HSBC unveils four-metre lion sculpture and rare archives in 160th anniversary exhibition

Hong Kong – Commemorating 160 years of service, HSBC has opened an immersive exhibition that traces its evolution and enduring relationship with Hong Kong through rare artefacts and interactive displays.

Titled “HSBC 160th Anniversary Exhibition: From Stories Long Ago to Visions of Tomorrow”, the public showcase takes visitors on a journey through the bank’s history, beginning with its founding at 1 Queen’s Road Central in 1865.

Running from 17 October to 7 November 2025 at Duplex Studio, Tai Kwun, Central, the exhibition features a curated selection of artefacts from the HSBC Archives alongside immersive installations, including a four-metre-tall lion sculpture.

Unfolding across six themed zones, the exhibition explores different facets of HSBC’s heritage and its long-standing ties to Hong Kong. The experience opens with “The Journey Begins” zone — a recreation of a 1980s reception complete with period staff uniforms and marble-finished counters, reflecting the bank’s welcoming spirit during that era.

The “Vault of Legacy” zone, inspired by the 50-tonne vault in the HSBC Main Building, displays historical artefacts such as the bank’s original 1865 share certificate, early customer ledgers, and vintage passbooks — symbols of trust and continuity through the decades.

Another highlight, “The Money Aquarium”, presents a 360-degree immersive scene where origami sea creatures folded from HSBC banknotes glide through a digital ocean — a creative nod to the flow of currency and the cultural nicknames given to local banknotes, including the “golden threadfin bream” hundred-dollar note.

Visitors can also explore the “Banking Through the Ages” and “1 Queen’s Road Central” zones, which showcase the evolution of banking counters, equipment, and ledgers, offering a glimpse into how HSBC’s services advanced alongside Hong Kong’s growth. The “7 Queen’s Road Central” zone highlights each generation of the HSBC Main Building, charting the bank’s architectural transformation over time.

The journey concludes in the “Vision of Tomorrow” zone, anchored by the four-metre-tall lion sculpture inspired by HSBC’s iconic bronze guardians, Stephen and Stitt. Here, visitors can contribute to a living digital installation celebrating the bank’s legacy and future.

Registered guests who share their visit on social media can receive a commemorative gift such as Pantone red accessories, miniature lion sculptures, or mural postcards.

The exhibition is free and open to the public, with online registration required. More information is available on HSBC HK’s Facebook (@HSBCHK) and Instagram (@hsbc_hk) pages.