Local Journeys into Living Heritage 

Programmes in September 2026

 

 

 

Programmes in September 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 Po Night Dragon Boat 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.

 

 

A Glimpse of Stilt Houses: Sharing on Stilt House Construction Technique

Stilt houses, found mainly in Tai O, are wooden dwellings built along the shoreline between the high tide and low tide marks, using material such as timbers and zinc sheets. Scattered in response to the coastal terrain, they form a distinctive coastal landscape. The construction of stilt houses demands site-specific adaptation, requiring careful attention to structural stability, spatial efficiency and protection against storm and moisture, reflecting the architectural wisdom of local craftsmen.

 

This activity will introduce the structural features and construction processes of stilt houses, explaining how their layout and structural design are adapted to the waterside environment. Through demonstrations and photographs, participants will gain a glimpse into the daily lives of the boat people in stilt houses and learn about the conservation value of such coastal settlements amidst urban development.

 

 

 

Night Dragon Crossing the Sea: Sharing on the Tai Po Night Dragon Boat Parade (Chung's Wing Chuen Tong)

Every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, the Shek's Clan and Chung's Wing Chuen Tong of Tai Po hold night dragon boat parades at Sam Mun Tsai respectively. According to legend, during the late Southern Song dynasty, Emperor Bing accidentally fell into the sea while fleeing south, but was fortunately rescued by the local people. To commemorate this event, later generations have practiced night dragon boat parade during the festival to pray for the divine blessings and the safety of the community on land and at sea. The Shek and Chung Clans have kept this tradition alive to this day, making it an important festive event that strengthens clan bonds.

 

This activity will present the Tai Po Night Dragon Boat Parade from the perspective of Chung's Wing Chuen Tong, introducing its historical origins and key rituals and explaining how the tradition was brought to Tai Po and continued following the migration of the two clans. Through photos and oral histories, participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the historical memories carried by the night dragon boat parade and its significance to the community.

 

 

 

Night Dragon in the Dark: Sharing on the Tai Po Night Dragon Boat Parade (Shek's Clan) 

Every year during the Dragon Boat Festival, the Shek's Clan and Chung's Wing Chuen Tong of Tai Po hold night dragon boat parades at Sam Mun Tsai respectively. According to legend, during the late Southern Song dynasty, Emperor Bing accidentally fell into the sea while fleeing south, but was fortunately rescued by the local people. To commemorate this event, later generations have practiced night dragon boat parade during the festival to pray for the divine blessings and the safety of the community on land and at sea. The Shek and Chung Clans have kept this tradition alive to this day, making it an important festive event that strengthens clan bonds.

 

This activity will focus on the role of Shek's Clan in preparing the night dragon boat parade, including inviting the Song Emperor statue aboard the dragon boat and coordinating the night parade route. Through photographs and oral narratives, participants will gain insight from the Shek's Clan's perspective into how the night dragon boat parade strengthens clan ties and community bonds, while also exploring ways to sustain this festive tradition in modern society.

 

 

 

Hands Crafting Umbrellas: Sharing and Demonstration on Umbrella Making Technique

Umbrella making is a time-honoured handicraft in Hong Kong. In the past, umbrellas were largely handmade, and shops also offered repair services so that damaged umbrellas could be mended rather than discarded. With the rise of industrial production, locally handmade umbrella making and repair services gradually declined. The development of umbrella making not only reflects the evolution of Hong Kong's umbrella making industry, but also embodies the wisdom of an earlier time, when nothing went to waste.

 

This activity will introduce the basic structure and production process of umbrella making. Through brief demonstration, participants will have a close-up look at the cutting and sewing of fabric, the assembly of the ribs and the fitting of various components. Participants will come to understand the differences between traditional handcrafting and modern industrial production, and deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship embodied in seemingly ordinary umbrella.

 

 

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://ccpo.gov.hk/en/.