The Cherry Blossom Garden on the fringes of Hong Kong International Airport has opened to the public, with blooms expected to continue through the end of March.
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Expanded to 30,000 square feet this year, the garden now features 160 cherry blossom trees, following the planting of 39 additional trees along the waterfront.
Steven Yiu Siu-chung, executive director of airport operations at the Airport Authority, said on Thursday that around 20 to 30 percent of the blossoms are currently in bloom.
“They will gradually come into full bloom over the next two weeks, with the best viewing period expected next week,” he said.
Yiu explained that the newly planted trees, imported from northern Guangdong, tend to bloom earlier, while the previous two batches — which have adapted to Hong Kong’s climate — are expected to begin flowering from mid to late March.
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To enhance visitors’ experience, authorities have constructed a new dedicated pathway linking the garden directly to Tung Chung MTR Station. The route shortens the walking distance by about 200 meters and eliminates the need for visitors to cross a road.
Over the past two years, the garden has attracted more than 200,000 visitors annually. Yiu said he expects at least 100,000 people to visit this season.
He added that the Airport Authority has worked with the police in previous years to manage crowd flow and that this year’s crowd control measures would be further strengthened to ensure a pleasant visit.
Yiu also revealed plans for the garden’s continued expansion.
“We aim to add 30 to 40 trees each year, just like saving money, with a goal of seeing hundreds of trees blooming at the airport in a decade,” he said.
The garden features an undulating coastal route, offering photo opportunities with cable cars in the background, along with multiple designated photo spots along the way.
Visitors welcomed the expansion of the garden.
Tai, who visits the site every year, said the area now feels more comfortable, although only a small number of blossoms are in bloom so far. She plans to return when more flowers open.
“Foreign cherry blossom gardens are very beautiful, but I am still proud of Hong Kong’s own. Besides, taking photos here at dusk is amazing,” she said, adding that access to the garden is convenient and the new route is smooth.
Another visitor, Fung, who enjoys exploring cherry blossom sites around the city such as Shek Mun and Heng On, said this year’s blooms at the airport are more beautiful and denser than last year’s.
“The varieties here are different compared to Shek Mun…I will definitely be back for another visit,” he said.
