25,000 people flock to Hong Kong’s Cheung Chau for famed parade and festival, but bun competition too late for some
- Streets and alleyways on the scenic outlying island are packed for the Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival
- Signature bun-scrambling competition will be held at night
At least 25,000 people flocked to Hong Kong’s Cheung Chau for a parade and festival on Wednesday, but many said they would not stay on the outlying island for a signature bun-scrambling competition at night because of the crowds as well as school or work the next day.
The sound of gongs, drums and suona – a Chinese reed instrument – resonated throughout the scenic island as dancing qilin – a mythical hoofed beast – made their way through the packed streets and alleyways for the Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival, which also fell on Buddha’s Birthday, a public holiday.
Spectators eagerly waited for the Piu Sik parade, a traditional Taoist ritual featuring children aged between four and six dressed in colourful costumes and balanced on “floating” platforms.
Sun Ferry said at least 25,000 people had made the trip from Central to Cheung Chau as of 5pm. By 8pm, the number of passengers using its service going in either direction had reached 51,000, an increase of 18.5 per cent over last year.
Revellers braced for hot weather, with the temperature hitting 28.1 degrees Celsius (82.6 degrees Fahrenheit) at 2pm.
Teacher Lianna Wittenberg was on Cheung Chau for the festival for the first time with her Spanish husband and two daughters, aged four and six. She said that while they wanted to see the bun towers, they would leave before the start of the competition.