Although it only moved to its current location in 1997 the Hong Kong Bird Park in Yuen Po has a long history and has always been one of the city`s most memorable experiences.
Even before the Park opens the sound of birdsong emanates from surrounding cafes and restaurants whose ceilings are hung with birdcages while their owners sip tea and slurp wan-tan below. The moon-gated entrances to the park further add to the forest-like ambience of the park and provide a welcome respite from the manic streets of this city. After passing through them you soon find yourself in dark alleys of ornate teak cages shining in beams of sun and surrounded by the sound of thousands of caged songbirds singing. Over seventy stores sell everything related to keeping birds from the birds themselves, and their array of ornate cages, to birdfood like crickets and worms. The pleasent courtyards in the rest of the park provide a relaxing space where men gather to gaze lovingly at their caged birds; comparing them with neighbours` and friends`birds in an informal contest of songmanship and beauty. Songbirds are still a favourite passion of Hong Kong men which hopefully the recent Asian avian influenze (bird flu) epidemic will not affect too much and the special atmosphere of this special area of Hong Kong will live on for many more years.

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