As early as the 1920s, many Hong Kong businessmen began installing neon signs on the upper floors of tenement buildings to attract customers. After World War II, neon signs became even more popular in Hong Kong.
Neon signs are not only one of Hong Kong’s most iconic features, but they have always been a part of the city. At night, neon signs reflect the unique charm of Hong Kong. In the 1950s, many neon masters from the Mainland moved to Hong Kong, bringing with them new neon techniques, and in the 1970s, as Hong Kong’s economy boomed, stores created eye-catching neon signs to attract customers.
With the development of technology and changing market demand, neon lights are gradually being replaced by new technologies such as LEDs, and market demand is declining. For safety reasons, in recent years, the Hong Kong government has retained some of the neon signs while removing those that do not comply with the regulations.