Mischievous monkeys in Hong Kong

Take a flight to Hong Kong in October and you could witness the traditional celebration of the Monkey God Festival.

As with many Chinese festivities this is a moveable feast, based on the lunar calendar, which this year will take place on October 7th.

Visitors to Hong Kong should make their way to the Monkey God Temple in Sau Mau Ping in Kowloon to witness some of the traditional trials carried out to represent the ordeals metered out to the Monkey God by the other gods.

The story, which first appeared in a 14th century novel, goes that the mischievous Monkey God was an outcast from Taoist heavan who redeemed himself and gained immortality by escorting Tang Gan Zang on his pilgrimage to obtain the teachings of Lord Buddha.

Traditionally a possessed medium at the Monkey God Temple will undergo a series of challenges, including running over hot coals and climbing a ladder of knives and remain unscathed.

Other festive activities include making paper offering to the deity and burning incense.

For more information visit the Hong Kong tourism website.

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