Hong Kong’s top luckiest spots to visit in the Year of the Rabbit

Now that Asia's World City is ready to welcome international visitors again, it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate Chinese New Year (CNY) in true Hong Kong style. After all, nowhere blends time-honored CNY traditions with modern energy quite like this buzzing metropolis. In honor of the Year of the Rabbit, here are five of Hong Kong's most fortuitous experiences to fill your year with good luck, health and prosperity.

Take Instagrammable photos with the 'Lucky Rabbit.' As the traditional color of CNY, red is believed to boost one's fortune. Don a new lucky red T-shirt, a red cheongsam dress or a Tang suit, then head to Hong Kong's festive displays to take epic shots for the Year of Rabbit.

Omni Kinder Festive Poon Choi PHOTO COURTESY OF GREEN COMMON

Chinese New Year Flower Market

Year of The Rabbit Fondant Cookies Set PHOTO COURTESY OF The Cakery

Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival PHOTO COURTESY OF LAM TSUEN RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE

Four major waterfront checkpoints featuring the Lucky Rabbit located in both sides of the Victoria Harbour.

Dukling decorated with CNY elements

Chinese New Year Raceday PHOTO COURTESY OF HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB

Brought to you by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, a series of dazzling CNY checkpoints have transformed the harbourfront. For starters, a giant Lucky Rabbit is making its debut on the roof of the Central Pier. Visitors will also discover more hoppin' displays – each with mesmerizing themes, lights, music, and interactive elements – at Admiralty's Tamar Park, the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade and Tsim Sha Tsui's Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Fortune around Hong Kong from January 19 to February 5 across Victoria Harbourfront.

Hop on auspicious harbour tours. On the first day of CNY, it's customary to usher in luck and prosperity by spending time outdoors. Visitors can embrace the tradition with a scenic Victoria Harbour cruise aboard a historic Star Ferry. Along the way, try to catch the Lucky Rabbit hiding on the ferry. Accrue more good fortune by exploring the CNY-themed harbourfront checkpoints in different ways, like a sightseeing tour on the antique Duk Ling junk boat or a pedal-boating adventure at the Wan Chai Water Sports and Recreation Precinct.

Experience unique Hong Kong CNY traditions. The Year of the Rabbit marks the return of many authentic Hong Kong CNY customs for visitors to enjoy. Among the must-try experiences, head to the Chinese New Year flower markets for festive shopping and take in good fortune as blooms signify wealth in Chinese culture. Chinese New Year Flower Market is open from January 16 to January 22 in 15 locations across Hong Kong.

Besides, stock up on luck at the CNY Race Day in Sha Tin, where epic horse races, lion dance performances and holiday décor await. The energized activity can definitely bring you a lucky start of the year with full power. Chinese New Year Raceday is on January 24 at the Sha Tin Racecourse

The Hong Kong Well-Wishing Festival, happening on January 22 to February 5 in Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree, Tai Po is another age-old CNY tradition. Simply jot down wishes on a notecard, tie it to a mandarin and toss it into a legendary tree. If the fruit catches a branch, the wishes may come true.

Indulge in classic dishes with modern twists. A time for connection, Chinese New Year brings families together over delicious meals symbolizing longevity, fortune and wealth. Year after year, Hong Kong restaurants reinvigorate traditional CNY dishes with fresh ideas.

This year, Green Common has reinvented poon choi (or “prosperity stew” made with meat, seafood and veggies) using only plant-based meat alongside vegetarian ingredients. Meanwhile, Häagen-Dazs has transformed traditional nin gou (a sticky rice cake representing prosperity) into a CNY ice cream cake, which also comes with another option of Chinese candy box (named chuen hup in Cantonese meaning togetherness and perfection).

Give creative gifts of good fortune. Throughout CNY, Hong Kong people bring gifts to family gatherings to spread goodwill and fortune with loved ones. Putting a spin on tradition, Dang Wen Li by Dominique Ansel bakery has crafted mochi buns in the shape of mandarins – a symbol of good fortune – alongside gift box brimming with sweet delicacies, which features a centerpiece decoration of a cute rabbit performing lion dance. On the other hand, The Cakery is whipping up adorable rabbit-themed fondant cookies that are perfect for CNY.