Every spring, the peaceful island of Cheung Chau transforms into a dynamic stage for one of Hong Kong’s most exuberant cultural spectacles: the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. Originally rooted in local fishermen’s prayers for resilience against piracy and plague, this festival has evolved into a vibrant communal event that attracts both locals and visitors alike.
The festival’s iconic “bun-snatching” tradition showcases expert coordination and daring athleticism. Participants compete to climb the towering bun-covered structures—now reinforced with steel for safety—and collect as many buns as possible. These buns, symbolic of blessings and well-being, were once inaccessible to most and have become the sought-after highlights of the event.
Official support and strict safety regulation lend authority and trust to the festival’s execution. From safety protocols that replaced bamboo scaffolds with steel to permit systems for climbers, organizers continuously modernize the tradition without compromising its cultural integrity. Such institutional support reinforces both the authenticity and legitimacy of the Bun Festival as a living heritage event in Hong Kong’s calendar
