by Rachel Au

(Originally published September 24, 2020, updated on September 15, 2024)

An interesting sight appears every August in Hong Kong. Mooncake advertisements begin to line wall after wall at any given MTR train station, starring celebrities ranging from veteran comedian Eric Tsang to Japanese actress Alice Hirose. Such is the result of aggressive marketing campaigns by various Hong Kong bakeries, hoping to capture maximum market share during the sliver of time mooncakes are consumed – the Mid Autumn Festival. But what is the Mid Autumn Festival? Why do Chinese communities across the globe celebrate it with such enthusiasm? Here, we explore what the festival is and the legends behind it, each a story that has been passed down for generations.

What is the Mid Autumn Festival?

The Mid Autumn Festival is an ancient Chinese celebration of the full moon, family, and harvest. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth month in the lunar calendar, which is when the moon is at its biggest and brightest. On this day, families gather to feast on mooncakes, hang up lanterns, and admire the fullest moon of the year.

The History of the Mid Autumn Festival

The Mid Autumn Festival became an official celebration during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 CE). However, nobody knows for sure how and when it came about. Having said that, records show that Chinese communities have celebrated the harvest during the autumn full moon since the Shang dynasty (c. 1600 – 1046 BCE). Despite the festival’s origins in celebrating the autumn harvest, contemporary society places more emphasis on gathering and returning home, as the full moon symbolizes reunion in Chinese culture.

The Mid Autumn Festival in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, employees tend to get off work earlier on that day. This is such that they can head home and prepare for the evening feast. A typical Hong Kong Mid Autumn Festival celebration begins at dinnertime, when extended families gather under one roof and dine together. After dinner, families head to lantern carnivals at parks across the city for a light-filled moon-gazing session. Victoria Park is home to Hong Kong’s most popular Mid Autumn Lantern Carnival, welcoming massive camera-touting crowds every year.

Another Mid Autumn Festival tradition is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. Unique to Hong Kong, it began in the 19th century when Tai Hang villagers held the event to drive away bad luck. It has since made its way onto the national list of intangible cultural heritage. This year’s Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance will take place on September 16th to 18th. Learn more about the Fire Dragon Dance to prepare yourself for this exciting and unique celebration and see where to go for the best vantage point.

Stories behind the Mid Autumn Festival

Chang’e Flying to the Moon

The most widely-told Mid Autumn Festival story features Chang’e, the moon goddess. While Chang’e is associated with a number of varying myths, she is best known for stealing the elixir of immortality.

Legend has it that there used to be ten suns in the sky, which would scorch the earth and make lives insufferable. One day, a talented archer named Hou Yi decided he’d had enough. He shot down nine suns, leaving only one in the sky. As a reward, the goddess Xiwangmu presented Hou Yi with the elixir of immortality.

However, there was only enough elixir for one person, and Hou Yi did not want to become immortal if his wife, Chang’e, could not live with him for eternity. Because of this, Hou Yi chose to remain mortal and hid the elixir under his bed.

On the other hand, Chang’e had her eyes set on the elixir. That very night, she found her husband’s reward and drank every last drop. This caused her to drift towards the moon, where she finally settled. If you look hard enough, you might just be able to spot Chang’e’s likeness on the moon!

This tale is so well-known that China’s missions within its Lunar Exploration Program were named after the goddess, with the names Chang’e 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The Jade Rabbit

Another Mid Autumn Festival story starring a figure said to appear on the moon is the jade rabbit legend. The story begins with three immortals, who had disguised themselves as beggars. They were walking through a forest and begged a fox, a monkey, and a rabbit for food.

The fox and the monkey both went off to search for food and offered the immortals what they collected. However, the rabbit only knew how to gather grass. Having decided to offer itself instead, the rabbit jumped into a fire the immortals had prepared. The immortals were so touched by this gesture that they turned the rabbit into an immortal jade rabbit, and sent it to live on the moon.

The tale goes on to say that Chang’e liked the rabbit at first sight, and the two became inseparable friends. Upon hearing Chang’e’s story, the rabbit felt sympathetic and started making a potion that would help Chang’e return to earth. People say that the rabbit can still be seen on the moon’s surface, constantly pounding ingredients for the potion.

Zhu Yuanzhang and the Mooncake Uprising

This Mid Autumn Festival story is said to be why we eat mooncakes during the festival today.

