Exciting Chinese Festivals

By Author: Ammy Lee
Total Articles: 4
Comment this article

Visit Hong Kong during any month of the year and you are likely to stumble upon a festival of some kind. Often religious in their nature, celebrations in Hong are bright, bold and full of fun things to do and see.

There are so many festivals to choose from that we could not pack them all in. Instead, here is a selection that you will find in full swing during the second half of the year.

The excitement of the Dragon Boat Festival

Taking place over three days, this battle to be dragon boat champions is a real spectacle. Teams of men in ornately adorned dragon-shaped boating vessels hold tightly fought races in June of each year. Unlike any other boat race you are ever likely to see.

Celebrating independence at the Mid Autumn Festival

Like the Americans celebrate their independence, the Chinese celebrate their independence with their Mid Autumn Festival. Each September the city is alight with lanterns of all colours, dragon costumes are worn, and Mooncakes are eaten. These are certainly an acquired taste: pastry containing two salted duck eggs.

The Ching Ming Festival

This festival ...
... takes place in October and is very special to the families of Hong Kong. Chinese families visit the sites of the graves of their ancestors during this time to honour them and leave offerings. Food is shared, especially Ko, which is a Chinese cake meaning top. It is said to promote all who eat it to the top.

This one day festival also commemorates a famous Han Dynasty, 202 BD to 220 AD, legend, and Hong Kong families go hiking up to the tops of hills in the area to picnic together.

Dong Zhi, the winter solstice

The Dong Zhi festival takes place on the longest evening of the year, when daylight is at its shortest, and winter is said to arrive. It is a time for families to gather together and share large meals, preparing themselves for the cold winter months ahead.

Dong Zhi is a time for everyone to don their newest threads and hit the party circuit. Families celebrate together, exchanging gifts and warm wishes, while many make merry and drink into the wee small hours.

DialAFlight provide an excellent flight booking service. Call us today and speak to one of our advisors. We can help you book your at http://www.dialaflight.com/flights/asia/hongkong/ flights to Hong Kong with just one a phone call.