Thousands brave heat for buns, giant fish balls, Ne Zha at Hong Kong Cheung Chau festival
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Revellers set out on their journeys early on Monday. Shortly before 9am, the Central pier announced that the fast ferry was fully boarded, as dozens of tourists waited there.
The Cheung Chau Bun Festival, also known as
Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival , falls each year on Buddha's Birthday.
This year, the date coincided with the last day of the Labour Day 'golden week' holiday.
Participants are advised to brace for scorching sunshine and stuffy heat, as the mercury on Cheung Chau already rose to 28 degrees Celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit) after 9am, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.
People wait for the ferry at Cheung Chau pier. Photo: Eugene Lee
Among early birds heading to the island is clerk Terry Chan, 40, who is travelling with her five-year-old daughter.
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