Best places to see seasonal foliage in Hong Kong

Photo: Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Running along Tolo Harbour, this 22-hectare waterfront park is Hong Kong’s largest, fittingly boasting a diverse range of cherry blossoms compared to other spots. While strolling along its bowling greens, kite flying area, and amphitheatre, you will discover pink-hued blossoms spread across the fields. Look out for the Yoshino cherry, also known as the Japanese flowering cherry, which emits a soft almond-like scent. This also includes the Fuji cherry with its light pink blossoms and wafer-thin petals, as well as some of the Taiwanese varieties bearing peach-coloured flowers.

How to get there:

1. From Tai Po Market Station, come out of Exit A1 and hop onto bus K17.

Photo: Lisanto 李奕良 (via Unsplash)

Who knew a peaceful temple on the small, sleepy Cheung Chau island would house about 10 Taiwanese cherry trees that attract a crowd of tourists? The historic setting of Kwan Kung Pavilion, featuring ancient Chinese architecture, crimson columns, and a green-tiled roof, is already beautiful enough. Add bright pink blossoms to the picture, and a spectacular canvas of traditional Chinese painting instantly comes to life. Inside the temple, there is also a 2.5-metre-tall statue of Kwan Kung, the God of War in Chinese mythology, carved from a single camphor tree. This spectacular artefact would surely make a pretty shot with the pink petals.

How to get there:

1. From Central Pier 5, take a ferry to Cheung Chau.
2. Head to Kwun Yam Wan Road; it’s only a 10-minute walk or so.

Photo: Leisure and Cultural Services Department

Boasting a professional wooden cycling track, the Hong Kong Velodrome Park is another ideal spot for Sakura appreciation. Dozens of Taiwanese and Japanese cherry trees live in this urban cycling haven. Most of these are of the Taiwanese variety, which bears peach-coloured blossoms. Located next to the central lawn and the velodrome, you’ll be able to snap snazzy photos of these pretty flowers, while the city lights from residential buildings behind shine in the background. After admiring the sights, you can also take a leisurely bike ride to feel the spring breeze.

How to get there:

1. From Hang Hau Station, take Exit B and walk down Sheung Ning Road.

Photo: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden

Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden is one of the city’s most iconic countryside escapes, an oasis of lush forests, vegetable terraces, and themed gardens. The incentive to visit becomes even stronger in springtime, when the largest cluster of Taiwan cherry blossom trees in Hong Kong blooms on this idyllic farm, transforming slopes of Tai Mo Shan Country Park into hues of pink. These bell-shaped pink flowers, interspersed among the pine trees of the park, make for an extremely pleasant sight. One of the best spots to view them is near the Kadoorie Brothers Memorial Pavilion, set on a ridge amidst tall pines, where you would find splendid Sakura blossoms and also gorgeous apricot blossom trees.

How to get there:

1. From either Tai Po Market, Tai Wo, or Kam Sheung Road stations, change to bus 64K.
2. Alight at Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden.

Photo: Brett Sayles (via Pexels)

Taking its name from Hong Kong’s tallest mountain, Tai Mo Shan is a popular hiking destination for those who yearn to conquer the peaks. Luckily, for cherry blossom watching, you only need to reach the serene Rotary Park, a picturesque spot near the mount’s foot. 40 cherry blossom trees of the Taiwanese variety flourish near the country park’s entrance, and the park is also home to various indigenous flora. Moreover, part of the family trail is lined with bamboo trees on both sides, our answer to Arashiyama’s bamboo forest in Kyoto.

How to get there:

1. From Tsuen Wan Station, get to the Railway Station Bus Terminus from Exit A.
2. Bus 51 will take you to the Country Park stop.
3. From there, Rotary Park is roughly a 10-minute walk, located near the Country Park Visitor Centre.

Photo: The Chinese University of Hong Kong 香港中文大學 – CUHK (via Facebook)

In 2012, 20 Japanese cherry trees were planted at New Asia College outside Chih Hsing Hall, one of the student hostels, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the university’s Department of Japanese Studies. Fast forward to today, these beauties still blossom year-round in light pink flowers to provide the campus with hints of Japanese flair—no wonder they are extremely popular with students! You’ll also find a few Taiwanese cherry trees with flowers in darker shades of pink at United College and Shaw College, two other colleges out of nine that make up the collegiate university.

How to get there:

1. From University Station, come out of Exit A.

Photo: @hongkongairport (via Instagram)

Situated along Chek Lap Kok South Road near the Hong Kong International Airport, a wonderful paradise of cherry blossom emerges from the foot of Scenic Hill. Built as part of a landscape enhancement project for the airport, it has now become a hot destination for tourists and locals to admire the seasonal beauty. Wander through an enchanting field of over 80 Guangzhou cherry blossom trees in full bloom, spurting out firm flower petals in vibrant pink hues. We recommend arriving early to avoid long queues and to battle for photo spots, as the park would be a hit among families and romantic lovebirds.