In the late Yuan Dynasty (1271 – 1368 CE), the harsh rule of the Mongolian overlords prompted a nationwide rebellion. Zhu Yuanzhang, a rebel leader, wanted to launch an uprising on the night of the Mid Autumn Festival. However, it was very difficult to pass orders to fellow Chinese compatriots as government raids were intense.

To get past the government, Zhu’s advisor Liu Bowen came up with a plan. First, they would spread a rumor that a deadly plague was spreading, and the only way to be safe from it was to eat mooncakes on Mid Autumn Festival. Then they hid notes inside mooncakes that said “on mid autumn night, kill the rulers”, and distributed them to resistant forces.

The ploy was a success. Rebels killed the Mongol rulers and took over the Yuan capital – now known as Beijing – and that was the start of the Ming Dynasty.

Mooncakes have come a long way from being an instrument of revolt. Besides the traditional lotus seed paste and salted egg variety, bakeries have now created mooncakes with contemporary fillings ranging from ice cream to molten custard. Want to find out how mooncakes are made in an old-school Hong Kong bakery? Check out our blog post on that here!

Happy Mid Autumn Festival!

The post What is the Mid Autumn Festival? Here’s the story. appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

(Originally published in 2020, updated in September 2024)

Aside from being Hong Kong’s cradle for countless culinary ventures, Tai Hang is also home to one of the city’s most spectacular festivities– the annual Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. This Mid-Autumn Festival, treat yourself to a dazzling display of fire and fury, where around 300 people parade a 67-meter-long dragon lined with sticks of incense from head to tail, enshrouding the neighborhood in a warm, smoky glow.

How the fire dragon dance began

Legend has it that this 138-year-old tradition began when Tai Hang was struck with three consecutive disasters a few days before the Mid-Autumn Festival in the 19th century. Still a small Hakka village at the time, Tai Hang was hit by a typhoon, which swept away everything in its path. A plague then followed, taking with it many lives. After that, the ill-fated villagers were put to the test again when a python made a foray into the village, guzzling much of the villagers’ livestock.

A village elder proclaimed that the only way to stop this misfortune was to perform a fire dragon dance around the village for three days and three nights, as revealed to him by the Buddha in a dream. The villagers did what they were told and miraculously, the plague disappeared. The plague may be long gone (thankfully!), but the ritual is kept alive by Tai Hang’s residents every year without fail.

“Fire dragons sound cool, but I’m hungry.” Check out how mooncakes are made at a traditional 52-year-old bakery.

About the fire dragon

The legendary fire dragon is a majestic beast, 67 meters long and inserted with over 20 thousand incandescent incense sticks. The body consists of a hemp rope spine wrapped with pearl straw, while the 70-kg head is made by coiling pearl straw around a rattan frame. Two flashlights form the creature’s eyes while sheets of metal make up its teeth and tongue.

The dragon is led by two orbs of light called “dragon pearls”– two pomelos inserted with many sticks of incense, spun with vigor to create a brilliant display of twirling radiance.

Quick fact: The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance has been listed as a national Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2011.

What to expect

Lots and lots of people. The Fire Dragon Dance brings thousands of eager spectators to the narrow alleys of Tai Hang, so be warned that you’ll be squashed between sweaty skin and very energetic children.

The fire dragon dance will bring a frenetic buzz to the area. Tendrils of smoke wafting through the streets, sparks flying everywhere like fairy dust, blessing everything they land on with their magic. Besides the fire dragon dance, you’ll also be treated to marching bands and parades with adorable children dressed in traditional costumes.

When and where

We are so excited that Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance will once again be held in Hong Kong this year. For three evenings, starting from Monday, September 16th, the Fire Dragon Dance will commence at Wun Sha Street at around 7:30 pm, lasting till 10:30 pm for the first and last (September 18th) evening. On the night of Mid-Autumn Festival itself, September 17th, the Fire Dragon Dance will also start at 7:30 pm but at 10:30 pm, it will move to Victoria Park, continuing on for another hour till 11:30 pm. The festivities will extend to Tung Lo Wan Road this year. With lots to see, do expect a big crowd and plan to get there early to save a spot. The routes are different on each night but the best vantage point is on Wun Sha Street. If you cannot make it there in person, or just wanted to sit in the comfort of your own home without having to fight the crowds, there will also be live broadcast from Victoria Park. For more detailed information about this year’s Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, please check out Hong Kong Tourism Board’s website.

