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Hong Kong Shop Crafts Paper Porsches and GT-Rs for Traditional Funerals
A historic Hong Kong paper-craft shop builds life-sized paper replicas of cars, from Porsches to Nissan GT-Rs, designed to be burned at funerals so the deceased can enjoy them in the afterlife.
By Edward Beaumont · 3 min read
A Hong Kong shop has been turning the traditional Chinese funeral practice of burning paper offerings into a niche art form, crafting life-sized paper replicas of cars ranging from a Porsche Boxster to a Nissan GT-R Nismo. The models, built by Dachanglong Paper Number, a family-run business in the city since the 1950s, are designed to be set alight during the funeral ritual, with the belief that fire and smoke carry the object into the spirit realm for the deceased to use.
The shop’s Instagram profile showcases a surprisingly broad range of vehicles, including an Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce sedan, a Land Rover Defender SUV, and a classic Toyota AE86 Trueno with operational headlights and fog lights. For those who preferred modern performance, there is the Nissan R35 GT-R Nismo with a fixed rear spoiler and quad tailpipes. Electric vehicle owners are also catered for, with replicas of a Tesla Model S, a Zeekr X, a Smart #1, and a BMW iX. German classics feature too, such as a shiny gold Mercedes E-Class W210 and a white VW Beetle 1300.
The paper automobiles are constructed with a frame of bamboo strips, transparent film for windows, paper wheels, and detailed interiors complete with seats and paper driver mannequins dressed in a shirt and tie. While the proportions and styling details may not be perfectly faithful, the shop’s craftsmanship is tailored for a purpose far removed from showroom display: the models are built to burn efficiently, ensuring they reach the afterlife quickly.
This practice is rooted in the traditional custom of Zhizha, which holds that burning paper replicas of everyday items — houses, clothing, stacks of money — transfers them to the spirit world. Dachanglong Paper Number has adapted this centuries-old tradition to modern tastes, offering car enthusiasts a final tribute that goes beyond a birthday cake shaped like their dream car. The shop keeps its pricing private, as everything is made to order, but the paper models are significantly cheaper than the functional vehicles they mimic.
For car lovers in Hong Kong and beyond, the service offers a unique way to honour a passion in death. Whether it is a classic AE86 or a modern Tesla, the shop ensures that the deceased can take their favourite ride with them, at least in spirit.
