Saint's holiday is major Dong'ao Island attraction

Hung Hei, a virtuous government official whose weather forecasts saved lives at sea, and whose spirit is said to still protect fishermen and traders, was honored April 8 on Dong'ao Island.

Hundreds of villagers from Wailingding, Guishan, and Wanshan islands were joined by tourists and guests from Hong Kong and Macao at Hung Shing Tai Wong Temple to participate in the annual Hung Shing Festival. After Hung died from overwork, the Tang emperor named him Nam Hoi Kwong Li Hung Shing Tai Wong -- St Hung the Great King of Extensive Benefits of South Seas.

His birthday falls on the 23rd day of the second lunar month and is celebrated at Hung Shing temples throughout Guangdong. The birthday of Hung Shing Tai Wong, however, is commemorated on the 13th day of the second lunar month in Hong Kong.

The Dong'ao temple was built in a bygone era; the exact date is unknown, but it was reconstructed in 2000 and renovated in 2017. The Hung Shing Festival, however, has been handed down by the islanders for generations. It is both solemn and lively.

Banners wave during lion dance

A lion dance ushered in the procession to the temple where celebrants burned incense sticks, offered sacrifices, and lay down in worship before a likeness of St Hung as firecrackers went off in the background. They prayed for smooth sailing and bountiful harvests in the coming year.

At night, the shore was lined with 20 dining tables at which friends toasted the future. Participants also purchased souvenirs during an auction at the event.

Palanquin holding Hung Hei statue  

The Dong'ao Village Committee welcomes the holiday as the festival is enhanced by folk arts, local catering, and piscatory customs.

Food offering [Photos by Cheng Lin / Zhuhai Daily]

Hung Hei was governor of Panyu, which is now a district in Guangzhou, during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 ce). He was an astronomer, geographer, and precise weather forecaster.