Tai O holds traditional dragon boat water parade

On Lantau Island, Tai O residents held the traditional dragon boat water parade to celebrate the annual festival, with locals hoping the gala will bring about peace and good weather in the fishing village.

Villagers in the scenic fishing town of Tai O kicked off the parade with an age-old ritual involving their dragon boats "plucking the greens" that supposedly grants the locals good fortune.

They would then visit four temples to offer prayers before carrying statues of popular folk deities such as Mazu and Hung Shing onto their vessels.

Believed by locals of having the ability to bless the weather, the statues are brought to waterways throughout the region in a parade holding spiritual significance.

The statues would then be returned to the temples after the completion of the ritual.

Legends say fishermen in the area began the cleansing ritual more than a century ago after the town experienced a plague.

The tradition remains well and alive today, and was inscribed onto China's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2011.This year also marks the first water parade in Tai O since the completion of the twin bridges of Yim Tin Bridge and Po Chue Tam Bridge.

Spectators gathered in masses on the platforms to enjoy views of richly decorated dragon vessels passing through waters right beneath their feet.This woman said she has enjoyed the water parades since her youth.

While this mainland tourist said he's pleased to witness the gala being facilitated by such good weather, and hopes the tradition can be preserved.

This as better weather conditions initially led to hopes for improved business, but some shopkeepers said the overall business situation remains less than satisfactory.

This man noted the rising tide of consumption in the mainland largely dashed hopes for the local economy, and hopes the dragon boat parade could draw both locals and mainland visitors back to the city.