Featured image courtesy of Hong Kong Tourism Board, image 1, 2 and 3 courtesy of Lin IVY Chan via Wikimedia Commons.

The post The Fire Dragon Dance: Tai Hang’s Mid-Autumn Spectacle appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

Learn how to make moon cakes with Hong Kong Foodie! Let us bring you into the kitchen of a 58-year-old Chinese bakery in Sham Shui Po. The pastry chefs here are ramping up the production of moon cakes for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. If you are visiting in September, be sure to join us on our Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour for our annual moon cake tasting. You might even have a chance to experience the behind-the-scenes of moon cake making at this legendary Chinese bakery on our Foodie Tour! Here’s a sneak peek of what they do in their kitchen:

Prepare the moon cake crust

In this traditional Chinese bakery, the moon cake production is done by four chefs. The chef on the right in the back is preparing the dough for the crust. Traditional moon cake crust dough ingredients include all-purpose flour, butter, golden syrup and alkaline water.

Get the salted egg yolks ready

You do not have to dry and preserve your own salted egg yolks. You can easily buy them at local Chinese grocery stores. Salted egg yolks are the key ingredient in traditional moon cakes as they symbolize the full moon on the Mid-Autumn Festival evening.

Make your own lotus seed paste

Finding good quality lotus seeds is extremely important to the making of good moon cakes. As you can see in the picture, that mountain of lotus seed paste requires thousands of lotus seeds. After washing and cleaning the lotus seeds, a key step is to remove the stem in the heart of the lotus seeds as it would make the lotus seed bitter. Once you have that removed, you can go on to grind them into a paste and add sugar to it.

Assemble everything

To assemble the different ingredients together, first, you need to use a rolling pin to roll the crust dough such that it is thin and yet enough to hold all the filling. A good moon cake must be “crust thin filling good”, as the Chinese say. Secondly, you stuff one salted egg yolk in the lotus seed paste. In order to make sure each dough of the filling has the right amount, you need to measure on a scale and scrape off the excess lotus seed paste. Then use your fingers on both hands, skilfully press and turn the dough such that the crust can wrap around all the filling. Once you have the dough, put it in a moon cake mold and press it out. It is then ready to be baked! After baking for a few minutes, take them out and put a layer of egg wash such that the crust will have a golden brown color. Bake them a few more minutes and then it’s ready to be devoured!

Besides learning how to make moon cakes, are you interested in knowing the meaning of moon cakes behind Mid-Autumn Festival? Revisit our blog post to read more.

Moon Cake Tasting on Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour

Join us on our Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour between now and September 17th, 2024, for the moon cake tasting. The special tour held on the actual Mid-Autumn Festival day on Tuesday, September 17th, will be the highlight as you will experience locals going to the markets early and preparing for the family dinner in the evening to celebrate the festival. Book yourself and your friends and family on this Sham Shui Po Foodie Tour now!

To check out the festivities in Hong Kong during the Mid-Autumn Festival, visit Hong Kong Tourism Board’s website.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

The post Learn how to make moon cakes appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

1. Try your hand at making Nian Gao

Superstition and tradition are closely connected, especially with the food that is eaten during Chinese New Year. This is why Chinese people love eating steamed puddings, also known as “gao” in Mandarin and “go” in Cantonese (糕). In fact, one of the most popular puddings, “nian gao”, has made its way to become a Chinese New Year must-have in countries with significant Chinese communities, including Malaysia and Vietnam.

People love eating nian gao during Chinese New Year because nian gao is a homonym for “higher year”. “Nian” (年) means “year”, while “gao” (糕) sounds the same as the Chinese word for “high” (高). Put them together and you get the symbolism – reaching new heights every year.

However, store-bought nian gao is often quite expensive. This is because people rarely buy nian gao outside of Chinese New Year, so brands would try to reach for as much revenue as possible during that period. As we’re all spending more time at home this year, why not try your hand at making nian gao yourself? Check out tastehongkong’s recipe for coconut milk nian gao, and be sure to pan fry slices of it for a thin, crispy outside and a soft, chewy inside!

Don’t have much of a sweet tooth? You could also try making savory Chinese New Year favorites such as turnip cake or taro cake.

2. Learn essential Chinese New Year greetings

Visiting a Chinese friend’s family this Chinese New Year? Or do you simply want to find out more about Chinese culture? If you’ve answered yes to any of the above, definitely try learning some essential Chinese New Year greetings before the festivities begin.

