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Leopold Chen

Local residents and tourists flocked to the wishing tree in Tai Po on the first day of the Lunar New Year to pray for good health, happiness and prosperity for Hong Kong.
Despite intermittent showers and temperatures of around 18 degrees Celsius (64 Fahrenheit) marking the first day of the Lunar New Year, the conditions did little to dampen visitors’ enthusiasm for hanging their wishing placards on the tree.
In Hong Kong, it is traditional to write one’s wishes on a card attached to an orange-shaped plastic ball and throw it onto a banyan tree in the village.
It is believed that wishes will be granted if the card is successfully hung on a branch of the tree.
“Even if it rains, I would still come,” said Wilson Chan, a 62-year-old civil servant who visits the site every Lunar New Year.
“As I get older, I wish for my good health.”
Anthony Chan, a 29-year-old finance worker, tried four or five times before successfully throwing his wishing placard onto the tree.
“I wish for everyone good health and for every trade in Hong Kong to begin to flourish, as well as a lower unemployment rate,” he said.
Chan, who lives on Hong Kong Island, said he had been making his Lunar New Year wishes at the site for around a decade.
“The rural area has stronger festive vibes, so I come here to experience it,” he said.
Another resident, retiree Lisa Li, who is in her sixties, travelled from Fanling to wish for good health and a better environment for the city.
Tourists and foreign domestic helpers were also among the crowd making wishes.

Charlotte Friend, a 30-year-old teacher from England, travelled to Tai Po from her hotel in Wan Chai.
“I teach English in my country. Sometimes I get [students] from Hong Kong, and they talk about [the tree], so I wanted to see it,” she said.
“It is very interesting because it is very different from what we have back home. We don’t have any celebrations like this.”
Friend said her wish was happiness for everyone.
Filipino domestic helper Christy Biscarra Bote, who is spending her first Lunar New Year in Hong Kong, said she travelled from Happy Valley to make a wish.
“[I wish that] my employer will be good to me all the time, and that all my friends and family can be in good health,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival – a carnival with a pop-up market and booth games – will be running in the area from Tuesday until March 3.
At the festival’s opening ceremony, Clement Woo Kin-man, acting secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, extended his wishes for the country’s prosperity and the flourishing of all trades in Hong Kong.
Woo has been serving in the role since Erick Tsang Kwok-wai resigned in January, citing health reasons.
When asked for an update on the search for a minister – who will play a key role in Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s initiative to formulate the city’s first five-year plan – Woo did not provide any new information.
“I am acting as the [secretary], and we will coordinate on the formulation of the plan,” he said, adding that different bureaus and departments would launch consultations on the plan after China’s “two sessions” concluded in March.
Last week, the government appointed Maggie Wong Siu-chu as the permanent secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs. She previously held an equivalent post with the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau.


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Local residents and tourists flocked to the wishing tree in Tai Po on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Photo: Jonathan Wong

It is believed that wishes will be granted if the card is successfully hung on a branch of the tree. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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 Devotees are in good spirits, including one man in a Year of the Horse headpiece. Photo: Sam Tsang

Crowds filled Hong Kong’s airport on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Photo:  Elson Li

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Hong Kong

Society

Locals and tourists alike brave the wet weather to mark the start of the Lunar New Year in time-honoured tradition


Locals and tourists alike brave the wet weather to mark the start of the Lunar New Year in time-honoured tradition.


Lunar New Year

Hong Kong culture

Hong Kong crowds flock to Tai Po wishing tree for Lunar New Year blessings

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Locals and tourists alike brave the wet weather to mark the start of the Lunar New Year in time-honoured tradition

Locals and tourists alike brave the wet weather to mark the start of the Lunar New Year in time-honoured tradition