Enormous bamboo towers studded with white chinese bun and effigies of three gods dominate the grounds near the Pak Tai Temple, where the main festivities take place. The festival that lasts for about a week climaxes with a large, colourful street procession, which features costumed children on stilts in a carnival atmosphere that winds its way through the streets.

Other than the annual Bun Festival, there are other wonderful sightseeing attractions on tiny Cheung Chau to enjoy such as the beaches, temples and quaint back alleys. More>>

One of the reputed origins of this popular festival, which attracts tourists by the tens of thousands each year, involves a plague on the island hundreds of years ago. Villagers disguised themselves as different deities and walked around the island to drive away the evil spirits responsible for the plague. Another story says the festival is part of an annual exorcism and fast.

In the past, the last event of this weeklong celebration was the climbing of the bun towers. Athletes would scamper up the bamboo bun towers and grab as many buns as possible. The buns would then be sold or distributed to those who did not join in the competition. This ritual was abandoned in 1978, but was resumed again.

Join a Bun Festival Tour to enjoy this colourful festival.