Experiencing Hong Kong's Traditional Lunar New Year - Part III

Victoria Park in Causeway Bay is Hong Kong's largest Lunar New Year Fair. (Image: Hong Kong Tourism Board)

New Year's Eve | Strolling Through the Flower Markets for Good Fortune

Visiting the Lunar New Year flower markets after the reunion dinner has been a long-standing tradition among Hong Kong locals. The origins of the Lunar New Year Fair can be traced back to the Ming Dynasty in Guangzhou. As early as the early 1860s, Hong Kong already had its own Lunar New Year Fair held a few days before the Spring Festival. It's a must-do activity for Hong Kong residents to visit the fair after the family reunion dinner. In Cantonese, "flower" sounds similar to "prosperity," symbolizing wealth and good fortune. Many people hope that by purchasing New Year flowers, they will usher in a smooth year ahead.

Apart from Hong Kong residents, many expatriates also join in the festivities and purchase New Year flowers at the Lunar New Year Fair. (Image: Hong Kong Government News Website)

In 2025, the Lunar New Year Fairs will be held from January 23 to January 29 (early morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year), lasting for 7 days. There will be 15 Lunar New Year Fairs located across Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories.

Among the largest and most bustling fairs are undoubtedly the Lunar New Year Fair held at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and the Flower Market in Mong Kok! Today, the Lunar New Year flower markets have evolved from selling just flowers to offering a variety of auspicious products and cultural creative items.

Traditional New Year flowers such as chrysanthemums and peonies remain popular. (Image: Hong Kong Government News Website)

In line with Hong Kong's cosmopolitan nature, some traditional couplets also exhibit a blend of Eastern and Western characteristics, such as "Eat well sleep well have fun day by day" and "Study hard work hard make money more and more," aiming to showcase Hong Kong's New Year wishes to friends from around the world.

Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair

Address: 1 Hing Fat Street, Causeway Bay

Phone: +852 2868 0000

Admission: Free

Website: discoverhongkong.com

Transportation: Take the MTR to Tin Hau Station, exit A2, or Causeway Bay Station, exit E.

Visiting the Wong Tai Sin Temple is a common practice for many Hong Kong residents on the first day of the lunar year.

The first day of the Lunar New Year: Wong Tai Sin Temple - Rushing to light the first incense

There is a custom in Chinese culture known as "First Joss Stick(頭炷香)" at the start of the new year, where individuals offer incense to the deities at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, expressing devoutness and seeking blessings for a safe and smooth year ahead. The Incense Offering at Wong Tai Sin Temple in Hong Kong is highly popular, with some devotees even dressing up meticulously for the occasion.

Devotees are only allowed to bring 9 sticks of incense for worship at Wong Tai Sin Temple. I tems such as gold candles, raw oil, and large incense sticks are strictly prohibited within the temple. Devotees offering incense. Main hall of Wong Tai Sin Temple.

After enjoying the reunion dinner and visiting the flower markets, many people take the MTR to Wong Tai Sin Station to offer incense at Wong Tai Sin Temple. In accordance with this folk custom, Wong Tai Sin Temple extends its opening hours, usually opening to devotees for waiting from 9 pm on the thirtieth night, enabling them to offer the "Incense Offering" at either 11 pm or midnight. Every year public transportation, including the MTR, extends its service hours on the thirtieth night.

There are many shops behind Wong Tai Sin Temple that assist devotees with interpreting fortune sticks. Numerous vendors outside the temple sell souvenirs.

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Address: 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon

Hours: 07:30-16:30

Phone: +852 2327 8141

Website: wongtaisintemple.org.hk

Transportation: Take the MTR to Wong Tai Sin Station.

Wishing tree and stones with names engraved on the Wishing Tree.

The first day of the Lunar New Year: Make a wish at Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees and enjoy authentic local cuisine

The Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree in Tai Po is another festive hotspot. Many Hong Kong residents visit the Wishing Tree in Lam Tsuen on the first day of the Lunar New Year (the first day of the holiday). The Wishing Tree in Lam Tsuen was originally two large banyan trees that villagers would light incense and make wishes at the base during the Lunar New Year, hence the tree is also known as the "Incense Tree."

A 25-foot-tall artificial Wishing Tree stands in Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree Square.

As per tradition, individuals write their wishes on paper, sincerely worship, and toss it onto the tree. If the wish remains hanging on the tree without falling, it is believed to come true. To preserve the Wishing Tree, a 25-foot-tall artificial Wishing Tree has been erected in the square, allowing visitors to continue the tradition of tossing wishes for blessings.

