(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.

Food is seen as a form of medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). What we eat serves to harmonize our bodies, minds, and spirits. Ancient Chinese medical practitioners discovered that our dietary requirements change with the seasons, as our bodies’ needs differ depending on the weather and climate.

In fall, the cool and dry weather affects our lungs the most, as it is the uppermost organ and especially vulnerable to the wind and cold. If you’ve been coughing, wheezing, or experiencing a sore throat more often than usual during fall, it may be due to weakening lungs. To make sure your lungs and body are at their healthiest despite the autumn weather, check out our list of 10 foods to eat in fall.

1. Snake soup

As a Cantonese saying goes, “When the autumn wind rises, three snakes fatten up.” (秋風起，三蛇肥。) People in Southeast China, in which Hong Kong is located, love having snake soup in fall. One of the reasons is that this thousand-year-old Chinese delicacy is considered a remedy for migraines and arthritis caused by the damp wind from the southern Chinese coast. Another reason is that snakes tend to before hibernation, so they’re at their most nutritious during fall and winter.

If you find your hands and feet getting cold often during the cooler months, snake soup might be just what you need. According to traditional Chinese medicine, snake soup is a “hot” food. “Hot” foods warm the body, helping you fight the winter chills. Chinese medical practitioners also recommend snake soup for the weak and anemic as it boosts energy and improves blood circulation. This is why snake soup isn’t eaten during spring or summer– it is too warm and intense for the body during those warmer months.

Most people say snake meat tastes like chicken, but that’s up to you to decide! Want to judge for yourself? You can try snake soup at a classic snake shop on our Tai Po Market Foodie Tour, now available for private booking upon request! Don’t have enough time to venture to the suburbs of Hong Kong? We can also arrange a Private Foodie Tour in Central where we can visit a 180-year-old snake restaurant as part of our customized private food tour in Hong Kong. For more details, simply send us an email at tickets@hongkongfoodietours.com or WhatsApp us at +852 9223 7466.

2. Snow fungus

Also known as snow ear or white fungus, the snow fungus is virtually tasteless. It is often used in soups for its many health benefits and silky, crunchy texture. This delicate fungus is a fantastic food to eat in fall because it nourishes and hydrates the body – the skin especially.

East Asian women have long consumed snow fungus for the wonders it does for the skin. As far back as the Tang dynasty, concubine Yang Guifei (713 – 756 CE) – one of China’s famed four great beauties — is said to have credited this miracle mushroom with maintaining her youthful looks. Hate how the dry autumn breeze dehydrates your skin? Snow fungus helps to boost skin hydration when eaten or applied topically, keeping wrinkles at bay. It has even acquired quite the buzz in the Western world these days, popping up as an active ingredient in new skincare products such as Moon Juice’s Beauty Shroom Plumping Jelly Serum.

3. Persimmon

Persimmons are incredibly popular among east Asian communities in fall. You will see them at every Chinese family’s dining table when the Mid Autumn Festival comes around, as the fruit is in season and symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. Persimmons are also popular around fall because they offer benefits much needed to combat the cool and dry weather. These shiny orange globes of sweetness moisturize the lungs, relieve coughs, and promote the production of body fluids, helping to keep our bodies hydrated despite the weather.

But what is the Mid Autumn Festival? Find out more about this ancient Chinese harvest festival here!

4. Pomelo

Pomelos are another fruit often eaten during the Mid Autumn Festival. Chinese families love carving open a plump pomelo after the Mid Autumn Festival dinner and sharing the lustrous segments with everyone in the family. Coincidentally, fall is peak pomelo season, meaning that pomelos are at their sweetest and juiciest at this time of the year. Pomelos are also a great fruit to eat in fall because they help to nourish the lungs, relieve coughs, and hydrate our bodies during the drier months.

5. Apple

Traditional Chinese Medicine stands by the practice of eating with the seasons. With fall being peak apple season, apples are at their best during these few months. 

Fall is also the season when the humidity begins to drop. To help fight the effects of dryness on our bodies, our diets need to assist the production of body fluids and their lubrication effects for our bodies. The tartness of apples stimulate the production of fluids, helping to moisten and nourish the lungs.

A popular Chinese remedy for the autumn dryness is a soup made with apples, pears, pork, and snow fungus. We ourselves also love this soup for its fruity and comforting sweetness.

6. Pear

Besides apples, pears are also a popular choice in TCM to lubricate the lungs in fall. Pears are considered a cooling food, helping to dissolve phlegm and relieve coughs. A popular Chinese remedy for coughs is braised pears with rock sugar, which is said to nourish the lungs and the respiratory system. However, as pears are cool in nature, Chinese medical practitioners believe that the elderly should refrain from eating too much of them.

7. Eggplant

An ancient Chinese proverb says, “Sow eggplants at the start of summer, and eat them at the start of fall.” (立夏栽茄子，立秋吃茄子。) As the beginning of fall tends to be hot and dry, eggplants are a perfect remedy as its cooling properties help our bodies fight the dry heat. What’s more– eggplants harvested in fall are also said to be sweeter and more tender!

8. Lily bulb

You might plant lily bulbs for their stunning flowers, but did you know that you could eat them too? Lily bulbs offer tremendous health benefits when used in soups and stir fries. Highly regarded in TCM, this ingredient retains hydration in the body, calms the nerves, nourishes the lungs and relieves coughs. Try some this fall to soothe the effects of the dry autumn weather!

9. Lotus root

According to TCM, lotus root helps to hydrate the body, improve digestion, and nourish the lungs. Despite being available all year round, the lotus root season is actually in fall, so seize your chance to grab some while they’re still at their peak!

10. Honey

There is no question about the wonders of honey. Humans have been using this anti-inflammatory, antioxidant miracle cure for its many benefits since ancient times. Traditional Chinese medicine also touts the advantages of honey, especially to combat the autumn dryness. This liquid gold aids digestion, nourishes the lungs, relieves coughs and much more, making it one of the best foods to eat in fall.

Now that you’re an expert on what to eat in fall, check out our blog post on what to eat in winter according to traditional Chinese medicine!

The post What to Eat in Fall According to Traditional Chinese Medicine appeared first on Hong Kong Foodie.

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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