Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park is a public urban park in the heart of central Hong Kong. The park covers an area of roughly 80,000 square meters, and was built in 1991 at a cost of HK$398 million. It is a carefully designed and curated park that blends both greenery, gardens, and open spaces with modern design elements for an outdoor oasis that blends seamlessly with the ultra urban city around it. As one of the largest and most populated cities in the world, locals and tourists take advantage of this lush green space in the heart of the city to relax, enjoy some fresh air, stroll around the grounds, or take in the local wildlife. 

Facilities

There are three major indoor facilities in the park: the conservatory, the sports centre, and the squash centre. The Forsgate Conservatory is a climate controlled greenhouse space split into three sections - the Display Plant House, the Dry Plant House and the Humid Plant House. In each, a variety of rotating plants such as orchids, cacti, or rubber trees can be found in their respective climates.The Kong Kong Park Sports Centre can be used or configured to host a variety of sporting events such as two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, two netball courts or eight badminton courts. It also holds a multi-purpose activity room, three table-tennis tables, a fitness room and an indoor jogging track.

The Hong Kong squash centre is the largest squash facility in the city. This space hosts the annual Hong Kong Squash Open, as well as several other international squash events in their glass-walled squash court that includes spectator stands. In addition to this court, there are 17 other courts in the building.

Aside from the indoor facilities, Hong Kong Park has a number of outdoor facilities as well. These include the Edward Youde aviary which houses some 550 birds from 70 different species, most of which are indigenous to Malesia. There is also a clock tower, children’s playground, the central garden which features a water fountain promenade, the olympic square which is a staged area that seats 880, the conservation corner which provides a space for some 100 species of dragonflies, the Vantage Point lookout tower, and the Tai Chi Garden. 

Other centres in the area also include  the Flagstaff House Museum of Teaware, and the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre. 

Activities

When visiting the park, it is possible to wander the grounds at your own leisure, or take a guided tour. Guided tours are provided for groups, or specifically curated for schools and children groups, depending on the age of participants. Due to the abundance of birds in the region, bird watching events are also common, and take place throughout the year with guides and bird experts. There is also a green volunteer scheme in the park which educates and encourages visitors to participate in voluntary services and greening activities. In addition, themed exhibits have been hosted in the conservatory, such as the African Violet Exhibition which ran from December 2020 to January 2021. 

Flora

Though an urban and relatively modern park, the space is still home to a number of old and valuable trees and tree species. Ancient ficus trees are especially loved and cared for in the park, as are Bombax ceiba cotton tree flowers. One of the most common flowering shrubs in the park is Lagerstroemia indica, or crape myrtle, which can be seen all around Hong Kong Park. Its papery, wrinkled flowers are usually bright pinks or muted purple, and provide beautiful colours to any garden.

Fauna

The Hong Kong Park has a large number of animals in it, most of which are birds. Not only are there many species housed in the aviary, but a large number of native birds live here too. Many of these birds are very bright and colourful, like the various leafbirds, of which Hong Kong Park houses the blue winged, great green, orange bellied, and golden fronted varieties. Catbirds, hornbills and Fawn-breasted Bowerbirds are also common here as well as various pigeons, doves and pheasants. Thrushes, bluebirds, bulbul and various Lory and mynah species also provide bright pops of colour, as do parakeets and lorikeets. Aside from the birds, the most common mammal in the park is the Pallas’ Squirrel, which is very common in the green spaces of the park. 

Hong Kong Park offers a beautiful and thoughtful escape from the busy city centre. Whether it is for sports, leisure, or wildlife observation, the park focuses on green space, green living, and the quiet appreciation of nature. Perfect for tourists and locals alike, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this stunning urban park.