Dumpling Festival in Hong Kong (China) returns for the first time after Covid-19 pandemic

On May 26 (April 8 of the lunar calendar), despite the hot weather, thousands of tourists were present in Truong Chau to join in the local people's dumpling festival.

Lễ hội bánh bao ở Hong Kong (Trung Quốc) lần đầu tiên trở lại sau dịch Covid-19

Despite the hot weather, thousands of tourists gathered in Changzhou to take part in the local dumpling festival. The parade included many children dressed in colorful traditional costumes. (SMCP)

Every year on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month, people on Cheung Chau Island, part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China), hold a dumpling festival to express their gratitude to the gods who helped the fishing village here eliminate the epidemic that claimed millions of lives. This year's dumpling festival coincides with the Buddha's birthday.

According to legend, the festival has a historical origin of over 100 years ago. This year's festival is held from May 23-27, with the main festival on May 26. On the morning of May 27, the Organizing Committee also gave away 20,000 bags of "Peace" dumplings to locals and tourists.

On May 26 (April 8th of the lunar calendar), despite the hot weather, thousands of tourists arrived in Truong Chau to join the local dumpling festival. The ferry company doubled the trips to ensure that passengers could be picked up early in the morning. As of 8pm on May 26th, over 43,000 passengers had taken the ferry to the island.

This year, the parade and the bun-snatching competition, which had been suspended for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, have officially returned. The weather was hot but did not affect the mood of the people and tourists much.

On May 26 (April 8 of the lunar calendar), despite the hot weather, thousands of tourists were present in Truong Chau to join in the local dumpling festival. (According to SMCP)

In the hot weather, the streets of Cheung Chau become more lively than usual with many activities such as parades, lion dances and art performances. This is one of the oldest and most colorful festivals in Hong Kong.

The parade featured many children dressed in colorful traditional costumes, reborn as ancient and modern characters, lifted up on a "floating" stand and walked through the streets and alleys. The visitors were all very excited and took pictures.

The parade took place in a vibrant atmosphere, with lion dance performances along the street, along with trumpet performances, lion dances and grand dumpling parades on the street.

Ancient costumes such as Guanyin, Empress Wu Zetian... modern costumes including firefighters, police, medical staff... attract the cheers of tourists on both sides of the road. People also carry dumpling towers to parade around the Pak Tai temple to show gratitude and ask for help from the gods.

Coming to Truong Chau these days, visitors not only get to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, but more than that, this is also an opportunity to enjoy traditional dishes, including the famous dumplings. (According to SMCP)

Many tourists lined up in front of dumpling shops to buy "Peace" dumplings for their families or as gifts for their loved ones.

Steamed buns are a traditional food of the Chinese people in general and Hong Kong people in particular. However, Hong Kong is the only place that holds a festival with steamed buns as the main offering to the gods.

In addition to traditional dumplings, shops also sell dumpling-shaped decorations. Shop owners said sales are expected to recover to 70-80% of pre-pandemic levels and will close later on the evening of May 26 so that visitors can buy as many of their favorite souvenirs as possible.

The most exciting event is the bun climbing competition at 12 midnight. This year's final round has 9 male athletes and 3 female athletes competing for the position of "bun king" and "bun queen". (According to SMCP)

This year, the three giant dumpling mountains used for offerings were replaced by hanging paintings due to manpower and production issues. Only three small dumpling mountains, each nearly 5 meters high, were erected in the old location. Although the size of the three dumpling mountains has decreased, it has not stopped people from checking in as souvenirs.

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