Jin Yong Gallery

Free Admission

Dr Louis Cha is a world-famous Hong Kong journalist, community leader and literary giant. In 1955, he published his first martial arts novel The Book and the Sword, in New Evening Post, under the pen name Jin Yong coincidentally. The novel was an instant success, and he went on to create 15 extremely popular martial arts novels, ending with The Deer and the Cauldron in 1972. Jin Yong is the most influential Chinese martial arts novel writer in the 20th century, with readers across the globe.

Jin Yong's martial arts novels have inspired producers of movies, TV series, radio dramas, stage dramas, video games and various cultural and creative products, deeply influencing the development of popular culture of Hong Kong over the past decades, and even becoming a type of common language for Chinese readers around the world.

The Gallery displays more than 300 exhibits featuring the early career of Dr Louis Cha (Jin Yong), the creative process behind his martial arts novels and the impact the novels have had on Hong Kong's popular culture. Together with the interactive exhibits which include excerpts from films and TV drama series adapted from Jin Yong's novels, along with theme songs, the exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to delve into the knowledge embedded in his martial arts novels.

With a view to ensuring a comfortable environment for visitors to enjoy the exhibition, we will adopt admission control on site when necessary. Your kind understanding and co-operation are much appreciated.

Exhibit Highlights

Bound Editions of The Demi-Gods and the Semi-Devils

1963 to 1966
Donated by Mr and Mrs Herman Tse

A Couplet handwritten by Jin Yong

Jin Yong created this couplet using the first Chinese character of
the titles of his 14 novels and novellas.
Only the short story, Sword of the Yue Maiden, is not included.

Courtesy of the family of Dr. Louis Cha

Paperback Edition of The Giant Eagle and Its Companion

Late 1950s to Early 1960s
Courtesy of Dr Yau Kin-yan Clarence

Manuscripts of the New Edition of
The Demi-Gods and the Semi-Devils

2000s
Courtesy of the family of Dr. Louis Cha

Jin Yong and the Main Cast of the Film
The Story of the Great Heroes

1960
(From left) Patrick Tse, Jin Yong, Nam Hung, Leung So Kam
Courtesy of the family of Dr. Louis Cha

An Illustration for The Book and the Sword by Wong Sze Ma

1970s
Courtesy of the family of Dr. Louis Cha

Special Issue of TV Drama Series
The Legend of the Condor Heroes I

1983
Courtesy of the family of Dr. Louis Cha

The Inaugural Issue of Ming Pao Daily News

20 May 1959
Courtesy of Mr Homan Lam

The Inaugural Issue of Southeast Asia Weekly

12 January 1964
Courtesy of Mr Ng Kwai-lung

The Original Illustration for the Cover of the Japanese Edition of
The Eagle-shooting Heroes by Mr Lee Chi-ching

1990s
Collection of Hong Kong Heritage Museum

Dr Louis Cha's Go Board and Stones

1980s
Courtesy of the family of Dr. Louis Cha

Dr Cha developed a keen interest in Go chess when he was in
junior secondary school. Descriptions of exciting Go games can be found in many of his novels, such as The Book and the Sword, The Sword Stained with Royal Blood,
The Demi-Gods and the Semi-Devils,
and The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.