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Thousands Flock to Hong Kong's Iconic Bun Festival
25 May
Summary
- The festival celebrates a century-old tradition of prayers for peace.
- Children in costume parade, with a midnight bun-scrambling competition.
- The event draws tourists and locals to Cheung Chau island.
Hong Kong's Cheung Chau island was alive with celebration as thousands attended the iconic bun festival. This centennial tradition, deeply rooted in prayers for peace and blessings, saw residents and tourists enjoying the festivities. A vibrant parade, known as 'Piu Sik' or 'floating colors,' showcased children dressed as deities and characters, carried on stands through narrow lanes.
The festival's thrilling climax occurs at midnight with the bun-scrambling competition. Participants scale a tower adorned with plastic buns, aiming to collect the highest score within a time limit. This tradition, which was suspended for decades after safety concerns in 1978, resumed in 2005. Legends trace the festival's origins to prayers for deliverance from plague, with modern celebrations continuing to dispel disaster and seek blessings for safety.
