Hong Kong’s largest dedicated cherry blossom garden opened over the weekend, and has more than 80 cherry trees this year. The garden, which is near the foot of Scenic Hill along Chek Lap Kok South Road, has been remodelled since it first opened last year and now includes trees that are better suited to the city’s climate. This new spot will give Hongkongers the chance to see cherry blossoms in the city if they do not have the chance to travel to Japan, which just released its latest sakura forecast for 2024.
The cherry trees were planted by the Hong Kong International Airport, in collaboration with a company based in Guangzhou, and are said to have firmer flower buds and more red-hued petals. The new-look garden has additions such as small mounds, photo spots, garden designs, fences, information boards, and resting areas. This year, the trees are expected to be in full bloom next week.
There are several buses that visitors can take from Tung Chung or downtown Hong Kong to get to the cherry blossom garden. Nature and photography enthusiasts can also take the Tung Chung Line of the MTR, get off at the Tung Chung MTR Station, and then take a bus to the garden or walk along Chek Lap Kok South Road to get there.
There are many places in Hong Kong to see cherry blossoms, which usually bloom from February to May, depending on the weather and climate. However, warmer temperatures in the winter and early spring mean that the trees could be in full bloom earlier than normal. According to the Hong Kong Observatory, December 2023 was warmer than usual, while the mean temperature for this month, as of January 28, has been 17.9 degrees Celsius — higher than the normal of 16.5 degrees — despite the recent cold snap that saw reports of ice and frost at Tai Mo Shan.
Image credits: Hong Kong International Airport
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