The Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival Enables Residents and Tourists to Enjoy the Fun of Chinese New Year Celebrations in Lam Tsuen

During the Chinese New Year holiday, the Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival held in Lam Tsuen of Tai Po was bustling with crowds. Many citizens and tourists experienced a series of New Year celebration activities at the festival and tossed wishing placards onto the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree, praying for a prosperous and peaceful new year.

The Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival held in Lam Tsuen of Tai Po, Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

The festival site featured several photo spots where visitors could capture beautiful New Year photos. Among them, the horse sculptures in the shapes of "Golden Horse" and "Galloping Horse" allowed visitors to experience the fun of "leading in the winner" and gain good fortune for the Year of the Horse.

The horse sculpture in the shape of "Golden Horse" allowed visitors to experience the fun of "leading in the winner" and gain good fortune for the Year of the Horse. Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

The colorful New Year decorations on the site created a strong festive atmosphere, while the Lam Tsuen-themed float, which had attended the Chinese New Year Parade on the night of February 17, was also on display for visitors to take photos and relive the exciting moments of the parade.

The Lam Tsuen-themed float, which had attended the Chinese New Year Parade on the night of February 17, was also on display for visitors to take photos and relive the exciting moments of the parade. Photo by Bastille Post

Besides, a variety of New Year's goods stalls were set up on the site, offering visitors the fun of New Year's shopping. Meanwhile, the stalls selling delicacies and game booths also allowed visitors to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Well-Wishing Festival.

The huge Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree, Photo by Bastille Post

A variety of stalls were set up on the site, offering visitors the fun of the New Year's celebration. Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Aini, a Hong Kong resident from Indonesia, said she would come to Lam Tsuen every year to participate in the New Year blessing activities. She mentioned that, having worked and lived in Hong Kong for many years, she has built a deep affection for the city and loves its unique folk culture. For her, tossing wishing placards is a very interesting traditional custom. As for her new year wish this year, she hoped the people in Hong Kong could share joy and make everything go well.

Aini, Photo by Bastille Post

As for Niraj and his family from Nepal, it's their second time participating in the Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival, which, together with the previous experience, made him very happy. For him, starting the new year by tossing wishing placards onto the wishing tree is a unique Hong Kong cultural experience. The brightly colored oranges hanging on the branches not only made for a beautiful New Year's scene, but also symbolized good fortune. Looking forward to the coming year, he hoped for good health, peace, and prosperity for his family.

Niraj and his family, Photo by Bastille Post

David Byrne, a tourist from Ireland, said it was his first time experiencing the activities of the Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival. During the Chinese New Year period, he felt a strong festive atmosphere in Hong Kong by enjoying local New Year delicacies with family and friends, and participating in many unique folk celebrations, making him feel Hong Kong's strong commitment to traditional culture inheritance and the public's anticipation and enthusiasm for the New Year celebrations. Looking forward to the new year, he hoped his new baby would be born safe and healthy.

David Byrne and his family, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Ni, a local resident, came from Mong Kok to Lam Tsuen to experience the unique tradition of tossing wishing placards. She said it was her first time participating in the Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival celebrations, and the lively festive atmosphere left a deep impression on her: "The atmosphere is great with so many people around." She also mentioned that her New Year's wish written on the wishing placard was "to have good health, smooth work, and everything go well in the new year."

Ms. Ni, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Yan, another local resident, said she was very joyful to come to Lam Tsuen on the third day of the Chinese New Year to experience the lively festive atmosphere. Seeing many people writing their New Year's wishes on wishing placards and throwing them onto the wishing tree as she did, she felt a strong sense of ritual for celebrating the Chinese New Year. She sincerely hoped that everyone's wishes would be fulfilled in the Year of the Horse.

Ms. Yan, Photo by Bastille Post

Although the Chinese New Year holiday has passed, the Hong Kong Science Museum is still full of festive joy. Recently, a netizen shared on their social platform that the exhibits at the museum's permanent exhibition, "Extinction · Resilience" had been decorated for the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

Photo source: FB image

The Exhibits have been Equipped with Festive Decorations

The arctic fox statue wears a vibrant red and white lion dance headdress, with a pair of knitted tangerines resting nearby. Another statue of a goat is also adorned with oranges, adding to the festive décor. Meanwhile, the lifelike animatronic Tyrannosaurus “Paul” playfully “holds” festive hanging charms and sways its body, bringing the scene to life and capturing everyone’s attention.

The arctic fox statue wears a vibrant red and white lion dance headdress. Photo source: FB image

The lifelike animatronic Tyrannosaurus “Paul” playfully “holds” festive hanging charms and sways its body. Photo source: FB image

The Exhibits have been Personally Decorated by the Staff

Such eye-catching decorations were thoughtfully installed by the staff of the Hong Kong Science Museum. The museum explained on social media that some of its exhibits would be adorned with Chinese New Year elements to create festive photo opportunities for visitors every year. The highlight exhibit, the lifelike animatronic Tyrannosaurus "Paul", has been "holding" festive hanging charms to extend New Year greetings to the public for consecutive years, which has become a Chinese New Year celebration tradition in the museum.

The eye-catching decorations were thoughtfully installed by the staff of the Hong Kong Science Museum. Photo source: FB image

Netizens Left Comments on Social Media and Praised the Museum's Creativity

Related photos and videos have gone viral online, with netizens leaving comments and praising the museum's creativity. Some said the strong festive atmosphere has turned the museum into a must-visit attraction in Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year. Some said "Paul" looked quite energetic and joyful with the decorations, while others even came up with some "inner monologues" for "Paul", such as "Rex: Wu~~~~Kung Hei Fat Choy!", "I wish you boundless energy!!!! Roar!!!!" The series of playful Chinese New Year decorations has not only added a festive touch to the exhibition, but also showcased the museum's people-friendly approach to blending education with entertainment.