The Hong Kong Palace Museum has ignited the island city's interest in the motherland's rich heritage and 5,000-year history by opening a window into Chinese history.

And the craving to know more about that history is reflected in the sales of tickets. About 80 percent of the around 140,000 tickets up for sale in the first four weeks of July had already been sold. Some even queued up an hour before the museum opened at 9 am on Sunday to enter the exhibition early.

The opening of the museum, which is seen as a gift to Hong Kong people on the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland, is one of many cultural, recreational and sports events being organized in celebration.

The museum is showcasing more than 900 Chinese artifacts selected from over 1.86 million at its counterpart in Beijing. In July, the museum will entertain just 5,000 visitors per day in compliance with epidemic prevention and control measures, but the figure will rise to 7,000 per day in August. Admission to the museum will be free every Wednesday during the opening year.

The exhibits at the new landmark will provide visitors a deeper understanding of the Chinese civilization's 5,000-year history and enhance their cultural confidence and sense of national pride.

Undoubtedly the new museum will strengthen the bond between Hong Kong and the mainland. It should be cherished.

The author is a writer with China Daily.