China News Agency, Hong Kong, January 23, title: "Tigers" and "Rabbits" come to the streets of Hong Kong to enjoy the new year
China News Agency reporter Liu Dawei
Yinhu bids farewell to the old year, Maotu heralds the coming of spring.
Because it is the first Spring Festival after the relaxation of social distancing measures, the streets and alleys of Hong Kong during the Chinese New Year period this year have a strong festive atmosphere, which is also a bit more lively than previous years.
In order to welcome the new year, major business districts and scenic spots in Hong Kong have "transformed" into red and golden oceans: In the shopping malls of Causeway Bay, exhibitions with the theme of traditional paper-cut art and folk stories were arranged to send New Year blessings to the citizens; In the park, the lighting decoration of flowers and butterflies turns the park into a "fantastic sea of flowers", attracting citizens to come to check in; on the central building of the Star Ferry Terminal in Central, a cute giant lucky rabbit "lying" on the roof, wishing the citizens a new year; On Lee Tung Street in Wanchai, 688 red lanterns were hung above the 200-meter boulevard, and the street lampposts were also decorated with colorful rabbit lights to celebrate the Chinese New Year with the citizens.
The lively atmosphere is also reflected in the Lunar New Year activities.
The second day of the first month of the lunar calendar is "Che Gong's Birthday".
At the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin, New Territories, many citizens came to line up before the opening at 8 o'clock, and the line once reached the nearby pedestrian tunnel.
Among the crowd, some citizens brought joss sticks to the temple to offer incense, some held windmills to pray for better luck in the new year, and some well-dressed children came with their parents.
After Che Kung Temple was opened to the public, the flow of people was once restricted.
Citizen Miss Zhang brought her three-year-old child to pray for blessings.
She told reporters that this year is the first time for children to go out to pay New Year's greetings. Before that, they were afraid to take children to crowded places because of the epidemic.
Now that the epidemic is gradually easing, the Chinese New Year atmosphere after the relaxation of social distancing measures has begun to become as lively as before the epidemic.
I pray that the epidemic will pass as soon as possible in the new year, and that everyone can return to normal life as soon as possible.
After the "customs clearance" with the mainland was opened on January 8, many mainland tourists also chose to come to Hong Kong to celebrate the New Year.
Many theme parks in Hong Kong took the opportunity to hold colorful activities or launch preferential measures to attract tourists.
During the Spring Festival, Hong Kong Ocean Park launched two activities, "Reunion Celebration 2023" and "Rabbit Leaping in Hong Kong to Welcome the New Year", presenting colorful programs, boutique markets and delicious food to tourists.
At the entrance of the park, Chinese New Year songs are played from time to time, and the staff warmly congratulate every visitor on a happy new year.
Tourist Mr. Liu and his new wife made a special trip to Hong Kong this year to celebrate the New Year.
Mr. Liu said that they plan to stay in Hong Kong for three or four days, during which they plan to visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum, the racetrack and other attractions, and also plan to taste authentic Hong Kong-style food.
"I haven't been to Hong Kong for many years, and this is the first time for my wife. Hong Kong has changed a lot in the past few years, and I want to take this opportunity to experience it." Mr. Liu said, with the orderly "customs clearance" with the mainland, It is more convenient to travel to and from Hong Kong, and Hong Kong will definitely attract more mainland tourists in the new year.
The haze of the epidemic is gradually disappearing. During the Spring Festival this year, the "popularity" of various scenic spots and business districts in Hong Kong has returned, and the "firework" of the market has reappeared.
I believe that Hong Kong in the Lunar Year of the Rabbit will, as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li Jiachao, said in his New Year greetings, "Enter a new beginning, a new hope, economic activities will become more vigorous, and tourist attractions will become lively again." (End)