Mint Mocha Musings

The hotelier's wife: an expat affair in Asia

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Nicole
  • Mint Mocha Menu
    • Asian Adventures
    • Pacific Playgrounds
    • Expat Encounters
    • Repatriation Realities
    • Hotel Confessions
    • Motherhood Moments
    • Media Matters
    • China Culture
  • Work With Me
  • You’ll Find Me At….
    • BOOK RELEASE!
    • Reviews/Interviews
    • Sydney Morning Herald
    • Mamamia
    • Kidspot
    • Huffington Post
    • FairPlanet.Org
    • Hong Kong Moms
    • JumpStart Magazine Hong Kong
    • AsiaSpa Magazine
    • W Hotel Hong Kong
    • Women With Words Hong Kong
    • The HK Hub
    • Expat Focus
    • SASSYmama/SASSYHongKong
    • Playtimes Magazine
    • Coping With Jane
    • Expats blog: an experience shared
    • expat blog
  • Snap of the Day in China
  • Word of the Week
  • Sponsored Posts/Reviews & Partnerships
  • Free Updates, Tips & Giveaways!
  • Travel Asia
    • China
      • Xi’an
      • Shanghai
      • Beijing
      • Guilin
      • Shenzhen
      • Hangzhou
      • Chengdu
      • Luoyang
      • Sanya
      • Guangzhou
    • Tibet
    • Hong Kong
    • Macau
    • Thailand
    • Singapore
  • Travel Pacific
    • New Caledonia
    • Fiji
  • Expats Transferring $$ Home

One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure…..Cheung Chau Island 長洲

June 8, 2013 by Nicole Webb

Chinese New Year children

Hong Kong loves a good shindig! That’s a given.

In the last couple of months there’ve been at least half a dozen festivals around town, including one of the biggest art festivals in the world – Art Basel. 

But I figure there’s enough info flying around on that for you to get a ‘google’ handle on without my two cents worth.

There’s also Le French May bringing a touch of Paris to Asia’s Manhattan with a plethora of baguettes, croissants and enough l’eclair au chocolat to keep your gym membership alive, not to mention the ever popular and action packed Dragon Boat Carnival.  The biggest in the world, this baby is renowned for revellers, beers and plenty of cheers! 

Dragon Boat Festival

But what really caught my eye and not just for its annual ‘Bun Festival’ (which as one of the world’s top ten ‘quirky’ festivals is a whole lot of fun) is a little island just south east of the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong’s concrete jungle — it’s called Cheung Chau Island, meaning Long Island and yes… it’s an excuse to bring you some pretty pictures (most of which I can’t take credit for).

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

Long Island it’s not though – stretching just ten kilometres, it’s one of 263 islands that skirt the biggest of them all – Hong Kong Island. 

But like a lot of things in life, don’t be fooled by its size —  this pocket-sized paradise packs a mean tropical punch!

CheungChau#

Inhabited by locals for longer than most people have been wielding chopsticks in Hong Kong, historians put Cheung Chau at at least 7000 years old.  

Cheung Chau Island

These days around 23,000 people squeeze on board the duly nicknamed ‘dumbbell’ (because of its shape) but 100 years ago this once thriving fishing village had more residents living on Junk boats than on land.

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

First impressions are of an island that still bears the footprints of a charming way of life that existed well before civilization. 

Laced with cobblestone streets and narrow lane ways, Cheung Chau has all the  hallmarks of a quaint European village.

Cheung Chau Island

Image Source: Nick G, www.cheungchauhk.com

With no roads wide enough for cars, it’s two feet or two wheels… unless you’ve got an emergency! Then you’ll take a ride in these ‘made to measure’ teeny tiny emergency service vehicles. (Which much to my husband’s amusement fascinate me no end!)

Cheung Chau small ambulance

Littered with temples, seafood restaurants and sandy beaches, a 30 minute boat ride from Hong Kong, the island today is ripe for tourists. 

But truth be told, there’s more to this treasure island than meets the eye — it quite possibly has more history than could be deemed appropriate for such a small archipelago.

