There are tons of things that portray the rich, fascinating culture of Hong Kong. One that particularly stands out is the numerous festivals and celebrations that take place in the city. Given how numerous they are, these sparky occasions seemingly happen throughout the year, commemorating various things such as deities and distinct natural phenomena. The dynamic nature of this marvelous city allows these festivals to be a fusion of ethnic Chinese culture and western influences. Due to this, HK has been transformed into a living cultural experience that people from all parts of the world can enjoy.
Experiencing these spectacular events has never been made any easier. Cathay Pacific has flights from virtually all corners of the globe to Hong Kong. Thus, there’s really no reason to miss out on this one of a kind adventure. What’s more, the airline’s website enables you to search for flights from any destination around the world, making it easy to find and book the appropriate ones.
Hong Kong hosts diverse festivals from traditional folk holidays to iconic international events. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular festivals that occur in the city, guaranteed to give you a unique cultural experience.
Spring Festival
Otherwise known as the Chinese New Year, this is without a doubt the most popular of all Chinese holidays. The festival marks the beginning of the year according to the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Although Hong Kong has long been under British protection, the Chinese influence in the city has made this holiday a big deal there as well. The occasion is usually filled with buzzing excitement as tourists from all over the world flock the streets of Hong Kong to get a taste of what the atmosphere is like during this special time. Locals mark the holiday in lots of fun ways that fuse modern, contemporary activities with ancient customs. There’s so much you can fill your itinerary with during the celebration including performances by local and international stars, and spectacular fireworks displays. The festival usually takes place between January and February and goes on for the first 15 days of the lunar calendar.
The lantern Festival
This festival takes place on the fifteenth day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. It marks the end of the Chinese New Year and has been an important part of Chinese culture for over two millennia. The festival is arguably the most beautiful one as it involves the releasing of lanterns into the sky, which is usually done by children who correctly solve various riddles.
Le French May
Here’s an example of a festival that portrays just how diverse HK is. Le French May takes place annually from May 1st to June 30th and attracts multitudes of people from all over the world. It’s an event organized by the French embassy to exhibit and promote French arts and culture. During the celebration, numerous French paintings, music, dances, theatrical performances, sculptures, and films are showcased. In addition, French designers also organize fashion shows to display the amazing clothing designs from their home country. You’ll also get a chance to chow down on some of the best French cuisines during the festival. Wine auctions and wine-tasting tours are also held during the celebrations. Whether you’re a Francophile or not, this festival will definitely give you a new appreciation for the French.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival
This festival takes place in Cheung Chau island in Hong Kong, which is also known as the dumbbell island due to its shape. It is held on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Lunar calendar, which falls around the end of April or the beginning of May. Pak Tai, Tin Hau, and Kuan Yin are some of the deities honored during the celebrations. Pak Tai Temple is where the highlight of the festival takes place. Here, 60-feet tall bamboo structures known as Bun Towers engage the locals in an ancient ritual. The main activity during the celebration is Bun-snatching, which involves young men racing up the Bun Towers to retrieve buns. Cheung Chau Bun Festival lasts for seven days, three of which make the whole island vegetarians. Most of the island’s seafood restaurants adhere to this and even international establishments such as Mc Donald’s remove meat from their menus to honor the celebrations.
These festivals are important elements in the culture of Hong Kong and its people. They attract hundreds of thousands of tourists and are an amazing way to experience the city’s raw and untethered nature.
