HSBC celebrates 160 years with an immersive dive into history

To commemorate HSBC’s 160th anniversary, the bank has launched an immersive exhibition at Tai Kwun, inviting visitors to explore its legacy and deep connection with Hong Kong.

The “HSBC 160th Anniversary exhibition: From stories long ago to visions of tomorrow” (滙豐160週年展覽：細說豐年 滙聚未來) will be open to the public for free at Duplex Studio, Tai Kwun, Central, from 17 October to 7 November. Online registration is required and is now open.

Through a curated collection of rare artifacts from the HSBC Archives, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the bank's history, starting from its founding at 1 Queen’s Road Central in 1865 and highlighting its evolution and significant role in Hong Kong's growth and development over the decades.

The exhibition unfolds across six themed zones, each designed to capture a different facet of HSBC’s legacy and its enduring connection with Hong Kong. The experience kicks off in “The journey begins” (160年之旅 由此出發) zone - a recreation of a 1980s reception. This era is brought to life with the iconic staff uniforms of the time - striped summer ensembles that combined fashion-forward elegance with practicality. Set against marble-like finished counters, the scene vividly captures a moment when style and exceptional service came together to embody the bank’s welcoming spirit.

Beyond the welcome lies “A vault of legacy” (開啓記憶金庫) zone, inspired by the 50-tonne vault located in the HSBC Main Building. Here, a reimagined vault door opens to reveal rare artefacts - including the bank’s original share certificate from 1865, early customer account ledgers, and historic passbooks. Each artefact tells a story of trust, continuity, and HSBC’s deep-rooted commitment to safeguarding assets and relationships.

Another highlight is “The money aquarium” (鈔票水族館) zone, a 360-degree immersive scene where origami sea creatures, folded from HSBC banknotes, glide through a virtual ocean backdrop - a creative homage to the flow of currency and the cultural nicknames it has inspired, such as the “golden threadfin bream” hundred-dollar note that has become part of local lore.

The journey continues through the “Banking through the ages” (穿越時光之旅) and “1 Queen’s Road Central” (皇后大道中1號) zones. Three generations of HSBC counters are meticulously recreated, featuring remarkable details, such as bank ledgers, passbook printers, and early desktop terminals. These artefacts provide a glimpse into the evolution of banking alongside the city’s growth. The “1 Queen’s Road Central” zone presents each generation of the HSBC Main Building, reflecting a distinct chapter in its storied history. From its early days in trade finance to its role today as a provider of global financial services, HSBC has continually evolved and innovated to meet the changing needs of its clients.

The experience culminates in the “Vision of tomorrow” (滙影未來) zone, featuring a four-metre-tall lion sculpture inspired by HSBC’s iconic bronze lions, Stephen and Stitt. Here, visitors can contribute to a living digital installation, contributing to HSBC’s story.

Registered guests who share their visit on social media will receive an exclusive commemorative gift, adding a special touch to their journey through the bank’s history. From Pantone red accessories and miniature lion sculptures to mural postcards, each piece is a meaningful keepsake that carries the HSBC story into the future.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to HSBC for more information. 

Don’t miss: HSBC introduces 'HSBC Red' and hand-drawn logo to celebrate 160 years

Recently, HSBC has partnered with Pantone to introduce the signature "HSBC Red", making HSBC the first Hong Kong financial institution to have its own brand colour.  

This elegant, steady, and passionate hue carries strong emotional resonance, while reflecting Hong Kong's prosperity and auspiciousness. "HSBC Red" is deeply embedded in HSBC's identity, bearing witness to its journey from a local bank to a global financial institution.

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