Crowds flocked to Che Kung Temple in Tai Wai and Sha Tin Racecourse on Thursday, the third day of the Chinese New Year, in hopes of striking it lucky in the Year of the Horse.

The day is known as "chek hou", literally "Red Mouth", when people are thought to be more likely to argue, so most people shun social visits or large gatherings.

"Because it's Red Mouth Day, so I took my daughter here to feel how lively it is and to take in the Che Kung Temple culture," a father told RTHK.

"We're here to wish for good fortune. The most important thing is for everybody to stay healthy and have harmony in the family and businesses to do well, so we can all earn more money."

Many others bought pinwheels at the temple in the hope of better fortunes.

One worshipper spent HK$300 on the souvenir, saying it wasn't expensive at all.

Deputy Police Commissioner Johnson Chan was there to inspect crowd-control measures.

He expressed hopes for an improvement of the economy and Hong Kong to be a safer place, so that the public could go visit different places happily in the Year of the Horse.

Not far away is Sha Tin Racecourse which hosted the first race day of the Lunar New Year, with visitors given complimentary pinwheels for good fortune.

Celebrities such as singer Kelly Chen got the day off to a great start with lively performances, with officials such as Financial Secretary Paul Chan and Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law also on hand.

A woman told RTHK she and two friends "met up for a walk and to get the free gift", and that she hoped to win a few hundred dollars.

Mainland visitors also thronged the racecourse, with one saying she wanted to get a feel of the racing atmosphere, especially in the Year of the Horse.


Edited by Edmond Fong