- George Chung
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
The Hong Kong museum dedicated to martial arts legend Bruce Lee has closed its doors, citing financial difficulties — bringing an emotional end to a long-running tribute that drew fans from around the world.
Not to be confused with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, which remains open to the public and continues to celebrate Bruce Lee's legacy with vibrant displays.
The club began as a fan archive in 2000 by the Bruce Lee Club — a group founded by Lee’s family and closest fans housed over 2,000 artifacts, including rare film stills, vintage magazines, and sculptures of the late star. It reopened in a new location in 2019 after a lengthy hiatus. Its mission, rooted in Lee’s own philosophy, was to share his life, teachings, and spirit with future generations. For many international visitors, it became a pilgrimage site.
However, in a recent Facebook post, the club announced that rising expenses had forced them to “rethink how to most effectively utilize our resources to sustain the flame of Bruce Lee’s spirit.” A hoped-for financial recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic failed to materialize. “Reality fell short,” the statement read. It remains uncertain whether the museum will reopen.
Although born in San Francisco, Bruce Lee spent much of his childhood in Hong Kong, where he studied Wing Chun and launched his martial arts film career. It was here, near Lantau Island, that Enter the Dragon — his most iconic film — was shot.
In a 2009 conversation with Lee’s widow, Linda, recalled, “Bruce always considered himself a martial artist first and an actor second.” More than just a screen icon, Lee created a philosophy and fighting system, jeet kune do, which continues to influence martial artists around the world today.
His cultural impact has endured far beyond cinema. During Hong Kong’s 2019 pro-democracy protests, demonstrators invoked his famous line — “Be water, my friend” — drawn from the 1971 TV series Longstreet, as a metaphor for flexibility and resilience.
The museum’s final day on Tuesday drew crowds of devoted fans. Among them, many expressed sadness not only at the museum’s closure but at what they see as a gradual erasure of Lee’s legacy in his hometown.
As one fan put it, “It’s getting harder and harder to find places that connect Bruce Lee to the soul of Hong Kong.”'
Where Bruce Lee’s Spirit Lives On
Though the Hong Kong museum has closed, Lee’s martial arts legacy continues to be celebrated elsewhere:
The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California
Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, which hosted the exhibit Be Water, My Friend
Chinese Historical Society of America in San Francisco, which features a Bruce Lee exhibit
