Holiday dates 2010 HK SAR establishment day 1st July Kwan Tai birthday 4th Aug Seventh Goddess day 16th Aug Chinese Ghost Festival 23rd Aug Confucius birthday 4th Sept Chinese Mid Autumn Festival 22nd pm Sept, holiday 23rd Sept Monkey King Festival 22nd Sept Chinese National day 1st Oct
Tap Mun Island Ta Tsui celebrations
Tap Mun is a tiny island, in the East New Territories. Numbering under 200 occupants today - mainly Hakka and Tanka fisherfolks. It once had a thriving community of 2000 persons. Today you can enjoy the surroundings, either within the village, or walk around the island.
The newly renovated Tin Hau temple (the sea goddess - fishermen, and there family's prayed here before heading out to sea) is in time for the Ta Tsiu celebrations in April. This important Taoist ceremony lasts several days and takes place every 10 years. Priests hold rituals to placate the ghosts and banish malevolent spirits. Opera performances are held; pai lau (flower arches) line the path; and the island is full of families returning from around the world.
