My personal experience visiting the Hidden Pearls Exhibition

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The "Hidden Pearls of the Ocean" exhibition is currently being held at Cityplaza. The large venue was not crowded during our visit, allowing the public to rediscover oyster reefs, a forgotten natural resource and marine ecosystem along Hong Kong's coast, and understand their significant ecological, cultural, and community value.

The exhibition uses accessible methods to explain how oyster reefs, once widespread along Hong Kong's coast, have quietly disappeared, along with their multiple benefits for marine life, water quality, and coastal protection. The exhibition aims to raise public awareness, rediscover these forgotten natural allies, and promote dialogue and action for shared ocean conservation.

The exhibition blends scientific education, cultural stories, and interactive experiences, offering a fresh and engaging learning experience for all ages. Visitors will explore the ecological, historical, and cultural value of oyster reefs through diverse exhibits and interactive activities. The new exhibition area features new scenes and interactive features designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of local marine ecology.

Visitors can delve into the fascinating world of oysters in the OysterScope Lab, observing through a microscope the life cycle of an oyster, from tiny larvae to reef-builders. This rare, up-close-and-personal experience brings marine biology to life.

Just steps away, visitors can participate in the Giant Oyster Baby Meet and Greet. This vibrant, fun, and engaging marine photo-op showcases adorable giant, furry oysters alongside a vibrant array of marine life, creating the perfect setting for capturing cherished memories and immersing themselves in the vibrant energy of the ocean.

In addition to these new experiences, the exhibition retains a series of iconic exhibits. Visitors can embark on a virtual journey into Deep Bay and Pak Nai; examine a life-size model of traditional oyster farming featuring authentic oyster posts from Deep Bay; and watch a demonstration of oyster filtration, learning how oysters naturally purify water. An interactive installation simulating coastal resilience illustrates how oyster reefs stabilize coastlines and mitigate erosion. The exhibition also features real marine specimens, offering a visual understanding of marine biodiversity. A new augmented reality game allows visitors to become marine conservationists, releasing virtual oyster shells and restoring digital marine habitats. The documentary "Hong Kong Reefs" will also be screened, retracing over a thousand years of oyster farming history and its cultural significance in the Pearl River Delta.

During the exhibition, participants who participate in interactive games or follow TNC on Instagram will have a chance to win limited-edition souvenirs, including beloved Oyster Babies and other themed gifts. First-come, first-served, while supplies last.

The exhibition comes at a critical time. Over 85% of oyster reefs worldwide have been lost due to coastal development, pollution, overharvesting, and climate change. In Hong Kong, only approximately 6% of our marine waters are protected, far below the global conservation target of 30%, placing important ecosystems like oyster reefs at high risk. Oysters are natural ecosystem engineers, effectively filtering large amounts of water, providing habitat for other marine species, and acting as a natural barrier to mitigate the impact of storm surges. In summer temperatures, a mature local oyster can filter up to 960 liters of water per day. The Hong Kong oyster (Magallana hongkongensis) has an even greater filtering capacity! It's a great place for environmentalists and those interested in oysters to admire and take photos. #HongKong

Post by Fannyng 1967 | Sep 3, 2025