Lam Tsuen Wishing Square (including Wishing Tree) and Chinese Zodiac Square

Lam Tsuen is renowned for the several gigantic banyan trees in the woods which have been regarded as gods and adored by villagers and boat people, who burn joss sticks and incense papers around its stretch of roots and pray for blessing. In the advent of the Chinese New Year, villagers pray for year-long peace by tying incense papers and sacrificial offerings to oranges which are then thrown up on the banyan branches. To accommodate the increasing number of visitors, the Wishing Square were built, together with the Chinese Zodiac Square, the Wishing Boulder, the Wishing Pool and the Wishing Locks. Because of the large amount of sacrificial offerings hanging on the branches over the years, the Wishing Tree has been damaged. A 4.5 m high plastic banyan tree has been set up for the offerings. The Chinese Zodiac Square displays 12 sculptures of the Chinese zodiac with a big Chinese cauldron in the middle for the offering of incenses. The Wishing Pool has a 0.4 m wide glass water course where people can make their wishes through sailing the lotus-shape lanterns.