For starters, there’s a 19th Century pirate’s hideout — famous Cheung Po Tsai reportedly used to hide his treasure in a cave on the island while he was sailing the South China Sea, pillaging villages and swigging rum. (In fact, the well known movie ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ has a character based on this notorious lad.) 

Cheung Chau Island Pirate Cave

With a robust community that has well and truly stood the test of time, most locals today stem from generations of family that have long called Cheung Chau home.

And it’s an island that hasn’t been immune to hardship… in the 19th Century a plague almost devastated the tiny sanctuary.

To save Cheung Chau, local fishermen travelled to mainland China to seek out the holy statue of Pak Tai (Emperor of Heaven) and bring him back to the island, desperately hoping his power could bring them safety and prosperity. 

Guess what? Legend has it, it did.  

And so it was the beginning of the famous Bun Festival. 

Cheung Chau Floating Colours

 

According to folklore, the epidemic disappeared after the event was staged and from then on it’s been held every year, without fail. 

That said, there’s another school of thought that the festival originated after a ceremony to placate the ghosts of victims of pirates who used to terrorize the island in the 18th Century.

(Locals even advised us against swimming on the island during the Bun Festival, should we fall victim to evil spirits lurking in the waters….)

Like everywhere in China, ancient mythology plays as big a role today as it ever has. Even now, before the Bun festival date is set, locals must ask Pak Tai’s advice. Using two stones – flat on one side and curved on the other…. they’re thrown into the air. The way they land dictates when the festival will be held. (Who needs a calendar!)

Before the festival begins, residents on the island purify themselves by having a bath and eating a vegetarian diet for three days. Many fishermen cease to fish.

Back in the day,  locals built an altar to honour Pak Tai and ward off evil spirits. Aptly named the Pak Tai Temple, it’s now the oldest temple in Hong Kong. 

Cheung Chau Pak Tai100 years later the same rituals are performed including a procession of courageous lions and magical unicorns dancing to the beat of rhythmic drums, along with the Piu Sik or Floating Colours parade which has become world famous!

Children as young as three sit (although a little precariously) on poles with bicycle seats, some as high as 2.5 metres for up to four hours on floats gliding through the streets. The aim is to make them look as though they are Gods floating through the air.  (I’m told by my local Cheung Chau friend, once these children are up on their seats….bribery is key – ice-cream anyone?)

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

Then there’s the grand finale – as night falls, competitors stand poised at the bottom of an enormous 60 foot bamboo tower studded with lucky buns! On signal they scramble to the top and try to pluck off as many as possible. These days they are plastic, the traditional bun climb came to a tragic end in 1978, when a tower collapsed, injuring thirty climbers in the process. The event was then banned for the following 26 years. Reintroduced in 2005, the new event is somewhat tamer than the original and all climbers wear harnesses.   

Bun Festival Cheung Chau

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t worry if you’re not up for the climb, these holy buns symbolizing good luck and good health are now available on the ground for everyone.

Cheung Chau is a fascinating island village where in many respects, time stands still, a place where legends live on and still waters run deep.

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

Image Source: Martin Williams, www.drmartinwilliams.com

What about you? Have you stumbled across a treasure chest in your part of the world? Where is it? I’d love to know.

*Thanks to Martin Williams for allowing me permission to use his spectacular photos. You can see more on DrMartinWilliam’s website here >>

 

Related Posts

  • The Expat View: Why Traveling will Never be the Same.The Expat View: Why Traveling will Never be the Same.
  • A date with destiny….A date with destiny….
  • Moving to Hong Kong – 10 things you shouldn’t leave home without!Moving to Hong Kong – 10 things you shouldn’t leave home without!
  • Reinventing the Wheel: From Television News Reader to Expat Mum in AsiaReinventing the Wheel: From Television News Reader to Expat Mum in Asia
  • Homeland…Homeland…
  • A high price to pay…A high price to pay…

