Celebrating the Chinese festivals of Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Chinese legacy shows its self through the festivals it holds throughout the year. To experience the best of Hong Kong’s celebrations it is recommended that you find a tour group to join. So let go of yourself and join the thousands of folks in feasting, dancing and fireworks and believe you won’t have enough of the festivities.

Chinese New Year – The primary Chinese festival in and out of Hong Kong, characterized by its famous night parade eventually becomes a full-blown giant street party. Be sure not to miss the beautifully stunning fireworks display as it lights up the night sky and if you’re a betting man try your luck on a Chinese New Race day that is held every Jan 25.

Che Kung’s Birthday – A general of the Sung Dynasty, Che Kung was elevated to divine status and now has his own shrine. Che Kung is basically a good luck god and on his birthday lots of people including gamblers visits the temple to consult fortunetellers and turn the wheel of fortune. Hong Kong’s Sha Tin Racecourse is located nearby, pretty convenient huh?

Spring Lantern Festival – Marking the end of Chinese New Year celebrations, this festival is also a romantic occasion and colorful lanterns adorn every park and homes.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival – What started as a ritual ceremonial parade to banish the plague that afflicted the island of Cheung Chau, has now become a festival thanking the god Pak Tai who supposedly ended the plague.  The main attraction is the Bun Mountain, a group of tower studded with buns and where athletes scramble up the tower when the midnight comes.

Dragon Boat Festival – This ancient is held in remembrance of the popular Chinese hero, Qu Yuan who drowned himself in the Mi Lo River as a form of protest against the corruption of the rulers. The festival is marked by the Deities Parade in the fishing village of Tai O and the famous Dragon Boat racing.

Hungry Ghost Festival – Held during the seventh moon of the lunar calendar where it is believed that the spirits of the dead roam the earth. The festival’s purpose is to appease the ghosts roaming around, believer’s burn fake money and offer food to ghosts. They also perform Chinese operas and burn Joss papers and incense to further placate the spirits.

The birthday of Confucius - Celebrating one of China’s most influential philosophers his birthday is commemorated with great reverence due to his legacy teaching that stresses the virtues of chastity, justice, propriety, wisdom and loyalty. It's been 2, 500 years and yet his teaching still endures.

Dong Zhi Festival – This is the Chinese calendar’s second most important festival, the Winter Solstice. This is the time when the night is longest and the daylight is shorter, it is also the time for family reunions. Families celebrate this festival by visiting families with gifts, putting on new clothes and drinking liquors.

Austin Ames has many years' experience in article writing and he has written many more in the past.