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One thing we love about Hong Kong? You don't have to go far to get back to nature—in fact, you can find beautiful parks and green oases right in the heart of the city
Victoria Peak Garden
Formerly the site of a summer residence for the Governor of Hong Kong, this sprawling space at the top of The Peak is now a beautifully manicured Victorian style garden with soft green grass, trees, elegant pagodas and spectacular views. If you're feeling up to it, you can make the steep hike up Mount Austin Road from the Peak Tram terminal to get there. Alternatively, you can drive or take a cab.
Hong Kong Park
Sitting pretty between Central and Admiralty, Hong Kong Park is a green oasis nestled between some of Hong Kong's most iconic skyscrapers. As well as shady paths and beds of colourful flowers, there's also a man-made lake and waterfall, a six-level outdoor kids' play area, a Museum of Teaware with an adjoining tea house that serves vegetarian dim sum, a conservatory and a spectacular aviary (see below).
Edward Youde Aviary
The stunning Edward Youde aviary houses a tropical forest and hundreds of birds right in the heart of Hong Kong Park. A treewalk-style path snakes through the aviary, which is encased in beautifully designed netting that blends the outside cityscape and the jungle within. A must for those who enjoy bird watching in Hong Kong.
Tamar Park
One of the newer parks in Hong Kong, Tamar Park boasts grassy green patches, areas with wooden decking and views that are pretty hard to beat. Just a stone's throw from Pacific Place, stock up on goodies from Great, or grab a pizza from Emmer, and stroll on over to the park for a picnic. Look out for special events and programmes like Moonlit Movies, which turns a section of the park into an open air cinema during cooler months.
Victoria Park
Hong Kong's answer to New York's Central Park, Victoria Park is a green respite in the heart of busy Causeway Bay. There's a tree-lined jogging path, tennis and basketball courts, reflexology paths, lush gardens, lawn bowling greens, a kids' playground and even a boating lake, where serious remote control boat enthusiasts (there are more than you think) take their latest models out for a ride.
Cyberport Waterfront Park
There's plenty to love about Cyberport Waterfront Park; the expansive lawns and shady trees, jogging and cycling trails that line the waterfront—it's also one of the most popular parks among dog owners in Hong Kong, and weekends here are like a puppy parade.
Kowloon Walled City Park
It's hard to believe that the infamous Kowloon Walled City—a lawless, decrepit development nicknamed the "City of Darkness"—once stood here. Today, it's a peaceful 1.2 hectare park modelled after the Jiangnan Gardens of the Qing Dynasty. Get your daily steps in with its eight nature paths, where you'll find yourself surrounded by pine trees, lotus flowers, magnolias and more.
West Kowloon Art Park
Just a few minutes stroll from Elements Mall and ICC, the West Kowloon Waterfront Art Park offers panoramic views of that postcard Hong Kong view. Marvel at it with a picnic on the grass, a leisurely stroll, or from a rented SmartBike. It's also home to the M+ Pavilion, a museum for visual culture, and Freespace, a centre for contemporary performing arts.
See also: Hong Kong Meditation Classes For A Mindful Start To 2020
Coco Marett is a writer and editor who grew up between Hong Kong and Melbourne. She currently heads the travel section for Tatler Asia, and manages the Tatler Travel account on Instagram. She is known for her features on unique, under-the-radar properties and destinations. She's also known for her in-depth interviews that paint a refreshingly candid portrait of influential figures across various industries —from artists to political figures, CEOs to celebrity chefs. Follow her on Instagram @cocomarett
