1. Audience with a dragon
What better way to start the Year of the Dragon year than seeing one up close?
Well, sort of. Water monitor lizards are known as “five-clawed golden dragons” and this month one of them is the star attraction at Kadoorie Farm Botanical Garden (KFBG), in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district.
While at KFBG, visitors can also get a glimpse of the Chinese New Year Flower tree (enkianthus quinqueflorus) – a protected species in Hong Kong – which was given its English name thanks to its blooming period coinciding with the Lunar New Year.
Its bell-shaped flowers hang at the tips of branches, while the tree symbolises academic success and lots of offspring.
In the past, people cut the branches to use as festive decoration, but overharvesting prompted the government to enact regulations in the early 20th century that prohibited the picking or cutting of the species to ensure its preservation.
2. Wishing tree festival
A visit to the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree in Tai Po is one of Hong Kong’s oldest new year traditions.
Just write your wish on joss paper or a placard, tie it to a mandarin, and throw it onto the wishing tree’s branches. The higher it hangs, the higher the chance of your wish coming true.
Lotus lanterns and other decorative lanterns and illustrations will brighten up the square, while a night market at Lam Tsuen will run until February 13.
3. High-altitude good luck
In Chinese culture, the dragon symbolises prosperity and good luck, making the Year of the Dragon extra special.
In Hong Kong, the Sky100 Observation Deck at the ICC, the city’s tallest building, is helping people boost their luck by inviting a feng shui fortune teller to lead guided tours of the 100th floor and share some lucky tips.
Master Qi Xian Yu will give her advice on finding success in work, excelling in education and even getting lucky in love.
4. Lee Tung Avenue
This 200-metre (656-foot) tree-lined pedestrian walkway in Wan Chai is known for its colourful festival celebrations, and this year is no exception.
Goldfish-shaped lanterns will be among a sea of those hanging above the walkway, while an eight-metre-long golden dragon installation at the Central Piazza will be a highlight.
The Dragon & Lion Dance Spectacular will return on February 20 – don’t miss the traditional golden dragon, which measures over 25 metres, accompanied by five colourful lions.
A Chinese New Year Parade held with the Hong Kong Tourism Board will take place on February 12, featuring two international performing groups: the “Golden Dream” from Spain, and the “Universe of Lights”, an eight-member stilt-walking team from Germany.
5. Lantern feast for Lunar New Year
It wouldn’t be Lunar New Year without loads of lanterns and one of the best places to see them light up is at the city’s lantern carnivals, held at various venues citywide.
The Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui is one of the best places to enjoy them, with a highlight being a dragon made by paper-crafting master Chan Yiu-wah. The lanterns will light up daily from 6pm-11pm until February 25.
Carnivals – think music and dance – will be held from February 20-25 at the piazza, as well as at the Hong Kong Velodrome Park, Tin Shui Wai Park, and Ginza Square.
