Hung Shing Cultural Festival kicks off at Ap Lei Chau
發佈日期: 2026-03-15 21:32
TVB News
The two-week-long Ap Lei Chau Hung Shing Cultural Festival officially kicked off today.
Scores of revellers could be seen enjoying the traditional parade earlier this afternoon.
Devotees began their journey at 2 p.m. departing from Ap Lei Chau's Hung Shing Temple before making their way to other nearby shrines.
Carrying figurines of folk deities including Guanyin and Tin Hau seated on traditional sedan chairs, the extravagant parade attracted an increasing number of onlookers.
Mr. Tian, a visitor from Shandong Province, said he participated in the traditional event twice in the past.
He said there are far fewer religious activities like this in Northern China, and that he really enjoys the atmosphere of the religious culture that's still very much alive in the southern part of the country.
This Ap Lei Chau resident hopes the tradition will be carried on for generations to come, stressing that it's an integral part of the city's identity.
Having reached the pier, members of the parade boarded a vessel that departed from Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter, taking the gala to sea.
The figurines of the gods were then escorted to the Hung Shing Temple, where they were worshipped alongside the namesake deity of the shrine.
Hung Shing, often called "the god of the South Sea", was deified by local fishermen who view him as a bringer of peace to the household, good weather and great catch of fish.
The deity's birthday is celebrated on the 13th day of the second month every lunar year, with the Hung Shing Cultural Festival having been listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in the city since 2014.
This as locals of Ap Lei Chau have celebrated the festival for well over a century.
Meanwhile, those who wish to participate in the event can expect dragon boat performances, parades and water lantern events in the coming two weeks.
