Passengers at the Hong Kong and Central MTR stations can enjoy an exhibition that focuses on martial-arts icon Bruce Lee (1940-73).

The Formless Way: Memorialising 85 Years Since Bruce Lee’s Birth, presented by MTR Corp in partnership with the Bruce Lee Foundation and the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, opened on Tuesday. It is the first exhibition about Lee to be held outside a gallery setting. The title echoes Lee’s life philosophy, “Be water”, which encourages martial arts practitioners to be shapeless and adaptable, soft and strong like water, making its way through cracks.

The exhibition is divided into two zones: one at Hong Kong station’s Living Art Stage, which ends on Dec 8, and the other at the Central station’s ArtTube at Exit J, which will be open through summer 2026.

The Hong Kong station section features a statue of Lee in his signature move, dressed in his iconic yellow tracksuit. To its right is an installation of Lee’s words of wisdom, such as “Using no way as way, having no limitation as limitation.” To the left is an immersive interactive experience area, where a screen shows Lee’s life, and a red telephone booth invites visitors to engage in a dialogue with the legendary martial artist.

At the Central station, the display has been artistically transformed with walls, doors and columns, with a spotlight on rare photos and art installations related to Lee’s philosophical insights, his journey of self-discovery, and a timeline of his life in Hong Kong.

One notable section focuses on Jeet Kune Do (JKD) — a martial arts system and philosophy that Lee created in 1967. Lee believed that “simplicity” embodies the highest level of martial arts. The introduction explains that to achieve strength and efficiency, one must remove all unnecessary movements. JKD teaches that “through simplification and constant adjustment, we shall all find our way”, according to the exhibition notes.

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During Tuesday’s opening ceremony at the Hong Kong station, Mable Chan, Hong Kong secretary for transport and logistics, said: “Bruce Lee is a symbolic figure of Hong Kong to the world, and his spirit of striving for breakthroughs at the top is also reflected in our public transportation development.

“We have the world’s best public transportation system with a comprehensive railway network that aligns with international standards. However, we must continue to seek ‘breakthroughs’ to build a new railway standard for Hong Kong’s railway system, and make it one of the new ‘world standards’,” she added.

MTR CEO Jacob Kam Chak-pui said the martial arts philosophy of Lee, who introduced Chinese martial arts to the world, has transcended traditional boundaries and embodied a revolutionary way of thinking about martial arts. “This spirit resonates with MTR’s commitment to agility, efficiency, and continuous innovation amid the rhythm of city life,” Kam said.

Kam said that by showcasing Lee’s precious collections, the exhibition aims to create an inspiring cultural space amid the urban hustle through an interactive experience. “We invite passengers to embark on this cultural journey and draw inspiration from Bruce Lee’s philosophical wisdom toward achieving breakthroughs and innovation,” he said.

Shannon Lee, the daughter of Bruce Lee and founder and chairperson of the Bruce Lee Foundation, said it’s “an incredible honor” to celebrate her father’s 85th birthday in Hong Kong — the city where he grew up and achieved extraordinary success before moving to the US when he was 19.

She described the MTR exhibitions as “the ideal platform” to promote Bruce Lee’s spirit and philosophy.

“The MTR is a vital connector of communities in Hong Kong, much like my father’s legacy, which transcends generations and cultures,” Shannon Lee said. “It is my hope that the public can gain insights into his resilience and wisdom during their daily journeys as they flow throughout the city.”

When asked what message she has for young people who look up to her father, Shannon Lee said her father’s legacy is really one of curiosity, of continuing to learn.

“(It’s) also about working on yourself, trying to fulfill your potential, walking on your own path, and discovering who you are as a person and how I can express who I am out to the world, and to put efforts with it. That’s really the lasting piece that everybody can take away from it.”

Donnie Yen Chi-tan, a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker and martial artist, said at the event that he was heavily influenced by Bruce Lee when he was young. “In the 1970s, when I was about 11 or 12 in the US, I used to hold broomsticks as nunchaku to act like Bruce Lee, and people called me Bruce Lee,” Yen said.

Yen said he was so engrossed in Lee’s martial arts that he returned to Hong Kong to pursue acting, and Lee’s philosophy and style have been ubiquitous in his own movies.

Yen said he believes Lee was not just a philosopher but also a great martial artist and innovator. “He has made kung fu movies more realistic, and he has also changed the language of movies,” Yen said.

He revealed plans to discuss with Shannon Lee the possibility of including a role for Bruce Lee in his fifth Ip Man movie. The four-installment series focuses on Ip, a grandmaster of the martial-arts form Wing Chun, and Bruce Lee’s teacher.