Hong Kong crowds flock to Tai Po wishing tree for Lunar New Year blessings

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Leopold ChenFebruary 17, 2026 at 08:01 AM

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Residents and tourists from Hong Kong flocked to Tai Po's wishing tree on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Despite intermittent showers and temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius, visitors showed enthusiasm for hanging their wishes on the tree. The tradition involves writing one's wishes on a card attached to an orange-shaped plastic ball and throwing it onto a banyan tree. Believed to grant wishes if successfully hung on a branch, the ritual is observed every Lunar New Year. Locals, including 62-year-old civil servant Wilson Chan, visited the site despite his age, wishing for good health. The event took place in Tai Po, where the tradition has been practiced for years.