Hongkongers flock to see ‘magnificent’ cherry blossoms, as pink winter wonderland at airport opens for the season – Technologist

Dozens of visitors strolled along pink footpaths, soaking up the sights among birds and butterflies at the garden, which is home to 85 newly planted cherry blossom trees and believed to be the city’s largest dedicated site of its kind available to the public.

Logistics worker Sunny Man, 50, was visiting the garden with his wife, a cherry blossom enthusiast, for the second year in a row.

“We also came here last year but there were almost no flowers. It is much more magnificent this year, maybe because we went at the end of the flower season last year,” he said.

“It is looking quite good as about 30 to 40 per cent of the flowers have blossomed.”

He said they had previously seen cherry blossoms in Japan and South Korea, where displays were much larger.

“Nevertheless, Hong Kong only began to plant cherry blossoms in recent years after seeing people’s interest in the flowers,” he said.

“But other cherry blossoms in Hong Kong are quite scattered. I think this garden has the most cherry blossom trees in the city.”

The garden, located at Chek Lap Kok near Tung Chung, was first opened last year by the Airport Authority as part of efforts to improve scenery in the area, before it closed while the flowers were out of season.

This year, the authority planted 85 cherry blossom trees in collaboration with a company based in mainland China’s Guangzhou, using a type more suited to Hong Kong’s climate.

The authority said the new trees had firmer flower buds and more reddish petals, which were expected to be in full bloom next week.

The layout of the site was also remodelled to include new elements such as small mounds, spots for visitors to take photos, footpaths, fresh garden designs, resting areas, fences and information boards.

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A 33-year-old woman, who only gave her first name, Savika, visited with her husband and their two young children, aged one and five.

“I am very happy to have the chance to admire flowers with my family,” she said. “I think it is more beautiful than last year. There were less flowers and it was more crowded last year.”

She said she wished more flowers could be planted in the city.

“Especially in parks where my kids could play and I could take a look at the flowers. It would boost my mood,” she added.

Cindy*, a 60-year-old amateur photographer, arrived at the garden at 9am and was capturing birds feeding on the flowers with her long-focus lens.

“It is good enough to have such a place in Hong Kong. Of course, it would be amazing to have a larger one to attract tourists,” she said.

“But if they are not naturally grown and need to be planted artificially, it seems not worthwhile to spend such a large sum of money to maintain it.”

She suggested more trees could be planted in a larger area instead of replacing the current ones with new kinds in future.

*Name changed at interviewee’s request