Largest Tin Hau Festival in Hong Kong Celebrated in Yuen Long

The Shap Pat Heung Tin Hau Festival parade, a three-hour procession from Yuen Long Town to Tai Shu Ha's Tin Hau Temple, featured 37 performing teams and attracted numerous visitors on April 20.

The parade started at 10 a.m., featuring teams with paper flower tributes, as well as dragon and lion dances plus cultural performances.

The parade, organised by Yuen Long's Shap Pat Heung village is the largest Tin Hau Festival celebrations in Hong Kong and is a tradition that dates back over half a century.

Emily Yeung, a bank clerk, is a member of a temple performance team from Yuen Long. “I don’t live in Yuen Long, but I come to this temple to worship,” she said.

This is her fourth year in this Tin Hau Festival parade. She volunteered because of her religious beliefs.

“Because the movements are not very complicated, I don't need to practice for a long time every year. We only rehearsed two or three times,” she said.

Spectators lined Hok Yip Road to watch the performance, and cheered from time to time.

“This event is really colorful and interesting.We can even touch the dragon,”said Peter Schulz, a 57-year-old German visitor traveling with his family.

“I also like the different movements of the dragons. They are very powerful,” Schulz said.

“It is very colourful. I like the culture and it is very beautiful,” said Peter’s daughter, Clara Schulz.

A 14-year-old lion dancer, Wu Yong-cong, has been learning the dance for two years. His lion dance teacher invited him to participate in the parade.

“The festive atmosphere here really attracts me, and participating in the performance also brings me great satisfaction.” Wu said.

A restaurant owner, Ms Ng, aged 80, wishes for peace and prosperity through this parade.

“Although there are many visitors in Yuen Long, I do not see a big difference in our sales,” she said.

Worship ceremonies for Tin Hau, the sea goddess, were held at over 24 locations across Hong Kong, including Sai Kung, Lamma Island, and Cheung Chau. 

These celebrations often featured Cantonese opera and parades. 

The Hong Kong Tin Hau Festival was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Tin Hau's birthday is usually on the 23rd day of the third lunar month each year.