Festivals Galore

In Hong Kong, May is a time for celebration. Take your pick from the month's eclectic festivals; each promises unique cultural experiences that are only found here, in our joyous metropolis.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival ( May 12, 2008)

According to legend, many years ago locals on Cheung Chau discovered the remains of fellow residents who had been killed by pirates. As a result, the island suffered from a plague. Since then, the islanders take part in four days of Taoist activities to protect their land and people from misfortune. The rituals culminate in the final day of Cheung Chau Bun Festival, which is one of the most happening cultural events in Hong Kong.

Normally, Cheung Chau is a quaint island, but during the Bun Festival it embraces a number of uncanny activities. First, a temporary altar and stage are erected and decorated in the public square near the Pak Tai Temple, along with an enormous tower made of buns. Then, the entire island goes vegetarian. Even fast food outlets and the Cheung Chau seafood restaurants abide by this tradition.

Festival day begins with crowds gathering in the Pak Tai Temple square. A parade of dragon dancers, performers, and 'floating' children dressed as characters from Chinese folklore stun audiences. At this time, the bun tower is completely covered with sweet Chinese buns inscribed with red marks. Traditionally, participants raced up the towers to retrieve the highest buns possible for good luck. However, after a fatal accident in 1978, the bun snatching antic is now played out by trained athletes.

Cheung Chau is accessible by ferry service and the island itself is small enough to walk around.

Birthday of Lord Buddha ( May 12, 2008)

Find your own nirvana through celebrating the birthday of Lord Buddha, marking the birth of Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism. Buddhists revere their deity by heading to temples to bathe statues of Buddha. This is a spiritual and sombre affair, in which followers show respect for the purified and awakened Buddha. Celebrations take place from at temples and monasteries throughout Hong Kong. The most popular is at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, which is home to the world's largest seated outdoor bronze statue of Buddha. Visitors can partake in washing the Buddha and can observe the Shaolin monks performing kung fu. Take the ferry to Lantau and then bus no. 2 from Mui Wo, or the spectacular Ngong Ping 360 cable car (Tung Chung MTR).

Birthday of Tin Hau and Tam Kung

Fishing communities throughout Hong Kong celebrate the birthdays of Tin Hau and Tam Kung, both patron saints of the sea.

April 28, 2008 - Tin Hau was the daughter of a fisherman who could predict coming storms. With over 60 temples devoted to Tin Hau, Hong Kongers have not forgotten their roots and their dependence on a good catch. On the Birthday of Tin Hau, boats are decorated in colourful banners and prayers are made to the goddess to grant good luck for fishing. Locals head to the various Tin Hau temples to offer the goddess paper flowers called 'fa pau'. (The temple near Tin Hau MTR is the easiest to reach). Celebrations also take place in the New Territories at Joss House Bay in Sai Kung and in Yuen Long, where the goddess is honoured with lion dances and street performances. Gray Line Tours offers a Tin Hau tour to join the festivities in Yuen Long. For more information, see www.grayline.com.hk or call 2368 7111.

May 12, 2008 - Fishermen honour Tam Kung, who brings security and happiness, through festivities at the Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan on Hong Kong Island (Shau Kei Wan MTR). Look for dragon dances and a kung fu show. Chinese Festivals in May Festivals Lunar Date   Birthday of Tin Hau Third Moon Day   Cheung Chau Bun Festival Fourth Moon Day   Birthday of Lord Buddha Fourth Moon Day 8   Birthday of Tam Kung Fourth Moon Day 8