In this paper, I examine Hong Kong's identity and citizenship through the Chinese landscape painting, "Mountain Palace", by Dong Yuan. Specifically, I ask: how can a reading of "Mountain Palace" using Jullien's concepts of presence and absence provide insights into current issues of identity and citizenship in Hong Kong? I argue that citizenship is not a static identity but a manifestation of historical processes in a constant state of becoming. Rather than focusing on political tensions or recolonization, I suggest that Hong Kong is already part of Mainland China, but its unique identity needs to be recognized.