Chinese香港杜莎夫人蠟像館
Simplified Chinese香港杜莎夫人蜡像馆
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinXiānggǎng Dùshā Fūrén Làxiàngguǎn
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationHēung góng douh sāa fū yàhn laahp jeuhng gún
JyutpingHoeng1 gong2 dou6 saa1 fu1 jan4 laap6 zoeng6 gun2

History

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The Peak Tower at Victoria Peak, Hong Kong.

In the late 1990s, Madame Tussauds operated museums in several major cities, including London, Amsterdam, and Las Vegas. However, the Asia–Pacific region remained unrepresented. In response, the Tussauds Group launched a touring exhibition titled Madame Tussaud's Touring Attraction, which visited Singapore and Australia and received a positive public response. Encouraged by the reception, the Group selected Hong Kong as the location for its first permanent venue in Asia, citing its strategic proximity to regional markets.[1]

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong opened in 2000 at The Peak, featuring a substantial collection of wax figures representing internationally recognized individuals as well as prominent Hong Kong celebrities. More than one-third of the exhibits portray Asian personalities. The museum has regularly hosted figure unveiling ceremonies, often attended by the celebrities themselves and their fans. In 2005, the venue underwent a significant renovation to enhance interactivity and visitor engagement. The upgraded facility reopened on 18 May 2006 following a 20 million Hong Kong dollars (US$2.6 million) investment, which expanded the exhibition area by 700 square metres (7,500 sq ft) across three floors and introduced five themed zones.[4] These include Hong Kong Glamour, Music Icons, Historical and National Heroes, The Champions, and World Premiere, where visitors can interact with figures in immersive settings.[1]

As of 2008, the museum is managed by Bret Pidgeon, who also oversees the Shanghai branch. Pidgeon previously served at Madame Tussauds New York for eight years.[5] The Hong Kong location is accessible by minibus, taxi, or the Peak Tram from Central. It operates daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Admission fees are HK$140 (US$18) for adults and HK$70 (US$9) for children aged 3 to 11.[6]

Wax figure making process

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The wax likeness of singer and movie star Andy Lau

Creating a wax figure involves multiple sittings with the celebrity, during which a sculptor from Madame Tussauds Studios records details such as hair and eye colour and takes over 500 body measurements.[7] The primary objective is to capture the subject’s likeness and personality accurately. A clay model is initially sculpted and used to create a mould. Wax casts of the head and hands are produced, into which hand-painted acrylic eyes are inserted. Real human hair is applied strand by strand for realism.[7]

The figure is then coloured using a mixture of oil, water, and acrylic. The body is cast in fibreglass, to which the wax head and hands are attached. Clothing is often donated by the celebrity, and the pose, facial expression, and styling aim to ensure maximum authenticity. Each figure takes approximately six months to complete and involves a team of around 20 artists.[7] The cost per figure is estimated at HK$1 million.[8]

Unique figures

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Several figures at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong are notable for their innovation or cultural significance:

  • The figure of Miriam Yeung (unveiled November 2006) – the first wax figure globally to feature built-in sensors that allow it to giggle, reflecting Yeung’s well-known lively personality.[9]
  • The figure of Connie Chan (unveiled August 2006) – the first figure dressed in full traditional Chinese regalia. The costume was inspired by her role in the musical Only You, set in the Yuan Dynasty.[10]
  • The figure of Bae Yong-joon (unveiled May 2006) – the first Korean celebrity to be represented in a Madame Tussauds museum.[11]
  • The figure of Andy Lau (unveiled April 2005) – the museum’s first animatronic figure, made from silicone rather than wax. Lau’s model features a heartbeat mechanism inspired by a similar animatronic installed for Brad Pitt in the Madame Tussauds Amsterdam.[8]
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The list of featured celebrities sorted according to on-site themes are:[2]

