Hong Kong artisans build cars of paper and bamboo for funerals
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In Hong Kong, craftspeople at workshops like Tai Cheong Loong create detailed paper and bamboo models of cars to offer to deceased family members.
This tradition began in the 1950s and has evolved over time to reflect changing tastes and desires. Artisans build structures from bamboo, then cover them with paper to form car bodies, adding details like wheels and interiors.
The workshop’s catalog shows they’ve always included vehicles among the items crafted for the afterlife, initially building models of brands like Porsche, Ferrari, and Rolls-Royce. Recently, they’ve expanded to include modern and electric vehicles such as Tesla Model S, Zeekr X, and BMW iX, alongside classics like the Volkswagen Beetle. The practice is now officially recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by the Hong Kong government.
Researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong Press documented 134 of these crafted objects, noting that they reflect what Hong Kong society values and desires, and have expanded from everyday items to include luxury goods. The workshop makes these items on commission, creating replicas that can closely match the size and details of the real cars.
