Tree Hugging
Winnie Yeung picks the big trees you should visit before it’s too late.
Last month, the “Tree of Hong Kong” – a 200-year-old, 23-meter Chinese Banyan tree in Kowloon Park – fell over and officials believe it cannot be saved. It’s a sad reminder that our big trees will not be here forever. Check out some of our biggest and best trees while you still can.
Kam Tin Tree House
Let’s start with a legendary one. This banyan tree in Yuen Long is simply amazing – over a century old, this tree has oddly shaped branches and roots because it grew around an old stone house.
Where: Shui Mei Village Playground, Kam Tin
Getting there: Take green minibus 601 from Fung Cheung Road Minibus Terminus, Yuen Long (a five-minute walk from Yuen Long KCR station). Get off at the terminus by the Tin Hau Temple.
The Hollow Tree
Another amazing sight in Northern Hong Kong. This famous autumn maple tree is best known as the Hollow Tree thanks to the gigantic hole in its middle. The government says this 18-meter-tall tree is 100 years old but other tree-huggers are saying it has to be at least 250 years old – and it’s still growing.
Where: Lai Chi Wo
Getting there: Lai Chi Wo is an ecological haven, but that comes at the cost of convenience. The closest public transport is minibus 56K from Tai Po Market KCR station. Get off at Luk Keng and walk along the trail for at least 90 minutes to Lai Chi Wo. Or catch a speedboat from Sai Kung Pier, which can take you to Lai Chi Wo in 30 minutes. The suggested price is $400 per ride (eight people maximum per ride).
Indian Rubbers
But you don’t necessarily need to travel far and wide for old, odd-looking trees. These Indian rubber trees on Lugard Road and in Causeway Bay are well worth a look.
Where: 28 Lugard Rd., The Peak, and Leighton Road Post Office Recreation Club, Causeway Bay.
Getting there: Take the Peak Tram or minibus number 1 from City Hall terminus to The Peak. Walk down Harlech Road, then take the first right to enter Lugard Road. The tree in Causeway Bay is right behind a bus stop opposite the Lippo Leighton Centre (103 Leighton Road). Buses 10, 23B, and 8X stop there.