Madame Tussauds Shanghai

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Madame Tussauds’ second Asian location was established in Shanghai following the city’s growing status as a cultural and tourist hub in East Asia. In early 2004, the Tussauds Group entered discussions with local authorities, resulting in an agreement to open a new museum. Madame Tussauds Shanghai (Chinese: 上海杜莎夫人臘像館) opened on 1 May 2006 on the 10th floor of the New World Department Store on West Nanjing Road.[27]

The Shanghai venue currently features approximately 75 wax figures of both Chinese and international celebrities, with additional expansion phases planned.[28] The museum is divided into seven themed zones: Glamour, Behind the Scenes, History and Heroes, Music, Film, Speed, and Sport. It operates daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Admission is 135 Renminbi (US$20) for adults and students.[29] Shanghai became the sixth Madame Tussauds museum worldwide, following those in London, Amsterdam, Las Vegas, New York, and Hong Kong.[28]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "History of Madame Tussauds: 1980-2000s". Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 14 January 2004. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
  2. ^ a b The Tussauds Group (2006). Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Guidebook. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
  3. ^ "News: Press Clippings". Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  4. ^ "Aaron Kwok's figure unveils at newly revamped Madame Tussauds Hong Kong". Xinhua News Agency. 22 May 2006.
  5. ^ "Bret Pidgeon – General manager Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and Shanghai". South China Morning Post. 7 April 2008. p. FB Business, Technology.
  6. ^ "Madame Tussauds Hong Kong: General Admission". Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 14 August 2006. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  7. ^ a b c Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Guidebook (2006) – "Studio Secrets: Wax Figure Making Process".
  8. ^ a b Gentle, Nick (6 February 2005). "Fans to turn the tables on heart-throb Andy Lau". South China Morning Post. p. FT News, Education.
  9. ^ "She's made to measure with a giggle". South China Morning Post. 17 August 2006. p. FT News, Education.
  10. ^ "Actress Connie Chan Po-chu checks out her wax model as it is unveiled at Madame Tussauds...". South China Morning Post. 31 August 2006. p. FT News, Education.
  11. ^ "It was supposed to be all about Korean film star Bae Yong-jun being immortalised...". South China Morning Post. 16 May 2006. p. FT News, Education.
  12. ^ "Leo Ku Comes Face to Face with his Cartoon Creation "Kubi" as Madame Tussauds..." Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2007.
  13. ^ a b c d "Vidal does a double take, then waxes lyrical". South China Morning Post. 21 July 2007.
  14. ^ "Waxing historical: Simon Yam Tat-wah and Qi Qi pose with wax figures of their...". South China Morning Post. 28 September 2007. p. FT News, Education.
  15. ^ "Donnie Yen figure revealed as Ip Man". Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  16. ^ "Welcome Jet Li to its A-List kung fu superstars". Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  17. ^ "Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Unveils Pia Wurtzbach as The First Ever Filipino Wax Figure". Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Jackson Wang Unveiled His World's First Lifelike Wax Figure". Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  19. ^ "Ronaldinho wax figure arrives Hong Kong (Chinese)". 21 December 2008. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008.
  20. ^ Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. "President Barack Obama Takes Office". Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 3 April 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  21. ^ "Prince William joins royal family in Madame Tussauds HK". Xinhua News Agency. 7 August 2007.
  22. ^ "Hong Kong's Donald Tsang gives trademark bow tie to wax figure". Xinhua News Agency. 7 April 2008.
  23. ^ "PM Modi joins world leaders at Madame Tussauds". ABP Live. 20 April 2016.
  24. ^ "Presiden Soekarno Hadir di Madame Tussauds Hongkong" (in Indonesian). kompas.com. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  25. ^ "Madame Tussauds Hong Kong to feature Jokowi wax figure this summer". thejakartapost.com. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  26. ^ Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. "Wax Donald Trump Presidential Inauguration". Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Shanghai's house of wax all set". China Daily. 25 April 2006. p. Industry updates section.
  28. ^ a b Xu, Xiaomin (2 May 2006). "Meeting Stars Face-To-Face in Shanghai". China Daily.
  29. ^ "Madame Tussauds Shanghai: General Admission (Chinese)". Madame Tussauds Shanghai. Archived from the original on 14 July 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2008.
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