Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TIN HAU BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL
Like the Taoist god Pak Tai, Tin Hau, the queen of heaven, is the protector of seafarers
and is widely worshipped along the South China coast. Her birthday, which will fall on
11 May in 2015 and 2 May 2016, is a key saintly festivity for the older generations and
swaggering businessmen alike. There is a parade in Yuen Long featuring lion dances
and Cantonese opera, and Tin Hau temples throughout the city swells with visitors.
But
Tai Miu Temple
is theplace to go as elaborate rites are performed starting four
days before Tin Hau's birthday.
You can take a minibus to go there, but you are totally missing the point if you don't
take the
special ferry
(round trip HK$60)
from North Point Pier (), which only operates on
Tin Hau's birthday and the day before. About 50 boats carry the faithful to and from
the temple.
The 40-minute journey itself is quite a spectacle. Once the voyage begins, the ferry
transforms into a floating temple, with grannies praying, preparing joss sticks and pa-
per offerings, and burning them in the furnace on the deck. Hell money is thrown into
the sea along the journey to appease the water deities. If you set off at around noon
on the red-letter day, you'll see a flotilla of colourful fishing boats parading through
Victoria Harbour. Finally the sea procession arrives in Joss House Bay to pay homage
to their protector.
EATING
Po Toi O is a small fishing village southeast of Clearwater Bay. The two seafood restaurants
there draw in gourmands from all over Hong Kong.
CANTONESE, SEAFOOD
SEAFOOD ISLAND
10.30am-11.30pm)
Crustaceans of every kind are on full display at this energetic restaurant hidden in discreet
Po Toi O Village. A totally non-luxe setting but with no-nonsense fare, Seafood Island is
famed for its cuttlefish sashimi and razor clams. It's more a group activity to dine here. Grab
a couple of friends and enjoy all the treats on offer.
