Visit to Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens
The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (香港動植物公園溫室) is one of the oldest zoological and botanical centres in the world, and the oldest park in Hong Kong.
Founded in 1864, its first stage was opened to the public in 1871. It occupies an area of 5.6 hectares (14 acres), in Central, on the northern slope of Victoria Peak.
Similar to Hong Kong Park, Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens provides a natural environment and atmosphere. While physically smaller than Hong Kong Park it contains more plants, animals and facilities.
The park was previously named Bing Tau Fa Yuen (兵頭花園). “Bing Tau” literally means “the head of the soldiers” or the “Commander-in-Chief”.
According to Hong Kong’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department, it was nicknamed as such by the city’s Cantonese community, as it was the former site of the city’s Government House. Others said Bing Tau was just the phonetic transliteration of the first two syllables of the word botanical.
In the old days, many lovers liked to go there on a date.
There are more than 1,000 species of plants in the gardens, mostly indigenous to tropical and sub-tropical regions. It includes some rare species like the dawn redwood and the local Ailanthus.
Besides these, some species which can produce flowers throughout the year can also be found there, like the Hong Kong orchid tree.
Different Species are grown in the Thematic gardens in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
The main entrance is located at Upper Albert Road. A number of bus routes give access to the facility. Admission is free to all parts of the Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
Video Source: Zoological & Botanical Garden Hongkong || Kebun Binatang Dan Tanaman Di Hongkong from Bakka D Lexa on Youtube ⁄ CC BY