Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees

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One of the two Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees.

The Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees (林村許願樹) is one of the popular shrines in Hong Kong. They are located near the Tin Hau Temple in Lam Tsuen, which was built around the era of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).

The two banyan trees are frequented by tourists and the 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, their wishes will come true.

Plaque describing the incident and conservation plan.

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 the joss papers to be hung while a period of conservation is imposed to help these trees recover and flourish.