Enjoyed that post? If so, why not sign up to Mint Mocha Musings so you don't miss a thing! Updates, Tips and Freebies

The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profile

Nicole Webb

A Journalist, Nicole worked for Sky News Australia for a decade as a News Reader / Reporter / Producer. After ten years on the box, she decided to look outside the box and with her hotelier husband made the life-changing decision to live in Hong Kong - the city that never sleeps! Just as well, because she didn't get much sleep either with new babe in tow. Emerging from a sleep-deprived bubble, Nicole has reinvented herself as a freelance Writer, Copywriter, Presenter, Media Consultant and Master of Ceremonies...and best of all - Blogger! Just in time for the next stop - deep, dark China. The hotelier's wife has found herself in Xi'an! Check out Mint Mocha Musings for plenty of intriguing, humorous and uplifting tales from her expat life in Asia so far. You can also find her on Twitter: @nicoledwebb.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profile

Latest posts by Nicole Webb (see all)

  • Bula! Is Fiji Worth Putting on Your Travel List? - February 7, 2018
  • Why My Six Year Old is Learning Chinese, Down Under. - January 15, 2018
  • Don’t Call Us ‘Leftovers!’ China’s Unmarried Women Hit Back at Ikea. - December 4, 2017

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Asian Adventures, Expat Encounters, Mint Mocha Musings Tagged With: Art Basel, Asia, Bun Festival, Cheung Chau, Dragon Boat Festival, Dumbbell Island, Expat, expat life, Expat life in Hong Kong, Fishing village, Floating Colours Parade, Hong Kong festivals, Long Island Hong Kong, Pak Tai

Comments

  1. wedding dresses at womanwithin says

    June 27, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    Good to be visiting your websiteblog again, it has been weeks for me. Well this is the article that i’ve been waiting for so long. I can use this article to end my assignment in the college, and it has same topic like your post. Regards, excellent share.

Search here …

Word of the Week

Word of the Week

About

Hey there! Nice to see you. I'm Nicole - a former News Reader with Sky News Australia turned Expat, Writer and Mum in Hong Kong, before heading to deepest, darkest China and then back again to Sydney. What a journey!
Jump on board and enjoy the musings with with me, my hotelier husband and hyped up blondie. Read More…

Expats – Need to Transfer Money Home?

Expats – Need to Transfer Money Home?

Once Upon an Expat Anthology

Follow Mint Mocha Musings by email!

* = required field

powered by MailChimp!

Free Resources: Click Images

Free Resources: Click Images
  • The Big 5: Shop till You Drop in Hong Kong
  • Why Hong Kong's Outliving the Rest of the World!
  • China's Paradise on Earth - Hangzhou! Is it Worth a Visit?
  • Expat Life in Hong Kong Versus Mainland China: Is There a Difference?
  • Having a Baby in China...the Good, the Bad, the Ugly!
ClearFx Currency Converter Add this to your site
Australians living in Hong Kong
Support for repatriation!
Paperblog
Australian Women Bloggers Directory by Blog Chicks
Tripoto
Expat Interview
iCompareFX.com Expat Blog Awards 2017
  • RSS - Posts
Follow
Top 20 Expats Blogs 2017

Like Our Adventures on Facebook!

Mint Mocha Musings was selected for preservation by the National Library of Australia

Follow me on Twitter

  • nicoledwebb Extremely convenient ✌🏽☺️ t.co/YORpRdSpTp Time ago 44 Minutes via Twitter for iPhone

Follow @nicoledwebb on twitter.

Add me on Google Plus

Check out Instagram

  • Great working with this man over the last few days. @mikemichelini is the powerhouse behind @globalfromasia and the #CrossborderSummit! Brilliant experience. Thanks for having me. 😁#MC #China
  • My little atrium and its little slice of Europe is coming to fruition. #newmirror #home Thanks ma & pa in law. 🏡👨‍👩‍👧

Follow me

© Copyright 2014 Mint Mocha Musings · All Rights Reserved · Graphics by Miss Pickles · Design by Project Prettify ·

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
%d bloggers like this: