Tin Hau Temple in Saikung
The Tin Hau Festival in Hong Kong is one of the most colorful celebrations taking place during the year at Tin Hau temples throughout the territory.
Tin Hau is the Goddess of the Sea, given that in the past Hong Kong's livelihood was tied to the ocean, Tin Hau is sort of the "patron saint" of the city.
Specially among the fishing villages you can imagine these celebrations bring out the festive mood of the communities and are a a riot of color and lively remembrance in remembrance of this most honored deity.
Tin Hau's Birthday is celebrated on the 23rd day of the 3rd month in the Lunar Calendar which normally falls in April or May in the Western calendar. In 2024, it will be on May 1st, 2024.
Dragon Dances in Yuen Long
There are over 60 Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong all scattered throughout so joining in the festivities will not be a problem. Even the smallest of the small Tin Hau Temple will be having some celebration going on.
Some of the liveliest celebrations you will find around the islands and fishing villages where boats are colorfully decorated and are a great part of the revelry.
Tin Hau Temple in Peng Chau Island
The celebrations include parades loaded with kung fu troupes, marching bands, lots of drumming, lion and dragon dances, the Fa Pau floats...
Fa Paus are beautiful towers adorned with paper floral tributes and are unique during the Tin Hau Festival to honor the Goddess of the Sea.
There is also the usual feasts and offerings, in the coastal areas the boat processions, paper and incense burning and of course firecrackers.
Some of the most vibrant and notorious celebrations are in Yuen Long in the New Territories which throws a magnificent procession and also the festivities in Joss House Bay in Saikung which boasts the largest Tin Hau temple in Hong Kong.
Other notable celebrations take place in Tsing Yi, Stanley, Lamma Island, Cheung Chau and Peng Chau Islands.
Tin Hau Celebrations in Hong Kong 2024
The Yuen Long Tin Hau Festival Procession
In the New Territories, one of the largest events takes place at Yuen Long and it's definitely worth a trip.
The Parade from Fung Cheung Road to Tai Shu Ha Tin Hau Temple is one of the most spectacular and eye-catching, with hundreds of participants, dragon and lion dances, and fantastic floats dedicated to Tin Hau.
Without a doubt, the Procession and Fa Pau Parade with a whole array of lion and dragon dances, marching bands and cultural performances is one of the most colorful ones in the territory:
The 2024 Birthday of Tin Hau Parade and Celebrations in Yuen Long will take place:
When?: May 1st, 2024
Where?: The parade sets off from Fung Cheung Road around 10:00 am and proceed via Kau Yuk Road and arrive at the Yuen Long Stadium.
First groups start arriving at the stadium around 11:00 am. After performances at the stadium the troupes of Lion and Dragon Dancers and floats continue to the Tai Shu Ha Tin Hau Temple to pay respects to Tin Hau where the procession ends.
The parade lasts about 3 hours.
The exact route of the parade could change but you will see the barricades along the parade route.
The Fa Pau Raffle at the Tin Hau Temple in Tai Shu Ha takes place around 2:00 - 3:00 pm
How to Get There: It's about a 35 minute ride with the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui. To get there take the West Rail Line (Magenta Line) from Tsim Sha Tsui East direction Tuen Mun and get off at the Yuen Long station in the New Territories then follow the crowds.
More Info: HKTB Events and Cultural Celebrations and Yuen Long Hong Kong site https://www.yl.hk/th-temple/
The Joss House Bay, Saikung Tin Hau Festival Celebrations
Saikung is a pretty coastal town to visit, festival or not, for its splendid promenade, seafood market and restaurants, and during Tin Hau celebrations, it really goes all out. The Tin Hau Temple in Joss House Bay is the oldest in Hong Kong. There will be the processions, lion and dragon dances, ceremonies and hundreds of worshippers that come and pay their respects.
The 2024 Birthday of Tin Hau Celebrations in Joss House Bay will take place:
When?: May 1st, 2024
Where?: Joss House Bay and all around the Tin Hau Temple
How to Get There: Easiest way to get to Joss House Bay is with the ferry from the North Point Ferry pier in Hong Kong Island.
The ride takes 40 minutes and during the
celebrations, the ferry operates additional special holiday sailings. Round trip Adult Fare is HK$60. Senior, child and disabled HK$30.
Additional sailings are provided by Sun Ferry during the festival. Ferry tickets are available for sale on-site at North Point Pier (only round-trip ticket) and Joss House Bay Pier (only single-trip ticket to North Point). Passengers with the ferry ticket/Octopus record (if applicable) of departing from Joss House Bay to North Point can enjoy a free single trip from North Point to Hung Hom or to Kowloon City during the operating hours of the concerned ferry routes on the same day.
More Info: For more info and detail ferry schedule check out the First Ferry site.
You can also take the MTR: MTR Po Lam Station, Exit A2, take minibus 16 (Po Lam to Po Toi O) to The Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, then follow the signs and walk for about 10 minutes down the nearby steps
Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong
And even if you don't happen to be in Hong Kong during any major celebration, a visit to any of the Tin Hau Temples will give you a glimpse at the traditions so embedded in this modern metropolis and since Tin Hau temples are so prolific, chances are there is one very near where you stay.
You will find them tucked in some narrow alley in all the neighborhoods. One of the easiests, specially if you will be visiting the Temple Street Night Market, is the Yau Ma Tei Tin Hau Temple, which like most of them might not look like much from the outside, but you might be pleasantly surprised once you are inside...
The peaceful serenity is quite welcome...
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