Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

The Garden Fountain at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Before we moved to Robinson Road, my daily commute took me through the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.  The entire park occupies almost 14 acres on the north side of Victoria Peak above Central Hong Kong.  While we love our new apartment and neighborhood, I miss being able to start my day by strolling past the large aviary with its wide variety of birds, through the well-manicured flower beds and around the large garden fountain before heading down the steep hill into the bustling Central district.  

Opened in 1864, the gardens are among the oldest botanic and zoological gardens in the world, and all parts of it are open for free to the public.   It has over 1,000 species of plants and trees in a variety of gardens, beds and a large green house.  Animals were added to the gardens in 1876 and now include about 300 birds, 70 mammals and 20 reptiles.  The zoological exhibits occupy about one-half of the garden's land.

During our apartment search, a property broker told us that people in Hong Kong treasure their parks.  People are willing to live in relatively small apartments to preserve their access to open space.  Every day (weather permitting), one can see people taking advantage of the open space in the gardens for a morning run or walk, to practice T'ai chi or to simply sit and read the morning paper.

An orangutan statue nestled into a garden bed