Tour the bird stalls of this elegant garden in the district of Mong Kok for a taste of the neighbourhood’s charm. Once, the streets of Mong Kok were filled with street merchants showing off their musical companions. After bird stalls disappeared from the streets, the city built the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden to preserve the charming tradition. Spend a few restful hours amongst birdsong in the middle of Kowloon.
Gates, sitting areas and courtyards built in a traditional Chinese style fill the grounds. Sit on the tree-lined side of the park, or browse the bird stalls lining the opposite side. The garden is split into sections by “pai lou” (gateways), each of which is dedicated to a different spirit or element.
Get a close look at the bird stalls, which feature brightly coloured regional birds in gorgeous antique cages. Around 70 bird stalls line one side of the garden. This is a surprisingly large amount of stalls considering the garden’s small size. The bird-owners are friendly and eager to talk about their feathered friends, so you should feel free to chat with them and ask them questions. Often, you can see them walking their pet birds through the garden’s courtyards. Around the bird stalls, mosaics and murals of birds have been painted on the bird stalls, making the whole area a colourful sight.
If you’d like to see more animal life after you’ve finished exploring the Bird Garden, take in the hundreds of fish species swimming around in aquariums at the neighbouring fish market. A flower market lies nearby as well, where you can shop at over 100 stalls for some bright blossoms to adorn your hotel room.
Reach the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden by metro or bus. It is open daily until the late afternoon and can be accessed free of charge.
