Pass the CNY break the local HK way:
Kung hei fat choi! In Hong Kong over the CNY break and thinking of what to do? We've got your CNY break sorted out so you don't have to sit at your home getting bored at the start the Year of the "Dai" (Pig). Here's a list of all the some great places to visit locally, like the locals :-). Make sure to check them out...
FLOWER MARKET
Sweet smell fill your nostrils….Rows and rows of bright, colourful flowers delight your senses. Are you in the Garden of Eden? Well, actually you don’t have to go that far to have that experience.
A perfect customary CNY outing for all to enjoy, start feeling real festive in the midst of the evident New Year atmosphere is to explore the CNY Flower market. The are many CNY flower markets all around the city. Go explore and deck your house or gift your friends cherry blossoms, orange trees, orchids and daffodils.
Where: Depending on which is closer the most popular CNY flower markets can be visited either in the HK island: the Causeway Bay’s Victoria Park or in Kowloon: Fa Hui Park in Prince Edward.
Price? No entry fee. Though you will surely like to take some flowers/pots home…
TEMPLES
Treat yourself to some traditional Hong Kong celebration and visit one of the many temples during the CNY break. Join in the celebration with local Hong Kong-ers in their prayers for health and prosperity in the upcoming year. The HK locals usually visit to pay respect to ancestors or pray for some good fortune in the year to follow, bringing along some offerings of food and incense with them. Don’t restrain yourself if you want to do the same.
Where: Here is the list of our favorites - Man Mo temple, Sheung Wan; Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, 2, Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon; Tin Hau Temple, 10 Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay
Price: Free
LAM TSUEN WISHING TREE
Another traditional and fun thing to do during the CNY is to pay visit to the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree. Adults and kids, just write your wish on a paper, tie it to a string with an orange and toss it over the tree, it should successfully catch on one of the branches and remain hanging for your wish. If it does, your wish will come true so goes the local belief!!!
Where: Lam Tsuen Wishing Square, Lam Tsuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
Price: Free
GAMBLE AWAY, THE LOCAL WAY
It’s also a local tradition to gamble to welcome the New Year. In case you’ve not been to the horse races, here is your chance to do so.
On the third day of the CNY (30th of Jan 2017) Hong Kong holds the CNY New Year Race Day at the Sha Tin Racecourse. The day promises heaps of festive programmes including lion dances, CNY greetings from well-known jockeys and of course, a tipple or two!
Where: Sha Tin Racecourse, New Territories, Hong Kong
Price: General admission is just $10! Foreign visitors showing their valid travel document can enjoy free admission.