The Jiao Festival of Cheung Chau was officially inscribed onto the third national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2011. Since the revival of the bun scrambling contest of Cheung Chau in 2005, the annual Bun Carnival has been well received by the public.
The wide range of programs offered by the Bun Carnival, including the Selection Contest for the Bun Scrambling Competition, the Climbing Carnival, and the Bun Scrambling Competition, each year attracts an attendance of over 10,000 including visitors from home and abroad alike. The Bun Scrambling Competition had in particular been the focus of attention and is now one of the most representative traditional festivities in Hong Kong. It helps to strengthen Cheung Chau's local economy, promote climbing sports, and boost tourism in Hong Kong.
The 2025 Bun Carnival to be staged at the soccer pitch of Pak Tai Temple Playground, Cheung Chau from 6 April to 6 May 2025 is jointly organized by the Hong Kong Cheung Chau Bun Festival Committee and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, in association with the Cheung Chau Wai Chiu County Association Limited, the Cheung Chau Rural Committee, the Islands District Office of the Home Affairs Department and Hong Kong, China Mountaineering and Climbing Union Limited. Sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceutical (H.K.) Ltd., Vita Green Health Products Co Ltd., Watsons Water, and Taisho Pharmaceutical (HK) Ltd., the carnival aims to familiarise the public with the bun scrambling tradition and local customs.
The program of the 2025 Bun Carnival is packed with a variety of interesting activities such as the Training and Selection Contest for the Bun Scrambling Final, the Bun Scrambling Competition, and the Climbing Carnival. The Climbing Carnival is an opportunity for the public to enjoy the fun of bun tower climbing. Activities include stall games, handicraft making, a variety show, climbing demonstrations, and a fun day, as well as a display of winning entries in the Drawing Competitions for Students. Climbing training will be provided for participants of the Bun Scrambling Competition. In addition to the individual event, an invitation relay will be organized for local groups in Cheung Chau to compete against climbing athletes from neighboring areas.
Persons interested in participating in the competition should complete SmartPLAY user registration and identity authentication, and submit their electronic ballot applications from Feb. 17 to 28, 2025 via the SmartPLAY website, the mobile app (My SmartPLAY) or Smart Self-service Stations. User registration at SmartPLAY is free of charge. To register as SmartPLAY users, please refer to the link.
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