Chinese New Year greetings are four-character phrases that wish people good luck, good fortune, good health and so on. These greetings are so ingrained in Chinese culture that in Hong Kong, kids would learn them in kindergarten. Oftentimes, aunts, uncles and other elder relatives would even quiz kids on these greetings before gifting them with lai see!

Teach yourself a couple of these Chinese New Year greetings with our handy guide, and impress your Chinese friends by greeting them with a few this year!

3. Watch a classic Hong Kong Chinese New Year film

Get festive by putting on a classic Hong Kong Chinese New Year film! As we’re all likely to stay at home this year thanks to the coronavirus, there has been no better time than to watch all these 80s and 90s comedies back to back. It is pretty much Hong Kong tradition for families to gather around the TV and chuckle at a Chinese New Year film together, as most, if not all of these films are comedies.

Topping the list of must-watch classics is All’s Well, Ends Well 家有囍事 (1992) starring Stephen Chow and Leslie Cheung, followed by It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World 富貴逼人 (1987), and Johnnie To’s The Eighth Happiness 八星報喜 (1988). The latter two are both available on Netflix, but All’s Well, Ends Well is not. Don’t worry though, this film has been shown every year by Hong Kong TV channels since its release nearly 30 years ago, so you’ll definitely get to watch it. Although we can’t celebrate with friends and family this year, we’re confident that putting on one of the films above will put you in a festive mood. 

4. Visit the Lunar New Year Flower Markets across Hong Kong

A visit to one of Hong Kong’s Lunar New Year flower markets is without a doubt, one of the most important traditions of preparing for Chinese New Year. Open until New Year’s Eve, flower markets are scattered across the city, offering row after row of plants and flowers.

Hong Kongers love snapping up orchids for abundance, tangerine trees for prosperity, and daffodils for good fortune. However, flower markets this year will look very different. Under the impact of the pandemic, the government has slashed the number of stalls by half and will require stall owners to present negative COVID test results. The government has also brought in crowd control measures and will require visitors to collect an entry ticket before entering the markets. Still, we think that a visit to one of the Lunar New Year flower markets is a tradition everyone in Hong Kong must experience. Just be sure to stay safe!

More about the Lunar New Year flower markets:

Opening hours: 9am to 12am daily, from February 6th to 11th
Location: Across Hong Kong, but the two larger flower markets are at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay and Fa Hui Park in Mong Kok
How to get an entry ticket: Download The Gulu app to collect a digital ticket, or visit the markets in person to collect a ticket at a nearby ticket booth

5. Check out Chinese New Year displays around Hong Kong

Featuring whimsical lanterns, interactive digital games and a homage to traditional craftsmanship, this year’s Chinese New Year displays are fantastic for photos with your family and friends. You’ll find these displays around major shopping areas in Hong Kong, but our favorites are the displays at Lee Tung Avenue, Pacific Place, and the Landmark Atrium.

Unfortunately for this year, there are quite a few classic Chinese New Year events that have been cancelled. However, we’ve put together a list of them below, so that you’ll know what you can look forward to next year!

Chinese New Year’s Eve: Praying for new year blessings at Wong Tai Sin Temple
First day of Chinese New Year: Cathay Pacific Chinese New Year Night Parade
Second day of Chinese New Year: Annual Lunar New Year Fireworks Display, praying for luck at the Che Kung Temple
During the first few days of Chinese New Year: Making a wish at Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree

Despite all that’s been happening the past year, we have faith in the Year of the Ox! Have a happy Chinese New Year ahead!

The post Things to Do In Hong Kong During Chinese New Year 2021 appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

Also known as Tuen Neen Fan (團年飯) or reunion dinner, this feast is eaten the night before the first day of the Chinese New Year, and is when the entire family gathers to conclude the year together before a new beginning. The Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner plays a significant role in Chinese culture, and is one of the traditional events Chinese communities worldwide look forward to most.

However, Chinese New Year’s Eve is going to look quite different this year. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the globe, Chinese families will likely have to cancel Tuen Neen Fan plans for the sake of keeping their loved ones and communities safe. Still, the spirit of reunion lives on, even if it’s over a Zoom group call.

Be a part of embracing the spirit of reunion by learning about the symbolism behind the dishes served at Tuen Neen Fan. Besides chicken, fish, and tongyuen (glutinous rice dumplings), which are also eaten at Chinese Winter Solstice Dinners, here are a few of the most widely-eaten dishes at Chinese New Year’s Eve dinners.

