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| Bun Climbing anyone? |
A series of vibrant cultural celebrations will greet tourists coming to Cheung Chau Island in Asia’s world city this April as the island celebrates Cheung Chau Bun Festival, a colorful celebration held each year to thank the god Pak Tai for blessing and protecting Cheung Chau settlers.
The Bun Festival has been known worldwide for the Bun Scrambling competition, where contest participants climb a tower of buns and snatch as many buns as they can to win.
There’s also the Piu Sik Parade, where children dressed as mythological or modern characters re-enact the practice of driving away evil spirits in old times. During the parade, they are suspended by a system of rods and wires to appear like they are floating through the air.
During the festival, visitors are welcome to buy ‘lucky’ buns bearing the Chinese character for ‘peace’ from Cheung Chau’s local shops.
Festival Activities at a Glance
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Date
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Time
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Activities and Venues
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Location
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22 April
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Noon – 6pm
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Climbing Carnival
– Climbing demonstrations – Game stalls – Variety shows |
Soccer Pitch of Pak Tai
Temple Playground |
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25 April
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10am
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9pm
around Cheung Chau
Ritual marking start of Bun Festival
2 May
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Date
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Time
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Activities and Venues
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Location
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27 April
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2:30pm – 3:15pm
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8pm
Ritual and Chinese Acrobatic Performances
2pm – 4pm
Midnight
(Please refer to theparade route map)
Soccer Pitch of Pak Tai
Temple Playground
2pm
Ceremony to send the deities on Cheung Chau back to their temples