Hong Kong's Endangered Traditional Crafts: A Guide to Living Heritage

A new guide from Lonely Planet highlights six traditional crafts still practiced in Hong Kong, many by only one or two remaining artisans. These crafts include hand-carved mahjong tiles at Kam Fat Mahjong in Hung Hom, where Ho Sau-mei has worked for over 40 years at the shop founded by her father in 1962; bespoke cheongsams at Linva Tailor in Central, founded in 1965, whose tailor Leung Ching-wah created dresses for Maggie Cheung in 'In the Mood for Love'; paper effigies for the afterlife at Bo Wah Effigies in Sham Shui Po, which now includes modern items like smartphones; wooden deity sculptures at Kwok Kee Woodware in Yau Ma Tei, a sixth-generation workshop; hand-painted minibus signs by Mak Kam-sang at Hawk Advertising Company in Jordan, who has been painting for over 50 years; and neon signs, with master Wong Kin-wah, who has nearly 70 years of experience, still practicing and teaching his grandson. The guide emphasizes the urgency of visiting these workshops, as many are at risk of disappearing. It also notes the impact of modernization, such as the removal of thousands of neon signs since 2014 under a Buildings Department program, and the acquisition of vintage signs by M+ museum. The crafts reflect Hong Kong's cultural heritage and the dedication of individuals preserving traditional skills.