During their heyday in Hong Kong in the second half of the 20th century, thousands of neon signs bathed the city in vividly coloured light every evening. In recent decades, however, they have been gradually disappearing. One reason for this is government regulation. Many of the signs were erected without permission from authorities and were deemed public safety hazards. In the early 2010s, new rules were introduced and many displays were slated for removal. The increased availability of LED lights has also contributed to the decline of neon signs; the former are generally cheaper and more energy efficient, and so make more sense for many businesses. Despite this, some sources estimate there still to be around 150 neon signs on buildings across the city. Here are 11 of the most impressive of them to see before the glow is gone for good. Kowloon Wo Hing Victory Mahjong , 385 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei. Near the Temple Street night market, Wo Hing Victory Mahjong has one of Hong Kong’s largest remaining neon signs. The multicoloured display wraps around the building, and at night illuminates the surroundings with its rainbow glow. Many neon displays have been removed from this part of the city in recent times, including the famous Koon Nam Wah Bridal sign, removed last summer, and the decades-old signs at Raja Fashions tailors and Tai Ping Koon restaurant, both removed since the start of 2023. However, there remain some impressive signs a short walk from Wo Hing Victory Mahjong, including at Mido Cafe on Temple Street and Fuji Sauna on Reclamation Street. Tai Cheong Optical Centre , Man Hing House, Tai Hang Sai Estate, Shek Kip Mei. Tai Hang Sai housing estate in Shek Kip Mei is home to the Tai Cheong Optical Centre and its unique neon sign featuring spectacle shapes. The glowing green rims encircle red Chinese characters that spell out the company’s name. Tai Cheong Optical Centre can be reached by turning left from Exit B2 of the Shek Kip Mei MTR station. One Hong Kong neon artist keeps his craft alive by teaching new generation Chiu Chow Lok Hau Fook Restaurant , 1-3 Hau Wong Road, Kowloon City. Chiu Chow Lok Hau Fook Restaurant has occupied this location since 1954 and is easy to find with its blue, red and gold-coloured, L-shaped signboard that protrudes out over the street. The building dates back to before World War II and the columns that frame its entrance feature Chinese characters – a feature once common on Hong Kong storefronts. There are a number of surviving neon signs in Kowloon City , but this may not be the case for long, because redevelopment of the area is planned over the coming years. Gam Lai Gung Karaoke Night Club , 7 Changsha Street, Mong Kok. In decades past, Mong Kok was arguably the most famous Hong Kong neighbourhood for neon signs, but unfortunately relatively few remain today. There is one street corner in the neighbourhood, however, where the glow is kept alive. The exterior of the Gam Lai Gung Karaoke Night Club, on the corner of Changsha and Portland streets, is adorned with four neon signs, including one that juts out over the road. Neon dreamers turn an icon of Hong Kong streets into art The concentration of neon in this spot makes it reminiscent of a Hong Kong street corner of decades past. Changsha Street is a five-minute walk from exit B1 of Mong Kok MTR station. New Territories Plentiful Delight Banquet , Ho Shun Tai Building, 10 Sai Ching Street, Yuen Long. The sign at Plentiful Delight Banquet dim sum restaurant in the New Territories neighbourhood of Yuen Long emanates warm hues of red and yellow. It is only five minutes’ walk from another of the area’s large neon signs, at Wing Wah. Meet one of Hong Kong’s last neon sign makers, surviving LED lights Wing Wah (Yuen Long) , 96 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long This Yuen Long institution has been serving mooncakes and other Chinese pastries since 1950. The company has since expanded to operate various branches across Hong Kong, but the original branch remains special. The business occupies a three-storey building with multiple neon signs including a large, rectangular signboard. Wing Wah (Tsuen Wan) , 43B Tsuen Wan Market Street, Tsuen Wan. Tsuen Wan , in Hong Kong’s New Territories, has one of the largest concentrations of neon of any area in Hong Kong, especially in the streets around Tsuen Wan Market. One of the more notable displays is at the local branch of Wing Wah cake shop. It is unusually shaped and, although not as big as the sign outside Wing Wah’s original Yuen Long branch, is attractive nonetheless. What’s more, it stands a short walk from a number of other neon signs that promote hotels, pawn shops and a foot massage parlour. Lights out for Hong Kong’s neon signs? Why tradition is losing its shine Wealth Banquet , 455 Kam Tin Road, Kam Tin. One of Hong Kong’s largest neon signs is nestled among village houses, in a residential neighbourhood where there’s not a high-rise in sight. Kam Tin is well known for its flea markets and historic walled village, but Wealth Banquet’s sign, which glows just off the area’s main road, is one of its more notable features after dark. The green, blue and red display features a roast goose, one of the restaurant’s popular dishes. There is also another, smaller neon sign by the side of the road. The nearest MTR station, Kam Sheung Road, is around 20 minutes’ walk away. Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant , 87-93 Man Nin Street, Sai Kung. On the Sai Kung waterfront, Chuen Kee was recommended in the 2022 Michelin Guide, and is a favourite of locals and visitors to the area in search of delicious seafood. The restaurant’s twin buildings each boast a large neon sign depicting a fish splashing in water. Sitting, bathed in the neon glow, with an assortment of seafood dishes, is a great way to end a day of hiking along one of the area’s trails or sunbathing at one of its many beaches . Hong Kong Island Lee Kung Man Knitting Factory , Fuk Kar Building, Johnston Road, Wan Chai. Lee Kung Man Knitting Factory was established in 1923 and is known for its jumpers, shirts and wool underwear. The Wan Chai location features a large neon signboard of glowing red characters and the company’s deer mascot. The best view of the sign is from the top deck of one of Hong Kong’s trams, which pass under the sign as they glide along Johnston Road. Other neon signs in the area include those at Ying Kee Tea House, also on Johnston Road, and the Park Excellent Hotel, on Hennessy Road. Sunbeam Theatre , 423 King’s Road, North Point. Since opening in 1972, Sunbeam Theatre, in the North Point neighbourhood, has been one of Hong Kong’s premier Cantonese opera venues. The theatre has a large red neon sign with four Chinese characters spelling out its name. The Sunbeam continues to host regular performances and film screenings, typically starting at 7.30pm, which is usually a great time to see the venue’s sign lit up.