My Visit to The Tranquil Kowloon Park in Hong Kong

Recollecting travel memories is a stress-buster for me. And one such day was today when I was turning through the pages of my online travel album. Up came the photos of my visit to Hong Kong and among them the pictures of the beautiful and vivid Kowloon park. Its tranquility and charm soon flashed across my mind; an immediate thought to pen down the memories in my blog and share it with my readers.

The Snippet

Kowloon park is indeed one of the largest parks in Hong Kong. Located in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, a landmark place bustling with various kinds of shops and vibrant nightlife. The flora and fauna at the park are a big attraction, drawing both locals and tourists in huge numbers. Different species of flowering plants and other plants with colorful foliage spread an aura of tranquility and a soothing feeling for the people visiting the park. You can spend hours strolling around and even relaxing at some of the benches placed inside the park, a perfect way to unwind yourself and be stress-free. The entire area of the park is well-curated and adorned with separate sections for flowers, trees, birds, and many more. The walking trail is neatly paved for the visitors to stroll along comfortably and without any hassles, amid the peacefulness prevailing around.

Major attractions at the Kowloon park

Kowloon park gifts a plethora of attractions for visitors. Fountains, plants, bushes, trees, birds, and gardens are the key ones followed by beautiful sculptures, activity centers, a library, a swimming pool, a children's playing area, and a museum. Let us venture out on a short virtual tour of the park.

The Gardens

The Maze Garden, Colour Garden, Chinese Garden, Roof Gardens, Banyan Court, and Sculpture Walk and Garden are the prominent areas in Kowloon park where you can observe innumerable plants, and trees of various kinds. It is truly a treat to the eyes. The greenery around keeps your mind at peace. Roses of different colors and sizes mesmerize the visitors. The fragrance of the flowers fills the air and creates an amazing atmosphere, much to the awe of the visitors.

As you walk along the park, the huge Banyan trees greet you with their grand charisma. You will feel the majestic lust as you look high above watching the highest point of the trees kissing the clear blue sky. At the roof garden, you can sit and relax, transporting your mind into a world of celestial peace while looking at the people and the beauty of nature.

There are about 35 different species of trees in the park, some local and some exotic. Definitely, a place to enhance your know-how if you love Botany. It is an incredible experience to walk in between the lush greenery that adorns the park. And the best part is the trees, plants, shrubs, and bushes attract many local, rare, and migratory birds.

The Birds

If you are a bird watcher, love bird photography, or even like to enchant your ears with the chirping, Kowloon park is an ideal place for you. Many varieties and species of birds visit the park, attracted by the bright foliage.

The main attraction is the bright Flamingos. They stay in groups at Bird Lake, keeping the visitors glued to the area. The flock is the best part of the entire park, standing in different poses and you must not miss clicking pictures of them. The other interesting birds at the lake are the exotic waterfowl,

The aviary inside the park is the residence for almost more than 90 birds, spread across seven enclosures. Birds like Rhinoceros Hornbill, Red-tailed Cockatoo, and Yellow Macaw entice the visitors, waiting to spot them.

The local birds can be observed in huge numbers, the common ones seen throughout the year being: Black Kite, Alexandrine Parakeet, Spotted Dove, Asian Koel, Greater Coucal, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Masked Laughingthrush, Chinese Bulbul, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Black-collared Starling, Cinereous Tit, White-rumped Munia, Japanese White-eye, Common Tailorbird, Oriental Magpie Robin and Eurasian Tree Sparrow.

At the Conservation Corner, the old trees are home to many migratory birds, ground-haunting birds, wintering thrushes, and even skulking birds. Some of the prominent birds that can be noticed here are Blue-and-white, Narcissus and Ferruginous Flycatcher, Japanese and Amur Paradise Flycatchers, Slaty-legged Crake, and male Siberian Blue Robins. And not to miss the wintering thrushes Japanese Thrush, Grey-backed Thrush, Chinese Blackbird, etc., and Rufous-tailed Robin.

White-shouldered Starling, Yellow-browed Warblers, and Pallas's Leaf Warblers are winter birds but are often found to reside in the park till spring; much to the delight of the bird lovers. As you stroll along the Chinese garden, you may hear the loud squawking sound of the parakeets. These birds have been residing in the park since long back from 1993 and are known as the Alexandrine Parakeets, easily can be spotted with large red bills and maroon shoulder patches. The smaller variety of parakeets called Rose-ringed Parakeets has also been brought into the park.

Other attractions

Kowloon park provides ample opportunities for visitors to entertain themselves and enjoy the day. Other than the trees, flowers, plants, and birds, there are a few attractions at the park with modern facilities and places to hang around.

1. Fountains: The rainfalls and fountains inside the park splash at the streams below and create an elated feeling
2. Swimming pool: An outdoor pool where you can swim and relax
3. Sculptures: Beautiful and artistic art installations and sculptures can be found in many places in the park, enhancing the elegance and charm
4. The Discovery Park: Hosts a few defense equipment used in the earlier days like the cannons and turrets. Children can visit the area, look around the equipment and even jump around them
5. Sports Centre: A perfect palace for children and sports lovers where one can engage in many activities. There are swimming pools, a trampoline room, and a stand for the spectators.
6. Museum: If you love history, then you must visit the museum where several artifacts showcasing the evolution of Hong Kong and archaeological items

Interesting events at Kowloon Park

Many activities and events are held at the park during the official holidays, Sundays, and the Chinese New Year. Though the weather in Hong Kong is almost pleasant throughout the year, if you want to be part of the events then it is better to plan at those times of the year. Besides enjoying the flora and fauna, you can immerse yourself in interesting activities and create memories.

1. Lion dance performances and free Kung Fu demonstrations. Happens every Sunday between 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM
2. Stalls selling works of calligraphy, classic and traditional Chinese artwork and handicrafts, gifts, and souvenirs between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM on official holidays and Sundays
3. Bird-watching activity every day between 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

How to reach?

If you love walking then first you can reach the Star Ferry and then walk up to Nathan road. It will take almost 15 minutes.

The next option is to avail of the railways called MTR in Hong Kong. You can take Exit A from the Tsim Sha Tsui MTR to reach the park entrance. If you are at MTR Jordan Station, then you must take Exit C and then walk for a few minutes. The next option is to reach MTR Austin Station and then again walk down to the park.

The visit to Kowloon park was indeed bliss, a quiet place to spend time in peace and solitude. Do not miss visiting the place when you are in Hong Kong.