How to Make a Wish at the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees

Quick answer

At Lam Tsuen today you do not throw wishes at the real banyans (they are protected). Hang a placard on the wooden racks, or use the replica wishing tree in the square. Follow on-site signs — rules exist to protect the living trees.

Key facts

  • Real trees: Fenced / protected — no throwing
  • Racks: Hang placards (寶牒) on wooden racks
  • Replica: ~25 ft replica in Wishing Square
  • Getting there: Tai Po Market + bus 64K
  • Hours: See Lam Tsuen opening hours
  • Verify: On-site / district notices

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At the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees today, nobody throws wishes at the real banyans. The two original trees in Fong Ma Po are fenced and protected. You can hang your wish placard (寶牒) on the wooden racks beside them, or throw it at the roughly 25-foot replica wishing tree in the neighbouring Lam Tsuen Wishing Square. This was re-checked on 2026-10-08 against the Hong Kong government’s district page, the 2026 festival listings and news reports. The busiest time is the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival, which normally runs from the 1st to the 15th day of Chinese New Year. Follow signs and staff on the day. Placards are sold on site when available.

What the village stop feels like (replica-only throwing): Lam Tsuen — what to expect.

The current rule at Lam Tsuen: racks for the real trees, throwing only at the replica

  • Real banyans: look, pay respects, hang, but never throw. Years of heavy placards damaged the trees, and a large branch fell in 2005. Since then the original trees have been fenced and propped, and wishes go on the wooden racks nearby to protect them.
  • Want to throw? Use the replica. The villagers set up a roughly 25-foot replica banyan in the Lam Tsuen Wishing Square to keep the throwing custom alive. At the 2026 festival, placard-throwing took place there.
  • Light weights only. Use the placards and plastic oranges sold at the Square. Never tie on stones, real fruit or anything heavy.
  • Ordinary days: arrangements can be quieter or different outside the festival. If staff or signs say no throwing, hang your placard on a rack instead.

How to make a wish at Lam Tsuen, step by step

  1. Start at the temple (optional). Many villagers first pay respects at the Fong Ma Po Tin Hau temple next to the trees.
  2. Get a placard from the official stall in the Wishing Square. Some sets come with traditional paper charms attached.
  3. Write your wish. The custom is to add your name and date of birth, then a short wish such as health, family, study or work. There’s no fixed wording, and English is fine.
  4. Choose: hang or throw. Tie it on a wooden rack, or take it to the replica tree to throw.
  5. Throw safely. Hold the tie end in your front hand and support the tail with your back hand, then toss upward with a flick of the wrist, aiming for a gap between branches. Check that nobody is standing right underneath.
  6. If it lodges, folk belief says the wish is received, and the higher the better. If it falls, many people simply try again, or hang it on a rack. Treat this as a cheerful tradition and a hopeful wish.

Lunar New Year at Lam Tsuen: the Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival

  • When: usually Lunar New Year’s Day to the 15th day (Lantern Festival). In 2026 it ran from 17 February to 3 March. If 2027 follows the same pattern, that would be around 6–20 February 2027. Confirm the organiser’s dates each year.
  • Hours (2026 pattern): about 9am–7pm on most festival days, extended to about 9pm on the 2nd–6th days for the night market and the lit-up wishing tree. Times change yearly.
  • What’s on: placard-throwing at the replica tree, lotus-shaped wishing lanterns floated in the wishing pool, a New Year market, food stalls, games and stage shows.
  • Entry: listed as free in 2026. Placards, lanterns and snacks are paid on site when available.
  • Getting there: extra festival buses often run. In 2026, KMB added route 63R from Tai Wo. See how to get to the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees.
  • Crowds: the first days are the busiest. Go early, or on a weekday later in the festival.

Other ways to wish at Lam Tsuen

  • Wishing lanterns: write a card, set it on a lotus lantern and let it float in the wishing pool. This is a calmer option when the throwing area is packed.
  • Zodiac corner: find your Chinese zodiac animal next to the Square and make a wish there.
  • Tin Hau temple: offer a quiet prayer and follow the temple’s own incense arrangements.

Etiquette at the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees

  • Stay outside the fences around the real banyans and give the roots space.
  • Don’t climb racks or pull down other people’s placards.
  • Help children throw from a safe spot, and watch for falling placards.
  • Take your rubbish home and keep off planted areas.
  • Ask before photographing worshippers at the temple.

Plan more

Hong Kong temple gifts

Hong Kong Temple Gifts accessories are Hong Kong–packaged and temple. They make a meaningful keepsake of your temple visit. Browse the Gift Shop or Top Sellers.

Also useful: best time to visit · dress code · temples for Thai visitors · explore temples

FAQ — making a wish at the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees

Can you still throw wishes at the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees?

Not at the real banyans, which are fenced and protected. You can throw your placard at the replica wishing tree in the Lam Tsuen Wishing Square, or hang it on the wooden racks beside the original trees.

How do you make a wish at the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees?

Buy a placard at the Wishing Square, write your name, date of birth and wish, then hang it on a rack or throw it at the replica tree. Folk belief says a placard that lodges means your wish is received.

What do you write on a Lam Tsuen wishing placard?

Customarily your name and date of birth, plus a short wish such as health, family harmony, study or work. There is no fixed wording, and English is fine.

What happens if my Lam Tsuen placard falls down?

Many people simply try again, or hang the placard on a wooden rack instead. It is a folk custom, so treat it as tradition rather than a verdict.

When is the Lam Tsuen Well-wishing Festival?

Usually from Lunar New Year’s Day to the 15th day. In 2026 it ran 17 February to 3 March. If 2027 follows the pattern, expect around 6–20 February 2027, but confirm the organiser’s dates.

Is the Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees free?

Walking around the village and Square is free, and festival entry was listed as free in 2026. Placards, lanterns and snacks are paid on site.

Can children throw placards at the Lam Tsuen replica tree?

Yes, with an adult’s help. Throw from a safe spot, check that nobody is underneath, and use only the light placards and plastic oranges sold on site.

Which Hong Kong Temple Gifts pieces make a meaningful keepsake of Lam Tsuen Wishing Trees?

Our Hong Kong–packaged temple gifts — taken to temples for chanting — fortune wheels, red cords and wind-spinner motifs — echo the wishes visitors hang at Lam Tsuen, so they make a meaningful keepsake of your visit. Browse the Gift Shop or Top Sellers.