Braised mushrooms, dried scallops with black moss and lettuce.

1. Prawns

Chinese families love having prawns at their Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner because prawns symbolize laughter and happiness (the Chinese word for prawns (蝦) is pronounced ha in Cantonese). For festivities, the bigger the prawns, the better. Think tiger prawns stir-fried in soy sauce and chopped spring onions, or even tossed in rich, buttery salted egg-yolk.

2. Pig’s trotters

Serving pig’s trotters are believed to bring wealth to families as the Chinese term for pig’s trotters represents a lucky saying (橫財就手) that wishes people good fortune. Whole pig’s trotters are cut into smaller chunks and stewed in savory sauces, often with mushrooms or lotus root. The chunks are absolutely delicious when done well, sticky and gelatinous and tender– the perfect accompaniment to a warm bowl of rice.

3. Black moss

If you ever attend a Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner, it’s highly likely that you will be served a brown-hued stew of funny-looking ingredients, including one that looks like a mass of thin, black hair. This ingredient is actually black moss, which is found in the Gobi desert and often mistaken as a form of seaweed. Named fat choi (髮菜) in Chinese, its name is homophonic with the phrase fat choi (發財), which means making a fortune.

4. Dried oysters

Dried oysters are named ho see in Chinese (蠔豉), which sounds very similar to the phrase for good business (好事, pronounced ho see as well). These little morsels are small but pack a punch. Usually thrown into stews with black moss, they add a lot of umami and a delicious brininess to any dish.

5. Lettuce

Lettuce is often tucked under the black moss and dried oyster stew, soaking up all the yummy goodness and adding texture to the dish. The Chinese name for lettuce is sang choi (生菜), which sounds like the phrase for making money (生財), and is therefore served at Chinese New Year dinner for good fortune in the new year ahead.

Celebrate the coming Year of the Ox by making your own Black moss and dried oyster stew! A big feast might not be possible at your Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner in 2021, but you can still make these dishes for those who live with you. Here’s to a brighter, healthier Chinese New Year ahead!

The post Chinese New Year’s Eve Dinner (Tuen Neen Fan) appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

by Rachel Au

Chinese New Year falls on February 12 in 2021. With the biggest holiday in Chinese culture just around the corner, it’s time to equip yourself with some Chinese New Year greetings to impress your friends and family! Here is our selection of the ten essential greetings you need to know. Learn to say these Chinese New Year greetings in Cantonese with the pronunciations provided!

1. 恭喜發財 Gong Hei Faat Choy

2. 新年快樂 Sun Nin Fai Lok

Pronunciation: sun nin fai lok

Meaning: Happy new year

More about it: “sun nin fai lok” can be said to anyone, at any time during Chinese New Year. An extremely versatile Chinese New Year greeting, it can be said just as you would say “Happy New Year” to people.

Looking for things to do in Chinese New Year in Hong Kong? Check our our list here for some ideas!

3. 學業進步 Hok Yip Jun Bou

Pronunciation: hok yip jun bou

Meaning: Improvement in studies

More about it: If you’re looking for a Chinese New Year greeting to say to students, look no further. “Hok yip jun bou” will give them all the blessings they need to do better at school, and perhaps even get straight As!

4. 快高長大 Fai Gou Jeung Dai

Pronunciation: fai gou jeung dai

Meaning: Grow taller and bigger quickly

More about it: Know a kid who just can’t wait to grow taller? Greet them with “fai gou jeung dai” and they’ll thank you for your blessings!

5. 大吉大利 Dai Gut Dai Lei

Pronunciation: dai gut dai lei

Meaning: Good luck and may things go smoothly

More about it: This greeting is often seen accompanied by images of tangerines, as the second character “gut” (吉) means tangerines, besides luck. Another versatile and popular Chinese New Year greeting, “dai gut dai lei” is one of the easiest to write among Chinese New Year greetings! Try your hand at writing Chinese New Year greetings starting with 大吉大利.

6. 年年有餘 Nin Nin Yau Yu

Pronunciation: nin nin yau yu

Meaning: Surplus year after year

More about it: “nin nin yau yu” can be said to anyone, but is most often used to greet families. This greeting explains why Chinese people love serving fish at festive dinners– the pronunciations for fish (魚) and surplus (餘) are very similar.

