In 629 AD (the third year of the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenguan era), the monk Xuanzang was around 28 years old when he set out from Chang’an on a westward journey in search of original Buddhist scriptures. During his 17-year odyssey, Xuanzang traversed eight hundred li (approximately 400 km) of desert and crossed the snow-capped and treacherous Pamir Mountains throughout Central Asia and Tianzhu (the Indian subcontinent). The epic and firsthand account of his journey was first dictated and compiled into The Great Tang Dynasty Record of the Western Regions, and later transcribed by his disciples as A Biography of the Tripiṭaka Master of the Great Ci'en Monastery of the Great Tang Dynasty. With the passage of time, his solitary quest for the Dharma was reimagined by Ming Dynasty writers as Journey to the West, the well-known fantasy adventure of a master and his three disciples who vanquished demons and monsters. The work had since become a perennial classic of Chinese literature, capturing the imagination of Chinese throughout history.

The wild imagination and vivid characters of Journey to the West have been an everlasting source of inspiration for the world of cinema. From the visual storytelling during the silent film era to the wave of adaptations in post-war Hong Kong, generations of filmmakers have reinterpreted this classic with contemporary perspectives of their times.

Riding on the Chinese Culture Festival 2026’s theme of “Legends”, the Hong Kong Film Archive proudly presents the screening programme “Journeys to the West: Cinematic Dialogues Across Time” as a tribute to the golden age of the Sui-Tang dynasties. Featuring three pairs and a total of six film classics with distinct styles, the programme guides audiences through the aesthetics of adaptations across different eras.

The opening screening will feature the Hong Kong Film Archive’s newly 4K digitally restored versions of A Chinese Odyssey Part One—Pandora’s Box and A Chinese Odyssey Part Two—Cinderella (1995). Lau’s rampant imagination not only matches the caliber of Stephen Chow’s masterful performance but also infuses Mo Lei Tau (nonsensical) humour with touching elements of romance, making the two films enduring classics in Hong Kong comedy cinema.

Looking back to the 1960s, The Monkey Goes West and Princess Iron Fan (1966) by Shaw Brothers showcase the production capabilities and special effects standards of major film studios at the time. The films also incorporate huangmei diaosinging that blends perfectly with early special effects during the era.

The Monkey King (2014) and The Monkey King 2 (2016) by Soi Cheang employ advanced CGI to enhance Hong Kong-style action design, redefining battle sequences amidst visual spectacles and infusing traditional tales with modern values.

From Xuanzang’s real-life journey to the mythological gods and demons of the Ming Dynasty and onward to the flourishing diversity of Hong Kong cinema, Chinese culture remains enduring and vibrant to this day through constant dialogue and innovation. Welcome to this exciting journey and cinematic dialogue where you can experience the timeless charm of Journey to the West on the silver screen!

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The Chinese Culture Festival (CCF), presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Chinese Culture Promotion Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, promotes Chinese culture and enhances the public’s national identity and cultural confidence. It also attracts leading artists and arts groups from the Chinese Mainland and around the world for exchanges in Chinese arts and culture. CCF 2026 takes place from June to September, presenting a diverse array of performing arts programmes and extension activities, including selected programmes of the Chinese Opera Festival, film screenings, exhibitions, and community and school activities. The festival offers the public and visitors more opportunities to experience fine traditional Chinese culture, thereby facilitating patriotic education and contributing to its inheritance, transformation and development in Hong Kong. For more information on CCF 2026, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ccpo/index.html.