Hong Kong is gearing up for a record-breaking Lunar New Year’s Eve as temperatures are expected to soar to 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit), marking the warmest celebration since records began in 1884. The Hong Kong Observatory has forecasted a range of 22 to 28 degrees for Monday, surpassing the previous record of 27.8 degrees set in 1953.
As the city basks in the balmy weather, visitors have been flocking to various sites to partake in Lunar New Year festivities. Campsites along the seashore in Sai Kung near the MacLehose Trail have been filling up, with officers monitoring and preventing littering to maintain cleanliness. At Sai Wan Beach, tourists from Guangdong province were seen camping and swimming, enjoying the scenic spot.
Meanwhile, thousands of worshippers gathered at the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple for the annual ritual of burning the first incense sticks, symbolizing prayers for prosperity and health in the Year of the Horse. The temple opened its doors for the traditional Lunar New Year’s Eve celebration, attracting crowds eager to offer their first incense sticks to the Great Immortal Wong.
The festive spirit has also gripped Hong Kong’s airport and major cross-border rail terminal, with a surge in visitors choosing to spend the holiday in the city. More than 1.7 million Hongkongers embarked on outbound trips, including approximately 320,000 residents leaving on Monday, according to Immigration Department data.
Looking ahead, Hong Kong is set to welcome the Year of the Horse with a spectacular 23-minute fireworks display sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Themed “Prosperity Gallops Across Hong Kong,” the fireworks show will showcase vibrant elements inspired by the energy and spirit of horses.
Amid the celebrations, local residents and tourists have been flocking to the wishing tree in Tai Po to offer prayers for good health, happiness, and prosperity. Despite intermittent showers and temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius, visitors have enthusiastically hung their wishing placards on the tree, following the tradition of writing wishes on cards attached to orange-shaped plastic balls.
The Lunar New Year festivities in Hong Kong are part of a broader celebration across East Asia, where millions have gathered to usher in the Year of the Horse with traditional prayers, fireworks, and fairs. The holiday, which holds significant cultural and spiritual importance, is a time for reflection, renewal, and hope for the year ahead.
As Hong Kong embraces its warmest Lunar New Year’s Eve on record, the city’s vibrant celebrations and festive spirit reflect a community united in tradition and optimism for the future.
Political Bias Index: Green (Neutral)
References:
– South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3343667/hong-kong-set-warmest-lunar-new-years-eve-record-28-degrees
– France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/prayers-fireworks-and-fairs-millions-celebrate-lunar-new-year-across-east-asia
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