Friday 21st May: The Cheung Chau Bun Festival

If you’re looking to do something different this weekend why not put down the booze and pick up some buns. Midnight this Friday sees the final of the Cheung Chau bun festival.  Watch as locals race up a 15 meter tall tower pulling down the buns that decorate it as they go.

The bun festival began as an old folk custom on the island but has turned into one of the most interesting and unusual events in Hong Kong. 12 competitors are allowed three minutes on the bun tower to pick off as many as they can. The higher up the tower the bun is the more points it is worth.

The preliminary heats have already taken place so only the most agile and speedy bun pickers are left in the running for the final. Be warned: it can become very competitive. After all who wouldn’t want to be crowned King or Queen of Buns?

This is also the first year that women have been allowed to compete in a separate category to the men. The fastest qualifying time was 12.8 seconds for the ladies, and 7.75 seconds for the men.

The event has had a turbulent history. In 1978 the event was banned after the bun tower collapsed.  It only reopened in 2005 after safety measures increased. Now the scramblers have to wear professional climbing gear.

Cheung Chau island is famous for being a former pirate enclave.  This Friday the island is expected to come under attack – from locals. 45-50,000 visitors are estimated to turn out.

Spectator tickets will be available from Cheung Chau Fire Station from 10pm on Friday. Best to get there early as only 1,500 tickets will be issued to the tower area.

The bun scramble takes place from 11.30pm-12.30am at Pak Tai Temple playground, Cheung Chau.

There is also a bun festival parade that will take place from 2-4pm.

For public transport to the event go to: www.news.gov.hk. For more information visit www.discoverhongkong.com or www.cheungchau.org