How to get there:

1. From Tung Chung Station, come out of Exit B.
2. Head towards the Tung Chung Cable Car Terminal.
3. Walk past the terminal, continue along Chek Lap Kok South Road and cross the bridge.

Photo: Jason Luk (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tai Tong Organic Park is one of Hong Kong’s most popular places to view autumn foliage, all thanks to its dense and closely packed valley of sweet gum trees. The elevation formed by both high and low-growing trees is a spectacle from any viewing angle, making it the perfect spot for close-range viewing and photo opportunities. This has attracted many photography enthusiasts to visit the remote area, all in the hope of taking breathtaking photos. If you are planning a countryside day trip there, consider packing food for a barbecue at designated pits within the park. One of the best vantage points is where the Tai Lam Nature Trail intersects with Tai Tong Shan Road.

How to get there:

1. From Long Ping Station, take bus K66 to Tai Tong Shan Road.
2. Alternatively, hop onto a red minibus at Hung Min Court in Yuen Long and alight at Tai Tong Shan Road.

Photo: Tim Samuel (via Pexels)

There’s no need to trek out to the New Territories if that’s not your thing—you can still view red leaves right in the heart of Central! The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is home to an avenue of sturdy Sweet Gum trees that are half a century old. As the leaves yellow and start turning a vivid shade of rust, they’ll also drift down and eventually cover the path with a beautiful red carpet. Needless to say, views in this location aren’t going to be nearly as stunning or expansive as out in the mountains, but that’s the price we have to pay for convenience.

How to get there:

1. From Central Station, come out of Exit A and head to the Exchange Square Bus Terminus.
2. Bus 12 will take you to the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

Photo: Pc1878 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Located on the peaceful island of Tsing Yi, this residential park is quite an unconventional location for autumn leaves watching. Red leaves here are not shaped like maple or sweet gum, since they are mostly of the sabino variety. What sets this location apart from others, though, is its swathe of autumnal trees situated by an ornamental lake with waterfalls. The park also presents a European design instead of the traditional Chinese ones mostly found in the city. Beautiful shades of red and gold are reflected and amplified by the body of water, resulting in views that resemble Central Park in New York City more than an urban bit of garden in residential Hong Kong.

How to get there:

1. Take the Tung Chung line to Tsing Yi Station.
2. Take Exit C and walk towards Tsing King Road.
3. From there, you will clearly see Tsing Yi Park sprawling ahead of you.
4. All you have to do is find a safe opportunity to cross Tsing King Road.

Photo: 中大傳動 CUHK eMotion (via Facebook)

The top university lands another spot on the list, this time for its crimson leaves surrounding Lake Ad Excellentiam. Autumn red leaves are as good a reason as any to visit the secluded campus, and this tranquil lake has both sweet gum and sabino trees planted around it. While strolling along the paths that run alongside the lake, you’ll get to see the orange and red shades lining both sides of the water, while listening to the sounds of rustling leaves and singing birds. This lovely spot offers short moments of respite for visitors, as well as busy professors and students.

How to get there:

1. From University Station, come out of Exit A.
2. Turn left and walk along Pond Crescent or go right to Station Road.
3. Either road will lead you in a loop to the lake.

Photo: Underwaterbuffalo (via Wikimedia Commons)

Nestled in the northeast side of New Territories, Wu Kau Tang is a remote area enclosed by the Plover Cove Country Park, and home to a few scattered rustic villages. While the place is no tourist attraction, hundreds of visitors flood the place during autumn just to witness its hidden red leaf forest. 10 giant crimson sweet gum trees erect from a plateau of green trees, forming an eye-catching spectacle that’s hard to miss. After taking your Instagram-worthy pictures, feel free to also hike along the trails of the neighbouring country park.

How to get there:

1. From Tai Po Market Station Public Transport Interchange, take minibus 20R to Wu Kau Tang minibus station.
2. From there, turn back and walk on the right side of the road.
3. Take a flight of stairs to the left and reach Kau Tam Tso Village.
4. Turn right while passing by rivers to arrive at the forest of autumnal leaves.

Photo: Wpcpey (via Wikimedia Commons)

Nicknamed the “sky mirror of Hong Kong,” Lau Shui Heung Reservoir gained immense popularity as an autumn foliage getaway for its rows of paperback trees, cypress, and sweet gum woods along its shores. Imagine colours of orange, yellow, and red seen on deep reflective waters, blending with the azure blue sky to create a diorama of water, nature, and sky. The rich biodiversity here adds another point to its idyllic setting, where you would get to see dragonflies that share the autumnal leaves’ colours glide across the waters. This serene hot spot is not only ideal for hikes but also lovely picnics.

How to get there:

1. From Fan Ling Station, come out of Exit C.
2. At the Fan Ling Station PLB Terminus, take minibus 52B to Pat Sin Leng Country Park.
3. From there, follow signs for Lau Shui Heung Reservoir and take a 650-metre walk along Lau Shui Heung Road.
4. Turn right and arrive at the north shore and dam of the reservoir.