Hung Shing Festival – Second Moon, Day 13
(March) Click for western date >>

The Hung Shing Festival commemorates the birthday of Hung Shing Tai Wong, God of the Southern Sea, on the 13th day of the second lunar month.

Hung Shing was a government official named Hung Hei during the Tang dynasty. A governor of Panyu, he was knowledgeable in astronomy and geography and helped merchants and fishermen with his ability to forecast the weather. Legend has it that Hung Shing continued to guard the people against natural disasters even after his death.

To commemorate this deity, fishermen along the South China coast built temples to worship him.
Temple Fair celebrating the Centenary of Hung Shing Festival at Sheung Shui Ho Sheung Heung

There is no better way to experience Hong Kong’s living culture than with a visit to the village of Ho Sheung Heung in the New Territories.

More than 800 years old, it is one of the oldest villages in Hong Kong and from 16 to 20 March villagers are marking the 100th Anniversary of their celebrations to Hung Shing, a popular god among fishermen, with a temple fair.

Celebrations this year include:

  • A large-scale Piu Sik (Floating Colours) Procession
  • A Big Bowl Feast (Pun Choi)
  • Cantonese Opera performances by veteran opera stars
  • Chinese martial arts shows
  • A Fa Pau Competition

The Fa Pau competition is sure to be a unique experience. Villagers shoot a fire cracker into the air and celebrants in the crowd try to catch the falling cracker. The winner, the person who successfully catches the cracker core, gets to keep the Fa Pau (floral wreath). It is believed that it brings the owner good fortune and protection from Hung Shing. This is a not-to-be-missed occasion as Ho Sheung Heung is the only village in the northern district in Hong Kong that preserves this tradition.

Be sure to visit the Hau Ku Shek Ancestral Hall, a declared monument, the Hung Shing Temple and other historical relics in the village.

Date: 16-20 March 2011
Venue: Ho Sheung Heung, Sheung Shui and Sheung Shui Town Centre, New Territories
How to Get There: MTR Sheung Shui Station and take mini-bus 51K

Highlights of the festival include:

  1. Ceremony and Piu Sik (Floating Colours) Procession
    Date:17 March 2011
    Time:9:45am - 11:30am
    Venue:Starts from Sheung Shui Rural Committee Building on Po Wan Road, passes through San Hang Street, Fu Hing Street, San Tsoi Street and finishes at Sheung Shui Rural Committee Building.
  2. ‘Fa Pau Competition’
    Date:17 March 2011
    Time:1pm
    Venue:Piazza in front of the Hung Shing Temple, Ho Sheung Heung, Sheung Shui
  3. Cantonese Opera Performance
    Date:16-19 March 2011
    Time:7:30pm, 16 March
    2:00pm and 7:30pm, 17 March
    2:30pm and 7:30pm, 18-20 March
    Venue:Ho Sheung Heung Piazza, Sheung Shui (next to Ho Sheung Heung Rural Committee Building)
    Tickets:HK$50, $100 and $250 (Tickets available at Sheung Shui Rural Committee and Sheung Shui Ho Sheung Heung Rural Committee Building)


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