7. 生意興隆 Saang Yi Hing Lung

Pronunciation: saang yi hing lung

Meaning: Flourishing business

More about it: Have friends or family who are business owners? Greet them with “saang yi hing lung” this Chinese New Year for the good luck they need for their business to flourish!

8. 龍馬精神 Lung Ma Jing Sun

Pronunciation: lung ma jing sun

Meaning: As full of energy as a horse

More about it: “Lung ma jing sun” is often used to greet the elderly at Chinese New Year to bless them with energy and vigour despite their old age. Any elderly person would love to be greeted with this– it might just be your ticket to receiving lai see (利是, red envelopes containing money)!

9. 出入平安 Chut Yup Ping On

Pronunciation: chut yup ping on

Meaning: Peace and safety when travelling

More about it: If you have family or friends going on vacation soon, you can greet them with “chut yup ping on” to bless them with peace and safety on their travels.

10. 心想事成 Sum Seung Si Sing

Pronunciation: sum seung si sing

Meaning: Whatever the heart desires will happen

More about it: People with a dream or wishes they want to come true would love to be greeted with “sum seung si sing”. It could be the motivation someone in your family needs to work towards their dreams!

Try out these Chinese New Year greetings the coming Chinese New Year! Be prepared with a few of them which may bring you some luck in getting more red pockets this new year!

You may also be interested in our other Chinese New Year-related articles:

Things to Do in Hong Kong During Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year’s Eve Dinner (Tuen Neen Fan)

Five Favorite Chinese New Year Pudding

Sun nin fai lok!

The post Chinese New Year Greetings in Cantonese: 10 Essential Ones to Know appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

What is the Double Ninth Festival (重陽節)?

Also called the Chung Yeung Festival and Chongyang Festival, the Double Ninth Festival is an ancient memorial festival that falls on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar. In 2020, the Double Ninth Festival falls on the 25th October in the Greogorian calendar.

On this day, families visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects. People also go hiking together as heading to higher ground symbolizes climbing to a higher position in life and living longer. Chrysanthemums are also ubiquitous on the Double Ninth Festival, as the Festival takes place when the flowers are in full bloom. Drinking chrysanthemum wine and admiring chrysanthemums have thus become part of the day’s celebrations.

Go hiking with your family and friends this Double Ninth Festival! Check out our guides on short and scenic hiking trails and five hikes that are perfect for cooler weather.

Besides Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan, the festival is also observed in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

Do not confused the Double Ninth Festival with the Ching Ming Festival (清明節)! The latter, which is also a day to commemorate ancestors, takes place in the third month of the lunar calendar.

Why is it called the Chung Yeung Festival?

In the I-Ching, the number nine is considered a “yang”, ie. masculine, integer. The first two characters of the festival, “Chung Yeung” (重陽), literally translate into “double masculinity”. As the Festival falls on the ninth day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar, it was named the Chung Yeung Festival.

The origin of the Double Ninth Festival

There are a few legends associated with the origin of the Double Ninth Festival. A popular one goes like this:

In the Eastern Han dynasty (25 – 220 CE), a demonic presence from a nearby river brought illness and death to villagers in Runan country. (Runan is a region in today’s central Chinese province of Henan.) One of the villagers was a young man named Heng Jing. As Heng Jing had lost his parents to the disease, he vowed to slay the demon. To achieve that, he decided to seek the help of a sage named Fei Chang-fang. As Fei lived high up in the mountains, Heng left his village and began his journey uphill.

The sage gifted Heng with a magical sword that had demon-vanquishing powers and taught him how to use the weapon. Heng practised day and night, and eventually became a skilled swordsman.

One day, Fei told Heng that the demon was going to return on the ninth day of the ninth month, and advised Heng to return home to lead his people to safety. Fei armed Heng with a bag of dogwood leaves and chrysanthemum wine, and Heng set off.

When the fateful day arrived, Heng led his family and fellow villages up a nearby mountain. To shield them against the demon, he equipped everyone with dogwood leaves, and gave everyone some chrysanthemum wine to drink, as both had protective powers.

As the demon emerged from the river, Heng swiftly killed it with Fei’s magical sword. From then onwards, the ninth day of the ninth month became a day to commemorate this event. This story is also why chrysanthemum wine and dogwood are still part of the Double Ninth Festival’s celebrations today.

