Photo adjustments
Full frame retained; proportionally resized and converted to WebP. No retouching or changes to the photographed subject. Card displays may crop the view.
Explore the region
About Lam Tsuen wishing trees
The custom of attaching written wishes to oranges became associated with the banyan trees, especially around Lunar New Year. Conservation changes now distinguish the protected living trees from designated modern wishing installations.
Look at the old trees and temple first, then follow the current instructions if taking part in the wishing custom. The artificial installation allows the tradition to continue without loading the old branches. This is a community religious and festive space, so the atmosphere and available activities differ greatly between ordinary days and festival periods.
What to look for
- The old banyan trees form the living focus of the village shrine setting.
- Designated wishing installations show how the custom has adapted to tree conservation.
- The nearby Tin Hau Temple adds a separate religious landmark.
Background & history
The Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees (Chinese: 林村許願樹; Jyutping: lam4 cyun1 heoi2 jyun6 syu6) are a popular shrine in Hong Kong located near the Tin Hau Temple in Fong Ma Po Village, Lam Tsuen. The temple was built around 1768 or 1771, during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor in the Qing dynasty (1644–1912). The two banyan trees are frequented by tourists and locals during the Lunar New Year. Previously, they burnt joss sticks, wrote their wishes on joss paper tied to an orange, then threw them up to hang in these trees. It was believed that if the paper successfully hung onto one of the tree branches, these wishes would come true. This practice was discouraged by the authorities after 12 February 2005, when one of the branches gave way and injured two people. Instead, wooden racks are set up in place for joss papers to be hung while a period of conservation is imposed to help these trees recover and flourish.
Excerpt from Wikipedia: Lam Tsuen wishing trees · Wikipedia contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected introductory sentences; formatting simplified. Background information, not current visitor-service advice.
Location & getting there
Getting to Lam Tsuen wishing trees
Head to Fong Ma Po village in Lam Tsuen, Tai Po. A local road transfer from the Tai Wo station area provides an approach to the village; finish at the public wishing-tree and temple area.
Combine your visit
Suggested order for the visit:
-
Protected banyan trees
Observe the original living trees.
-
Designated wishing installation
Follow current instructions if participating.
-
Tin Hau Temple
Complete the village shrine circuit.
This is an editorial sequence of named spaces or places. It does not imply a verified walking connection or promise opening, ticket availability or a journey time.
Find Lam Tsuen wishing trees
林村许愿树 · 大埔区
The pin marks the area, not the entrance.
More places nearby
Approximate straight-line distances between map pins, not travel distances.
Hong Kong Railway Museum 香港铁路博物馆
2 km awayThe Hong Kong Railway Museum occupies the old Tai Po Market station. Its pitched roof, decorated ridges and small ornamental figures give the station a distinctly southern Chinese architectural character. Preserved locomotives…
View guide →Tai Po Waterfront Park 大埔海滨公园
5 km awayTai Po Waterfront Park brings gardens and recreation spaces to the shore of Tolo Harbour. The Spiral Lookout Tower offers an elevated view over the water and surrounding district, while the Insect House turns attention to much…
View guide →Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail 龙跃头文物径
5 km awayThe Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail links ancestral halls, temples and walled-village structures in the Fanling countryside. Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall has a three-hall arrangement with carved timber, painted decoration and…
View guide →Sources & visit information
The sources below support the place-specific description and arrival information. Suggested combinations are editorial planning ideas; confirm current opening, entry arrangements and transport services for your date.
Visitor information adapted and edited from Wikipedia contributors, “Lam Tsuen wishing trees” · CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision 1368991704.