AI TONG: HONG KONG’S RED LEAF SEASON Photographing red leaves has become increasingly popular — and there’s no need to travel abroad to experience it. At Tai Tong, within Tai Lam Country Park, winter transforms the sweet gum woods into one of Hong Kong’s most striking seasonal landscapes.

From Long Ping Station, take Exit B2 and board bus K66 to Tai Tong Shan Road. During peak red leaf season, Sunday and public holiday services run directly between Long Ping and Tai Tong, making access easier. From the drop-off point, it’s a 2.6-kilometre uphill walk (around 40–45 minutes) to the pavilion where the trees grow most densely. Alternatively, red minibuses from Yuen Long or taxis can shorten the climb.

Despite common belief, these are not maple trees but Liquidambar formosana, or Chinese sweet gum. Their three-lobed, star-shaped leaves turn from yellow to deep red before falling. The trees are relatively low and densely planted along a 400-metre stretch, ideal for eye-level photography. An elevated path along the hillside offers additional angles. Arrive early during weekends to enjoy the rare spectacle of autumn colour in subtropical Hong Kong.