The Double Ninth Festival in Hong Kong

The Double Ninth Festival is better known as the Chung Yeung Festival (重陽節) in Hong Kong. The day is a public holiday in the city. If the Festival falls on a Sunday, like in 2020, it is followed by an additional day of holiday on Monday.

The Festival coincides with the start of the hiking season in Hong Kong, as the stifling summer heat gives way to the cooler weather of fall. In a nod to tradition, families usually spend the day hiking or visiting the graves of ancestors. Interestingly, hill fires tend to occur more often on Chung Yeung Festival than on any other day of the year in Hong Kong. This is often due to the dry weather and increased burning of incense during ancestor worship.

Find out how our founder Cecilia and her family celebrates the Chung Yeung Festival here!

On the other hand, the Hong Kong government holds an official ceremony every year on the day to commemorate those who died defending Hong Kong in the Second World War. The chief executive, senior officials, and mainland government groups are among the many attendees at the ceremony, which takes place at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden. Due to COVID-19 concerns, it is still uncertain whether this year’s ceremony will take place as usual.

Interested in learning more about traditional Chinese festivals? Check out our blog posts on the Mid Autumn Festival and the Cheung Chau Bun Festival!

The post What is the Double Ninth Festival or the Chung Yeung Festival? appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

Most westerners anticipate sweet and sticky confections when they hear the word cake or pudding, so it will come as a bit of a shock to find that not all Chinese New Year Puddings are sweet, and some of the favorite “cakes” are savory dim-sum type foods, with just an element of sweetness. Let’s have a closer look at some of the Chinese New Year puddings you can expect to find in restaurants across Hong Kong and in Chinatowns worldwide.

1. Nin Gou

This is probably the most definitive Chinese New Year Cake (and this one is a “proper” cake by western standards, featuring plenty of sugar and no savory elements). The cake is a delicious mixture of glutinous rice flour, corn flour, sugar and coconut milk which is steamed in a wok (or steaming oven) and then decorated with dried dates and sesame seeds. The cake is traditionally left to firm up for a few days and then sliced, dipped in beaten egg and fried in a pan to produce a delicious crispy crust. Of course, if you just can’t wait you can eat it straight from the steamer!

2. Turnip Pudding 

Popular year round, turnip pudding is made using grated Chinese white turnip (diakon), rice and wheat flours, Chinese dried sausage and seasonings. The “cake” is steamed in a cake tin in the wok or a steamer oven and then cooled for several hours before being sliced and fried on both sides until crispy. It is delicious served with sweet chili sauce, XO sauce or just a drop of soy sauce.

3. Water Chestnut Cake

Although it is widely available as a sweet dim sum all year round, when the Lunar New Year approaches many of us like to make our own home-made version as part of the festivities. Once again it is a sweet steamed cake made with water chestnut flour, corn flour, sugar, water and fresh or canned water chestnuts. This is a fragrant and delicate cake that can be sliced and served warm or cooled and then lightly fried.

4. Taro Cake

Another pudding which is also eaten all year round, it is very popular at Chinese New Year. This delicious savory “cake” is made with taro yams, dried shitake mushrooms and Chinese dried sausages. It is seasoned with dried shrimp, five-spice powder and a little chicken stock and then steamed in the wok or steamer oven and served hot. If you have any left-over cake (unlikely!) you can slice it and fry for a delicious snack.

5. Dates Pudding

It is a sweet Chinese New Year treat made with Chinese red dates (aka jujubes) and chestnut flour. It is also steamed and served sliced, garnished with a red date.

A big bonus is that most of these delicious Chinese New Year treats contain no wheat flour and are suitable for people on a gluten-free diet.

Celebrate and let your bellies be filled with lots of delicious food. Hong Kong Foodie wishes everyone a healthy and happy Year of the Rat!

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Photo credit: Rachel Au

Dragon Boat Racing

There is no sport more colorful, more exciting, more laden with culture and tradition than dragon boat racing. Imagine thumping drums, deafening chants, and billowing flags – these all accompany this adrenaline-packed sport at every race.

Contrary to popular belief, dragon boat races aren’t only held on Tuen Ng Festival. The racing season in Hong Kong actually lasts from early April to late November, until the weather gets a little too cold for an entire day out in open water. Don’t assume that teams get to rest over the chillier months. The city’s dragon boaters take advantage of the winter months to gain the upper hand over their competitors. There’s no other way to win than continue training in 12°C weather amidst bone-chilling winds while rivals sleep away under their down comforters.

