It’s no surprise that Hong Kong holds several world records, such as having the world’s longest outdoor covered escalator system and being the city with the most buildings over 150 metres. Now, our city has added another title to the Guinness World Records with the world’s largest temporary bamboo structure altar. Located in Kam Tin Heung, New Territories, this architectural feat measures at 3,897.409 sq m and towers nearly five storeys high, built to hold the celebrations for the Kam Tin Heung Jiao Festival, also known as the Da Chiu Festival.
But first off, what exactly is the Jiao Festival? While this event is celebrated in various areas across Hong Kong at different times, Kam Tin Heung’s iteration occurs once every decade and is held to show gratitude to the deities and purify the surrounding area. This year’s celebrations take place from December 13 to 19 within the temporary bamboo theatre in front of the Chow Wong Yi Kung Study Hall, a Grade II historical building at Shui Tau Tsuen. The structure was built in 1684 to honour Zhou You-de, the Viceroy of Guangdong and Guanxi, and Wang Lai-ren, the Governor of Guangdong, who lifted a border ban, allowing visitors to return to the area during the early Qing Dynasty.
Aside from serving as a ritual hall for the festivities, the record-holding bamboo theatre will also host several Taoist ceremonies, including deity processions, lion and dragon dances, Cantonese opera performances, hand puppet shows, and communal poon choi feasts. While Kam Tin Heung might be a bit of a trek to reach, we reckon getting to marvel at this bamboo behemoth and experiencing this decennial festival is worth making a day trip up into the New Territories.
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