Writing wishes on joss paper, and if the paper can be hung on the tree without falling, it is believed that the wish will come true.

Lam Tsuen

Address: Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree Square, Tai Po, New Territories

Hours: 08:30-19:00

Phone: +852 2657 8382

Website: lamtsuen.com

Transportation: Take the East Rail Line to Tai Po Market Station, then transfer to bus 63R.

Lam Tsuen Tin Hau Temple has a long history, built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty and renovated in 1967.

Additionally, near the Wishing Tree, there is a Spring Fair selling various Lunar New Year goods. If you have time, you can also visit the Fong Ma Po Tin Hau Temple.

The Fong Ma Po public restroom near the Wishing Tree features traditional Chinese architectural design. The Fong Ma Po public restroom was chosen by citizens as the bronze award winner for the best public restroom!

If you're looking to satisfy your hunger, head to “Auntie Lam(林師奶美食工房)” located near the square. They offer Hakka-style braised pork, braised pork with preserved mustard greens, and don't forget to try their homemade peanuts, which are crunchy and flavourful. Paired with the tender pork, it adds another layer of taste.

Near the Wishing Tree, there is a restaurant called Auntie Lam. You can taste made-to-order stuffed tea cakes. Furthermore, you should try the made-to-order stuffed tea cakes. This long-standing restaurant has been operating for 10 years and serves both savory and sweet varieties, including turnip and black eye beans flavors. The tea cakes have a thick outer layer but are filled with generous fillings. The sweet tea cakes feature coconut and peanuts and are not overly sweet, suitable for those looking for healthier options.

Auntie Lam

Address: G/F, 4C Fong Ma Po, Lam Tsuen, New Territories

Hours: 08:00-18:00

Phone: +852 2638 3410

Website: Lam's Housewife Delicacies @fb

On the second and third day of the Lunar New Year: Visit the Che Kung Temple to draw a fortune stick and pray for blessings.

"Bowing to Che Kung, spinning the windmill, seeking divine lots" is another Lunar New Year tradition in Hong Kong. It is believed that Che Kung was a general in the Southern Song Dynasty who was later appointed as a marshal. People built temples to worship him due to his loyalty and bravery.

Every Lunar New Year, a large number of devotees visit the Sha Tin Che Kung Temple, praying for peace and good fortune in the upcoming year.

The reverence for Che Kung among Hong Kong residents stems from historical events such as the severe plague that ravaged the New Territories, particularly in "Lek Yuen." Villagers borrowed a statue of the deity to parade around various villages, and wherever it went, the epidemic ceased. This led to the gradual adoption of the practice of venerating Che Kung. During each Lunar New Year, Sha Tin Che Kung Temple sees a multitude of devotees bowing to Che Kung and turning the windmill, seeking peace and good luck for the new year.

Legend has it that Che Kung was a general during the Southern Song Dynasty and was later deified as a marshal due to his loyalty and bravery.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, which is Che Kung's birthday, the Chairmen of the Rural Committees in the New Territories traditionally visit the Che Kung Temple to pray for blessings and draw divine lots for Hong Kong. It is believed that Che Kung guides them, and the results of the lots are often highlighted in local news. Many Hong Kong residents believe in the accuracy of these Che Kung divine lots, leading to a significant number of visitors seeking guidance and divination at the temple on that day.

Che Kung Hall. Windmills symbolizing luck and transformation can be purchased as souvenirs.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, the Che Kung Temple experiences even greater fervour. Traditionally, the third day of the first lunar month is considered an inauspicious day, known as "Chikou." On this day, conflicts are more likely to occur, making it unsuitable for New Year visits. Many people choose to visit the Che Kung Temple on this day instead. After paying respects to Che Kung, devotees will spin the windmill, symbolizing the turning of fortunes, and pray for good luck and smooth sailing in the coming year.

Remember to spin the windmill and strike the drum three times when visiting the Che Kung Temple. Unlike other temples, Che Kung Temple uses a fire bowl for lighting incense.

Che Kung Temple

Address: Che Kung Temple Road, Sha Tin, New Territories

Hours: 08:00-18:00

Phone: +852 2603 4049

Website: ctc.org.hk

Transportation: Take the East Rail Line to Che Kung Temple Station, Exit B, and walk approximately 10 minutes.

Many fortune-telling stalls can be found outside the Che Kung Temple. Opening hours during the first to fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year and Che Kung's birthday are from 07:00 to 18:00.