Bangkok--26 Apr--Francom Asia
Visit Asia's world city and explore its unique, ever-changing mixture of classical traditions and cutting-edge modernity
Everybody must have heard what they say about Hong Kong, the never sleeping city. It has everything travelers will ever need from upscale shopping stores to stylish boutiques on street sides, paradise of delicacies, natural attractions, colonial architecture, modern arts or unique cultures and long-inherited traditions. You name it, Hong Kong has it. In April and May each year, Hong Kong serves up its rich cultural traditions in the form of colorful traditional festivities for all visitors. These 'mega events' include Birthday of Tin Hau, Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Buddha’s Birthday and Birthday of Tam Kung. Be prepared to invigorate your senses as you experience Hong Kong's vibrant culture through its colorful celebrations!
Marvels for the sea
Birthday of Tin Hau (April 25, 2011)
Kicking off the Hong Kong Cultural Celebrations 2011 festival is the Birthday of Tin Hau. Throughout the day, locals will take to the streets to enjoy the annual energetic lion dance shows and the accompanying parades. At Shap Pat Heung in Yuen Long, New Territories, tourists will be able to witness one of the day's grandest parades, where huge fa pau (floral wreaths), symbolizing good fortune and prosperity granted from Goddess of the Sea Tin Hau, will be on display. Prior to sailing, fishermen will visit temples and pray for safety, fine weather and full nets since Tin Hau is believed to have the ability to forecast the weather and save people from shipwrecks.
There are also festivities in Sai Kung, where a brightly decorated procession of fishing boats descends upon the temple and allows over 50,000 travelers and worshippers from around the world each year to participate in this sacred ceremony. Sai Kung’s Birthday of Tin Hau celebration falls on April 24 this year and the town is more than ready to showcase its genuine fishery culture to the eyes of the world.
Climb up for buns!
Cheung Chau Bun Festival (May 7-11, 2011)
It’s hard to imagine how delicious Chinese buns can be involved in a world-famous festival that has singlehandedly put Cheung Chau, a tiny dumbbell-shaped island, on the map for visitors across the globe. This unique annual festivity gets its name from the huge bun towers erected outside Pak Tai Temple. The tower plays host to an exciting bun tower climbing competition where contestants have to scramble up the 14-meter-tall structure and collect as many buns as possible in 3 minutes. The climbers will have to aim high too, as the buns with high score values are placed towards the top of the tower! Although the contest lasts only for a few minutes, it is a genuinely breathtaking challenge and definitely not one for the faint of heart. Most contestants are the local people of Cheung Chau, who believe that the buns symbolize good fortune and health.
Little angels rule!
Cheung Chau Bun Festival is never complete without the amazing Piu Sik (Floating Colours) parade. According to an old legend, the island was struck by a devastating plague many years ago, and the locals paraded through the island's narrow streets disguised as deities to drive away evil spirits. Today, inspired by this classical tradition, children dressed up as mythological or modern characters take part in the parade while appearing to levitate above the ground thanks to a complex system of rods and wires.
Bathing the Buddha
Birthday of Lord Buddha (May 10, 2011)
Fun is not the only offering for visitors from the Hong Kong Cultural Celebrations 2011 festival. In May, Hong Kong's Buddhist population will pay respects to the revered deity Buddha in Bathing the Buddha ceremonies. One of the best places to witness this event is Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, also known as the home of the Giant Buddha. During this annual ceremony, locals have a tradition of eating green cookies as they believe that this bitter snack will bring about good fortune afterwards. In addition, visitors will be delighted to see amazing kung fu performances by Shaolin monks as well as face-changing acts held in honor of Lord Buddha's birthday.
Hail to God of the Sea
Birthday of Tam Kung (May 10, 2011)
Apart from Tin Hau, Tam Kung is also worshipped by locals as the Sea God with supernatural powers. According to an oft-told legend, Tam Kung was a boy born in the Yuan dynasty. He was able to forecast the weather and cure illnesses at the age of 12, having achieved wisdom at such a young age. To repay his kindness, devotees will perform lively traditional dragon and lion dances and visit Tam Kung Temple in Shau Kei Wan, where the principal event takes place.
Get your plane tickets ready and prepare to witness Hong Kong’s timeless and memorable cultural events from April 25 to May 11, 2011. For latest updates from Asia’s world city, visit www.DiscoverHongKong.com today!
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