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Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

The HK Botanic Gardens, as they are commonly known, is Hong Kong's oldest park and is located on the peak.  Built in colonial British times you can imagine it being established by some Victorian Gentlemen biologist collecting rare plants.  Today it is a nice park to walk around if you have an interest in plants or animals.  It basically is a small zoo with cages showing Tamarin, orangutan and lemurs.  They also have turtles, python and alligators.

In just under six acres there are a total of about 600 live birds and 100 mammal and reptile species, but it is the preservation of tropical plants like palms and banana trees for which the garden is more well known.

Established in 1871 it was originally just the "Botanic Gardens" but gradually grew and it wasn't until as recently as 1975 when it was just over a hundred years old that the name was updated to "Zoological and..." to reflect the animal collection.  It was built on the location of the original governor of Hong Kong's residence.  As the "new" Government House is still just over the road from the Botanic Gardens it means that you might want to visit both at the same time.

Located, like most of the mid-levels, on a steep slope up towards the peak it offers a range of different environments making an interesting, if tiring, place to walk about.  In the lower area you'll find fountains and pools and open spaces, though concrete, with flower beds and trees.  Some bird cages are also here with a large flock of caged flamingos.

In the upper section are more animal houses and the children's playground.

While the gates of the park are open from 6am to 7pm you should go between 9 and 4:30 when the greenhouse and education center are open.

All parts of the Botanic Garden are free to enter.

The best way to get to the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens is by taxi because of how high up the slope it is.  However it is also interesting to walk there from Central.

Nearby is Government House, The Peak Tram terminus and Hong Kong Park.

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