August 17, 2023
"In every walk with nature, one receives more than he seeks."
- John Muir
Not a long time ago, I discovered another hidden gem in my new place that I newly explored. In fact, it is part of the Lai Chi Kok Park where I usually stay on weekends. The fact is, I haven't explored all corners of Lai Chi Kok Park yet, so I didn't know that the garden just lies within it. One day, my boss and I were walking down the street when I saw the name Lingnan Garden, and I asked her where it was. Later that day, she walked me to the garden, and I was surprised upon knowing that it was actually the same park we visited on the night of the Mid Autumn Festival in September five years ago, particularly a few days since I landed here in Hong Kong. So basically, it was the very first tourist attraction I visited here. Who would have thought that it was just so near to me? And this has become my new place to spend time during the weekend when I have no plans to travel.
It isn't just an ordinary park, but rather a nature trail to have walking therapy, unwind, enjoy, and be fit. You'll find out why as you read along. On one fine Sunday, when the sun was so high, I walked through this winding path with lush vegetation on both sides that complemented the blue sky well. Those colorful garlands made me feel like, I was in a place with a fiesta celebration because we usually see this decoration during festivals in our country.
One of my favorite things about Hong Kong is the initiative to make nature trails in urban parks. Despite being in the middle of the city, people would feel like they were in the countryside while walking in this kind of park. Moreover, this initiative could also lessen air pollution in urban areas while attracting more tourists. The fact that Hong Kong is a dense and advancing region, the air population is uncontrollable, so adding more trees in urban parks is truly helpful.
The Lingnan Garden is part of Lai Chi Kok Park as mentioned above. There are different entrances to this park but I took the one nearest to my place. On the way to the Lingnan Garden is this Butterfly Garden with huge butterfly sculptures surrounded by different flowers. There's no doubt that the spring season is the best time to visit this garden when the flowers are in full bloom.
There are resting spots and benches provided for visitors to unwind and enjoy the scenic view in this park while breathing fresher air.
Sometimes we don't need to go to the countryside or the mountains just to have a walk in nature, anywhere with trees and plants is part of nature. This park provides shade, not just to visitors, but also to birds and other tiny creatures in this area. Different types of trees, flowers, and medicinal plants can also be found here.
It is easy to spot the entrance of the Lingnan Garden in Lai Chi Kok Park as it is surrounded by gray brick walls and noticeable traditional Chinese architecture with pretty tiled roofs and eaves.
Although Lingnan Garden was only opened to the public in 2000, the architecture would make you feel like you were in a different Chinese dynasty in the old era. No wonder it is visited by many photographers taking Chinese-themed photoshoots and tourists.
This garden is spacious at 12,500 square meters, and a huge area of it is covered with water features. From the name itself, this garden has Lingnan architecture which originated in the Lingnan region in China, and the elements were absorbed from the Tang and Song empires.
Based on its layout plan, this garden has ten spots consisting of eight pavilions, some fitness stations, a jogging path, and even an amphitheater. This doesn't count some spots on other parts of Lai Chi Kok Park outside this garden.
This is just one of a few Lingnan Gardens across China, and lucky am I to be closer to it, which I can visit at any time. I honestly felt like I was walking in a Chinese palace garden while wandering around here. It's a huge place with different scenic spots. Bridges and winding corridors connect one side to another and give access to different pavilions situated around the pond.
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Some of the attractions include animal-shaped stone sculptures, pottery, rockery, and Chinese ornaments. Can you spot the swan and crocodile stone carvings? The giant turtle with a snake over it is, of course, evident in the photo. The pigeon seemed to want to outshine them as it stood confidently on top of them.
I never thought the rock formations on the pond were animal shapes until I looked intently at this photo. But I liked the water lilies more that are blooming inside those fenced stone sculptures. They are pretty in pink.
Different pavilions offer sheds under the sun, where visitors can rest and gather with their friends or families. Those Indonesians were preparing for their photoshoots in their traditional dresses. I noticed that they dominate this garden in numbers.
Meanwhile, tree canopies provide shade for birds, and the pond is where turtles and different types of fish live and reproduce, creating a bigger family. Koi fish, of course, exist in this pond, as they serve as lucky fish for the Chinese.
Take off your shoes and have walk therapy
One of the scenic spots that people are visiting, especially nature lovers, is this covered winding walkway laid with pebbles. If you have read my Shadow contest entry, then this looks familiar to you. Without the shadows though. I chose the other side of the walkway as there were more shades from the sun.
This place is cleaned and sanitized regularly, so it's definitely safe to take off your shoes. Even so, I wouldn't mind walking barefoot here and getting dirty. However, I opted to retain my cloth shoes as it was quite painful to go barefoot, especially on my first time. I could hear people saying "Hou tong" or "So hurting," because it really is.
Every time I visit this place, I spend more or less half an hour walking around the walkway, or simply sitting on the bench while my feet rest on the pebbled path. There are concrete benches inside the covered walkway, so visitors could take a break from walking. 
In China, they call this "tap shek," and doing so has a lot of health benefits like improving blood circulation and relieving tension. Many parks here in Hong Kong, and for sure in China too, have pebbled and cobbled pathways to help people improve their fitness. I also noticed that the elderly are usually those who like walking on such walkways. That's probably one of the secrets to Chinese people's longer lives.
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The vibrant colors of nature around me are body and soul-restoring. The sounds of nature are soothing to the ears. You wouldn't think you are in the middle of the city when in this place, and I wouldn't mind spending more time here, as I often do, because that's how I feel relaxed and release the tension inside me. Walking in nature is just a simple way, but mind me, it's beneficial for our well-being. Yet, many just take it for granted.
Who could resist staying longer here? Even bonsai of different kinds around the garden are simply attractive and add charm to the place.
I saw several sweet gum trees, and I can imagine how pretty the place is in autumn. I can't wait to see it! I don't need to go to the mountains to capture the color of fall. It's just a few minutes away from my place.
The Amphitheater on the eastern side often has shows and events. That day, local musicians were playing their instruments. They are from a certain group or organization.
The fitness stations and jogging track are my next targets with proper attire and shoes.
Despite wearing a pair of jeans and inappropriate clothes, I let my body perspire while trying the fitness equipment at different fitness stations initially made for the elderly. Who said they were just for the elderly? They are for me as well, lol.
Everyone is free to use the fitness equipment, so this park is definitely a one-stop place for the weekend. You can walk in nature, unwind, gather with your friends, enjoy, and be fit. My female Chinese boss once heard me say I wanted to go to the gym. She just responded, "No need to go to the gym. Exercise at the park. It's just free." That made sense when I saw these fitness stations. And from now on, this will be my gym station while connecting with nature.
(All photos are mine)
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