Hong Kong neon signs: A guide to capturing the best neons in Hong Kong

In my humble opinion, this corner of neon signs is some of the best remaining signage still standing in Hong Kong. The sheer size and brightness of the Gam Lai Gung Karaoke Night Club signs that overhang the street corner mean that the entire corner is cast in a bright purple, reddish glow, with any subjects walking underneath it illuminated perfectly. For optimal results, wait until after the rain has settled to capture some beautiful reflections and maximize the effect of the glow from the signs overhead. I’d suggest a wide-angle lens (16mm or 24mm) to capture the entirety of the signage but if you don’t have a professional camera with an interchangeable lens, the wide-angle setting on your mobile phone should be sufficient.

Despite being a bit further off the beaten track, Sai Kung has two or three large neons that are still up and most definitely worth visiting. The largest of these is a neon sign outside Chuen Kee Seafood restaurant, one that depicts a giant fish splashing in the water. I’d recommend visiting here after a seafood dinner on the promenade, using the reflections of cars parked on the street to capture an extra dimension in your images. Once you’ve done that, you can walk around Sai Kung and discover the other neons hidden in the back alleys. A 24-70mm lens is recommended to allow you some freedom with your compositions. 

Some of the most famous signs in Yau Ma Tei are now long gone – the once resplendent Koon Nam Wah Bridal neon that hung across the road was removed in 2022 and replaced with a smaller, less ostentatious neon. Just around the corner from it though, you can find the colourful signage of Wo Hing Victory Mahjong, a gaming centre catered for those who’d like to gather with friends to play mahjong. During the pandemic, the neon facade remained off for sometimes days on end due to regulations on opening hours, but the centre now appears to have returned to usual hours with the signage illuminating every evening. You can get a variety of results using different lenses, but I’d suggest a 24-70mm lens or just using your mobile phone to have a certain amount of flexibility with composition. 

This location has everything you’d want from a nightly neon location in Hong Kong – buses, taxis, and neons of all shapes and sizes. If you walk around the area, you’ll be able to find a variety of neons and subjects to photograph, and, if you want more unique angles, head up to the top of the buildings next to the signs to get some top-down shots. 

Although Wing Wah has expanded to operate various branches throughout Hong Kong, the original branch in Yuen Long remains a special and significant part of their history. The business is located in a three-story building, adorned with a large neon sign – a distinctive rectangular, red and yellow signboard. If you get here during the right time of day, you can capture the light rail and passersby to give further context to your photos. Try either a 70-200mm lens for some compression, or a wider angle lens (a 24-70mm should do) to incorporate both the signage and the surrounding environment. 

This fishing village is home to many seafood stalls and restaurants, some of which have beautiful neon signs serving as eye-catching advertisements to passersby. When you arrive in Lei Yue Mun, don’t forget to take out your camera and capture the neons that illuminate the roofs of the surrounding restaurants.