From lit-up wishing trees to ‘Chubby Hearts’ and cosplayers, Hong Kong’s districts aim to put on big show for Lunar New Year

Tai Po’s Lam Tsuen is hosting a ‘Wishing Night Market’ where visitors can for the first time throw cards seeking good fortune into the branches of wishing trees

Other special events are being held across Islands district, Fanling, Tung Chung, Sham Shui Po, Wong Tai Sin, Sha Tin and elsewhere

3-MIN READ3-MIN

Children perform in Chinese costumes during the opening ceremony of the government’s “Day X Night Vibes@18 Districts” campaign. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 12:00pm, 10 Feb 2024Updated: 5:47pm, 10 Feb 2024

Wishing trees that light up at night, ice cream from City University’s dairy farm and local agricultural products are just some of the highlights of a new bazaar in Hong Kong’s Tai Po to celebrate Lunar New Year.

The bazaar is part of the government’s citywide campaign called “Day X Night Vibes@18 Districts”, designed to celebrate the distinctness of the city’s neighbourhoods, inject vibrancy and lift people’s spirits.

“We hope each district will have some local flavour and offer different experiences to visitors,” Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said earlier this week.

One of the more special bazaars is being held at Lam Tsuen, known for its two artificial banyan trees that draw people from all over the city seeking to make Lunar New Year wishes. But this year a “Wishing Night Market” will allow visitors to throw special cards into the branches of the trees in a bid to ensure good fortune for the first time.

Chief Executive John Lee (centre) takes pictures with children under the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree. Photo: Elson Li

When city leader John Lee Ka-chiu visited the market earlier this week, he threw a card bearing wishes for a bright future for residents onto the tree.