Local Journeys into Living Heritage 

Programmes in August 2026

 

 

 

Programmes in August 2026

 

Every district in Hong Kong is home to a wealth of distinctive intangible cultural heritage (ICH). From culinary crafts such as the making of wontons, dumplings, Hong Kong-style milk tea and bamboo-pole noodle-making, to traditional craftsmanship like neon tube fabrication, umbrella making, wooden boat building and stilt house construction, as well as festive events including the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, Pok Fu Lam Village Fire Dragon Dance and the Tai O Dragon Boat Water Parade. Each of these living traditions carries the stories and collective memories of local communities.

 

This season, the "Meet the Masters!" Series features the theme "Local Journeys into Living Heritage". From July to September 2026, the programmes will introduce a range of community-rooted ICH items through sharing and demonstrations. Participants are invited to step into the neighbourhoods, explore in person, and savour the flavours and experiences these traditions in person, and to bring ICH into the fabric of everyday lives.

 

 

Fire Dragon in the Streets: Sharing on the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance

According to local lore, a plague broke out in Tai Hang in 1880. To ward off the disaster, the villagers crafted a fire dragon from "pearl grass" and covered with lit joss sticks all over it. They paraded the fire dragon through the village streets for the three evenings preceding, on the day of, and following the Mid-Autumn Festival, praying for well-being and peace. This community-centred tradition has continued to this day and was inscribed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011.

 

This activity will briefly introduce the origins and distinctive features of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, explaining the fire dragon's structure, parade route and key rituals. Through props displays and video footage, participants will see how residents collaborate in organising and performing this festive event, and come to appreciate its cultural significance in strengthening community ties.

 

 

 

High Platforms and Floating Colours: Sharing and Demonstration on Piu Sik (Floating Colours) Making Technique

Piu Sik (Floating Colours) is a highlight of the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival procession. The name originates from the illusion of children appearing to float in mid-air as they are carried on moving "sik gwai" (colour cabinets). Every year, Cheung Chau residents draw on current events or folk tales to devise themes and characters, adding a distinctive visual focal point to the island's parade.

 

This activity will introduce the unique features and processes of Piu Sik (Floating Colours). Through talks and hands-on demonstrations, participants will gain an understanding of the craftsmanship behind the structural design, safety considerations and community heritage of the Piu Sik (Floating Colours) making technique, allowing them to experience the ingenuity and vitality involved.

 

 

 

Oars and Shadows on the Water: Sharing and Demonstration on Wooden Boat Building Technique

In Hong Kong, many traditional vessels are built of wood, including local sampans and purse-seiners, Hoklo fishing boats and long, narrow dragon boats for racing, each with its own distinctive form. The wooden boat building technique carries the skills and experience passed down through generations of local boatbuilders, witnessing the evolution of Hong Kong's fishing industry and maritime transport.

 

This activity will introduce key steps and structural features of wooden boat building and will include demonstrations using materials, tools and basic maintenance skills, allowing participants to appreciate the ingenuity and wisdom embodied in this intangible cultural heritage technique.

 

 

 

A Taste of Home: Sharing and Demonstration on Wonton and Dumpling Making Technique

Hong Kong-style wontons are developed from Qing dynasty Hunan pork wontons and later Guangzhou-style. After arriving in Hong Kong, the recipe was adapted to use sea shrimps instead of river shrimps, mixed with pork and dried flounder powder as the filling, reflecting Hong Kong's coastal food culture. Hong Kong-style dumplings, also known as Fung Shing dumplings, are said to originate from Shunde in Guangdong and likewise replace river shrimps with sea shrimps. With their distinct Hong Kong flavour, these two local delicacies have long been beloved everyday staples in neighbourhood noodle shops.

 

This activity will introduce the characteristics of Hong Kong-style wontons and dumplings, and share tips on ingredients selection, filling preparation and wrapping skills, allowing participants to appreciate the dedication and heritage behind handmade stuffed noodles.

 

 

 

A Winding Dragon: Sharing and Demonstration on the Pok Fu Lam Fire Dragon Dance

According to village lore, a plague broke out in Pok Fu Lam Village in the late 19th century. To dispel disease, the villagers crafted a straw dragon and covered it with lit joss sticks, transforming it into a "fire dragon" that was paraded through the lanes. This tradition has continued to the present day and is held on the evenings of the Mid-Autumn Festival eve and the festival day itself, bringing the community together and embodying a strong spirit of promotion and transmission of this tradition.

 

This activity will introduce the origins and ritual sequence of the Pok Fu Lam Village Fire Dragon Dance, covering the crafting of the fire dragon, consecration, parade and the ritual "Dragon Returning to the Sea". It will also share how the villagers collaborate to pass on this Mid-Autumn tradition.

 

 

Remarks: The above programmes may be subject to change or cancellation. Please take note of our update.

 

The above programmes are also the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit https://www.ccpo.gov.hk/en/.