There are two main types of races in Hong Kong: public races and fishermen races. Public races include the famous Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships held every Tuen Ng Festival, and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races in mid-June. These races are open to the public. Anyone could form a team and sign up.

On the other hand, fishermen races, also known as private boat races, are by invitation only. These events were originally held amongst fishermen clans, and exclusive to family and friends of fishermen. Today, these teams are still led by fisherfolk, but are more open to having the public join their teams.

Ask any dragon boater and they will tell you that fishermen races are way more exciting compared to public races, despite being lesser-known. These races resemble boat parties more than anything else. Along the shores of Po Toi Island or Aberdeen or Cheung Chau, fleets of fishing boats hold teams and their families. Everyone is invited, from toddlers to grandparents to pregnant ladies. Teams go through endless crates of beer and feast on nibbles cooked on the boat by the ladies of the clans. Dishing out curry fish balls, Thai squid salad and grass jelly, these ladies only hope that their athletes will be energized and prepared to win every race.

Right before a race, athletes clamber down the side of their fishing boat onto their dragon boat. Unlike fiberglass boats used in public races, these dragon boats are all tailor-made, wooden beauties. Want a smoother glide? Your boat can be made narrower. Prefer plunging paddles deeper into the water? Your boat will be equipped with lower sides. It is not uncommon for a team to spend over a hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars on a dragon boat.

Superstition once dictated that women were forbidden to touch dragon boats, let alone compete in them. Times have since changed. Women’s and mixed races are now almost as common as men’s races. Another interesting superstition is that one must not touch the dragon’s head of a competitor’s boat, lest it bring bad luck to both teams.

Dragon boat racing is an incredibly demanding sport itself. Learn about paddling in SCMP’s illustrated article, or read about the sport’s history in our piece about the Tuen Ng Festival. Be sure to check out the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships on 7th July 2019 and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races from 14-16 June 2019!

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Today, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, we celebrate Spring Lantern Festival or “Yuan Xiao” (元宵) in Chinese. This marks the first full moon of the new year and is a time to let go of the past year to welcome in the new one. It also marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Chinese Lantern Festival is also known as “Chinese Valentine’s Day”. In addition to enjoying the lanterns, it is also a time for families and friends to spend time together.

Spring Lantern Festival Traditions

Whilst the festival today appears as a blaze of color, lights, and large crowds, behind this there are some strong traditions kept alive. It is believed that the festival originated during the Han Dynasty, around 2000 years ago. At this time the emperor would decorate his palace with lanterns and invite people to view these to celebrate the new year.

Over time, the tradition spread to the wealthy, and eventually, to everyone! Along with this, decorations and celebrations became increasingly elaborate. For a long time, there has been a lovely tradition of riddle solving involved, where the young would try and solve amusing riddles tied to the lanterns. You can still see this happening – if you know what to look for!

No celebration is complete in Chinese culture without food. Today we eat glutinous rice dumplings or “tang yuan” (湯圓). They are sticky rice balls with sweet fillings. Make sure to try a few different flavors, such as sesame or peanut. You may find other more creative variety as well!

Where to celebrate Lantern Festival in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a great place to be when it comes to festival time. To celebrate the Lantern Festival, the city has been decorated with spectacular displays of many colorful lanterns. The main exhibition of lanterns is by the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, centered on the plaza near the Hong Kong Cultural Center. Every evening from January 25th to February 24th, lanterns are lit up from 6 pm to 11 pm, attracting many who want to capture beautiful shots! Lanterns take on all sorts of different styles here, some can be quite innovative. This year’s theme is “Blooming Love of the Phoenixes”, featuring two beautiful phoenixes lurking high up in the sky.

Join in on the Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival 2019 tonight from 7:30 to 10 pm. In addition to the gorgeous lantern display, the carnival also showcases traditional arts, folk music and ethnic dance. Don’t miss the circus performance by Hong Kong Circus as well as the erhu & electric violin performance. Also participate in the quiz on anecdotes and lantern riddles. For more details, visit here.

If you are in the New Territories, you can also check out the lantern display and carnival at Tin Shui Wai Park & Ginza Square or North District Park.

Lunar New Year Lantern Carnival Details

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza: https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/common/images/2019/09/nylc.jpg

Tin Shui Wai Park & Ginza Square: https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/common/images/2019/09/ntw.jpg

North District Park: https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/common/images/2019/09/nte.jpg

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