By Andrea Wong Photograph: Facebook/Tai Hang Fire Dragon. If you’re anything like us and often find it hard to even crawl out of bed on the weekends, we’ve got just what you need. And there is no need to worry about your pets because there are also many, This yearly affair is a popular tradition that still remains in our modern city and every year, families, friends and couples flock to the best spots in town to admire the beautiful moon. The history of Mid-Autumn Festival goes back over 3,000 years. Even if not wanting to take public transport and head out right now, merely looking into these falls and the hikes required to reach them will perk you up and give you something to look forward to! Cheers to that! But if you are exploring your options for a more unique and festive treat to gift family and friends, we suggest checking out the, in town – it will certainly delight your palate in a more, What is a Mid-Autumn Festival reunion feast without a bevvy (or two)? Déjà vu! From whisky to CBD-infused mooncakes, our city offers a myriad of mooncake flavours to indulge in. However, when Hou Yi’s apprentice, Feng Meng, attempted to steal the elixir, Hou Yi’s wife, Chang’e tried to save the elixir by drinking it, which made her immortal and she floated to the moon, never to be seen by her beloved husband again. Everyone is gearing for one of the most celebrated festivals in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is famous for many things – historical landmarks, unique food, traditional crafts and trade – the list goes on. Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll that comes with harbour views or a challenging cliff-side climb, these are the best night hikes to try for you an active night out. More than just mooncakes and traditional gifts, it is a great holiday to celebrate with the family. But the festival only became an official celebration in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) when ancient emperors of China would host a feast to make offerings to deities and the moon in celebration of the year’s harvest. When you think of a bustling cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong, a picturesque sunset isn't usually the first thing that pops into your head. The chestnuts require a good boil and a pinch of salt, as they’re pretty hard nuts, to begin with. To answer your questions about this holiday, we’ve dug out everything from the history and legend behind the festival to the popular cultural traditions and upcoming activities in town to celebrate. For thousands of years, communities would come together during the Mid-Autumn festival to write wishes on sky lanterns (the type that floats up into the sky) and light them in honour of the legendary goddess of the moon, Chang’e, hoping that she would bless her worshippers with better luck. © 2020 Time Out Hong Kong Company Limited and affiliated companies owned by Time Out Group Plc. If you have friends or family members who enjoy a drink while tucking, , then perhaps you can indulge them with some of the, In addition to wine, tea and mooncakes are also an inseparable pair. by her beloved husband again. Home » How To Celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival In Hong Kong. Hiking seems to be everyone’s go-to outdoor activity in Hong Kong. The flavour varies regionally, but in Hong Kong, it is usually filled with a lotus seed paste and a salted egg yolk centre. Find out more about the Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year here. This stems from the belief that the moon’s cycle is closely associated with agricultural production. These rich cakes are designed to be eaten in small slices with a cup of hot tea. Cafe by day and bar by night, all day drinking just got a lot easier, Each piece is infused with 15mg of Life Pure CBD isolate, Take advantage of the early bird special of up to 35 percent discount for orders made on or before August 31, 20 percent of CookieSmiles profits go to HK Down Syndrome Association and Splash Foundation, A vacation that's not too far away from home, Book a staycation and soak in our city’s rich heritage and culture. Unfortunately, the event has been called off this year in light of the current social distancing restrictions. Of course, like most other Chinese festivals, food takes centre stage at Mid-Autumn, with mooncakes being a particularly popular way to mark the occasion. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Mooncakes are eaten in small wedges with families or friends during the night of Mid-Autumn and often served with tea or wine. Hiking in Hong Kong is a very popular pastime, with trails like Dragon's Back and Sunset Peak occupied on many weekends with hobbyists who want to get out from the concrete jungle and breathe in some fresh air. . Waterfalls capture the imagination like nothing else, transforming the landscape from merely beautiful into something straight out of a fairytale. Mid-Autumn Festival takes place annually on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, and this year, we are celebrating it on October 1, 2020. Legend has it that in the 1880s, the villagers in Tai Hang successfully chased off plague and evil spirits by parading the village with a straw dragon covered with incense for three days and nights. A s Sotheby’s Hong Kong concludes its Autumn Auctions series, we look back on the week at the phenomenal performance of sales across multiple categories. After learning what had happened to Chang’e, Hou Yi prepared a feast on this day every year, when the moon is believed to be the fullest, in hope of catching a glimpse of his wife’s shadow. Though celebrations will be a bit different this year – as some of the usual attractions like Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and the public Lantern Festivals have been cancelled – that shouldn't stop us in bringing our loved ones together to celebrate the festivity in a safe and. They are probably one of the weirdest-looking nuts you have ever seen (no pun intended!). Our roundup of places to hit up for drinks this month. Mid-Autumn Festival takes place annually on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, and this year, we are celebrating it on October 1, 2020. Any excuse really! This is why the revered rabbit now lives on the moon alongside Chang’E, working forever more as a custodian of heavenly medicine. If you have friends or family members who enjoy a drink while tucking into mooncakes, then perhaps you can indulge them with some of the best wines in the city. And why do we even celebrate it? Our city has some of the. Photograph: Courtesy Leisure and Cultural Services Department. In Chinese culture, the Lunar calendar carries great significance. So, scroll down and explore these under-the-radar locations that offer splendid views of our city's ever-changing skyline. In his absence, a thief threatened to steal the elixir from Chang’E. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Lantern carnivals and dragon dances may be cancelled due to. RECOMMENDED: Head for the hills and surprise yourself with some unexpected things you can do outdoors in Hong Kong. Although the true origin of Mid-Autumn Festival is not known for certain, history records show that moon-worshipping practices began over 3,000 years ago in the Shang Dynasty (c. . Photograph: Courtesy cc/flickr/watashiwani. Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally a time for families to gather and reconnect over a reunion dinner. Stargazing can be tricky in Hong Kong. The Chinese character for osmanthus 'gwai’ also sounds similar to the word for wealth, so drinking osmanthus wine on the night of the full moon also represents the celebration of prosperity, health, and harmony. The immortals, disguised as destitute peasants, went into the forest where they came across a fox, a monkey and a rabbit. RECOMMENDED: For those wanting to get away from people to HK's great outdoors, check out this list of Hong Kong hikes. With all the light pollution and skyscrapers obstructing your view of the sky, it’s almost impossible for most of us who live in the city side to see the stars. After learning what had happened to Chang’e, Hou Yi prepared a feast on this day every year, when the moon is believed to be the fullest, in hope of catching a glimpse of his wife’s shadow. The Legend Behind the Mid-Autum Festival An ancient Chinese traditional custom that goes back nearly three thousand years, the Festival was most likely established as a communal celebration for the annual harvest, but also has some interesting folklore behind it.