Bun Tower Thrills & Island Chills: Family Fun in Cheung Chau!

  

Must Visit!

Cheung Chau, located in the New Territories—the largest region of Hong Kong—offers a refreshing contrast to the bustling city. With its lush parks, ancient villages, and serene monasteries, it’s a treasure trove for nature and history enthusiasts. With family & Friends we recently attended the vibrant Bun Festival on its second day, and it was an unforgettable experience, especially for our child.

This three-day festival, which coincides with Buddha’s Birthday, transforms the island into a vegetarian paradise. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by an array of delicious vegetarian food options, including colorful fruit buns that our little one couldn’t get enough of. The atmosphere was alive with lion dances, dragon dances, drums and street games, making it a feast for the senses.

Transport to Cheung Chau was a breeze; we took the ferry from Central Pier 5, (Sun Ferry Timetable)  but there’s also a route from Mui Wo. From Central, it took us 60 mins in slow ferry however there is option of fast ferry which takes just 35 mins to reach the island. We noticed some small boats that seemed to offer rides, but we didn’t have the language skills to inquire about them—definitely something to consider if you’re planning to use them (They are called - Sampans)

The highlight of our visit was - Bun Festival!  watching the Bun Tower, where locals scramble to grab as many buns as possible. It was thrilling to see the excitement and a great way to explain the festival's significance to our child. You could either walk or cycle around the island. We chose to walk, as it was quite crowded for festival. We loved visiting the historic Pak Tai Temple, built in 1783. This temple is a focal point during the festival, where people come to seek blessings from Pak Tai, the sea divinity believed to protect the islanders. More about historic pak tai temple

After indulging in delicious buns and receiving blessings, we headed to nearby Tung Wan Beach for a stunning sunset view and some much-needed tranquility. It was a day filled with gratitude, amazement, and unforgettable memories.

As an Indian family, we found the Bun Festival to be a unique cultural experience, filled with warmth and hospitality. While we focused on the festival, we also noticed enticing attractions like the Mini Great Wall, the Reclining Rock, and Cheung Po Tsai Cave, all accessible by bike. If you plan to hike, be sure to bring cycle locks for safety.

Cheung Chau has so much to offer. I highly recommend visiting Cheung Chau at least once to soak in the festive vibe and create lasting memories! If you have a favorite thing to do on the island, let us know in the comments below. And feel free to share this post with anyone planning a visit!

Bun festival attending gang!

One near the beach! Love for pastels!

Its double the fun with bunch of friends!

Tung wan beach view! Not the best one but who cares!

Wind energy explained! :)

Love Lock Wall! Must pit stop for photo!

Funtastic company!

Beautiful scenic ferry ride from Central to Chueng chau

Family bikes can be hired just outside ferry pier.

Traditional vegetarian Buns!

Just outside ferry pier - Beautiful Fishing village coastal line!

cute little bun tower!

One during the ceremony

Bun Towers everywhere - SMall and Big!

Their concept of offering Deity is so similar to Indian culture as well!

Pak Tai Temple. Blessings Taken!

Very unique incense sticks in Hong Kong!

Historic stone wall! Love this architecture!

Waiting for Lion Dance to Begin.

One from Lion Dance!

Giant Incense sticks outside Pak Tam Temple

One with Bun Tower in background!

Unique - Elephant as part of Lion Dance