So many of Hong Kong’s neon lights are gone now. Some streets look completely bare compared to a decade or two ago.
But I’ve noticed that the pawn shop signs are still going pretty strong. If pawn shops have closed up, the signs are of course gone. But if they’re still standing, they usually still have their bat-shaped neon sign, which has become iconic to Hong Kong.
I found these in Central last month:
And this one in Causeway Bay:
I love this one so much, here’s another view with the whole retro bridge:
A few years ago I drooled over this one in Wanchai, but it’s gone now, building and all. What a shame.
I’m not sure this one is still around, but it was a few years ago in the Western District.
Not all these pawn shops have the same name, but the signs are all shaped like bats and use the same color scheme. Pawn shops were some of the first businesses in Hong Kong and when they go, so goes Hong Kong’s history.
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