Hong Kong City Public Park is located in the central area of Hong Kong Island, opened in 1991, covers an area of 8 hectares. Until 1979, the barracks of the English military garrison Victoria were located at this place, until the Hong Kong government decided to build state and commercial buildings on part of the territory, and a large city park on the rest. The creation of the “green oasis” cost 398 million Hong Kong dollars; the park’s design harmoniously combines the natural landscape and modern design. On one side, the park is surrounded by skyscrapers, and on the other, it offers beautiful views of Victoria Peak, the highest point of Hong Kong Island. An artificial lake with a waterfall has been created in the center of the park, a large aviary has been built, in which more than 80 species of exotic birds live. In order to allow visitors to observe birds nearby, hanging paths at the level of tree crowns are equipped in the aviary. The park has a conservatory, a Tai Chi garden, a multi-level children's playground, a 30-meter-high observation tower, fountains, and shady alleys. The park also has Olympic Square - an open amphitheater in the ancient Greek style, which can accommodate up to 880 spectators. The theater hosts exhibitions, theater performances, concerts and other recreational activities. Lovers of outdoor activities visit the modern Sports Center, which has courts, basketball and volleyball courts, tables for playing table tennis, and a gym. The park's squash center is the largest in Hong Kong, hosting national championships and international competitions. The park has a conservatory, a center for visual arts, a museum of tea-ware, cafes and restaurants. In 1998, Hong Kong Park received an award from the American Institute of Architects for the best design of a city park. About a million people visit the park annually; it is one of the favorite vacation spots of citizens and visitors of Hong Kong.