Take the ferry from Central Pier 5.
Located in the southwest of Hong Kong Island, Cheung Chau is a small island with an area of approximately 3 square kilometers. It has a population of more than 30,000. Also known as "Dumbbell Island" due to its shape, Cheung Chau has the two large ends and a narrow middle. It used to be a fishing village. Although this island is a major tourist attraction today, Cheung Chau still preserves many of the traditional customs.
There is not much cars in Cheung Chau. The locals use bicycles.
1) Bun Festival (長洲太平清醮 / 包山節)
This annual festival happens between April 5 & 9 on the lunisolar calendar (農曆四月初五至九).
Bun Scrambling Competition (搶包山)
The Bun Scrambling Competition consists of competitors dashing up a bamboo tower of buns. The conical tower has a height of 14 to 16 meters. The goal is to collect as many "lucky" buns as possible within 3 minutes. Buns earn the scramblers points and good fortune. Usually, the competitors race to the top first to pick the buns with highest points. In the past, the buns were real. About 9,000 buns cover one tower. Today, plastic imitations are used in order to avoid food wastage.
The Piu Sik (Floating Colors) Parade (飄色會景巡遊)
In the late Qing dynasty (1644–1911), a plague devastated Cheung Chau. Since then, villagers paraded through the island's narrow streets disguised as deities to drive away evil spirits. Today, youngsters, aged between 5 and 6 years old, are dressed up as mythological figures and modern Chinese heroes, to re-enact that drama. They appear to float above the heads of the crowd on an intricate system of rod and wires. The performers are sit on chairs hidden under their costume. Each float has 2 young performers.
Peace Bun (平安包)
2) Snack Time!
(Fresh made potato chips)
(Giant fish balls)
(Mango smoothie)
There exists a variety of snacks. More to taste next time!
3) Tung Wan Beach (東灣泳灘)
4) Rock Carvings
Located next to the Warwick Hotel, a geologist discovered this 3,000-year old rock in 1970.
5) Windsurfing
From Cheung Chau. Lai-Shan Lee (李麗珊) a.k.a. Shan Shan is the only gold medalist representing Hong Kong. She performed in windsurfing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. In order to commemorate her achievement, a sculpture of windsurfer is built. Kwun Yam Wan Beach is the home base her. Today, Kwun Yam Wan Beach offers facilities in water sports including windsurfing and canoeing.
6) Dragon Boats
Hong Kong Observation Wheel
Central MTR Station Exit A to Central Piers
Admission: 100 HKD (credit card accepted)
Duration: 15 minutes (3 revolutions)
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