macau home
Drunken Dragon Festival

Drunken Dragon Festival - May / 8th day 4th Moon

This is a very strange festival if compared with the other major Chinese festivals. It dates from the misty past from the Kangxi Kingdom of the Qing Dynasty.

Praying to the Buddha for help against a disastrous plague, villagers were carrying his statue when suddenly a giant python leaped out of the river on to the bank, blocking the way.

A Buddhist monk slashed at the monster, cutting it into three pieces which were tossed into the river. The pieces writhed about and then, amid a great wind and thunder, they flew up into the sky.

Miraculously, the people recovered from the plague and the turf which has been stained with the creature's blood proved to be unusually fertile. Believing that they had been saved by a divine dragon, the people carved its image and at the annual festival when the Buddha is bathed they drank wildly and danced with the dragon.

The fishermen associations organize this festival, which start in the morning in the Kuan Tai Temple near S. Domingos Market (near Senado Square), where men perform a drunken dance with wooden heads and tails of a dragon.

Then, they go on the direction of the Inner Harbour and pay a visit some shops and piers on the waterfront. At each stop they drink wine until they are not able to go on. All the participants and observers end the day with a great dinner.

Top

Permalink: Drunken Dragon Festival

Book Macau Hotel Rooms Online Today. Deals up to 75% OFF. Limited Rooms Available.

Click here for the Best Macau Rates and Hotel Deals

TOP or go to Macau Travel Homepage

Macau Travel: Related Articles

Macau Travel

Macau Travel Resources

Macau Travel Macau Hotels - Check out best Hotels and Accommodations, including Budget Hotels, 4Star Hotels, Luxury Hotels and Casino Hotels

Macau Travel World Heritage Sites - Discover the best of Macau's heritage from the ancient Ama Temple to ruins of St Paul to the best preserved military forts.

Macau tourism DIY Macau Tours - Macau is such a small place that most tours can be done on foot. We will show you the best tours from ancient St. Paul ruins to the modern 338m high Macau Tower.

Macau tourism The best of Restaurants - There is plenty of good food to be had in the city. Like any other Chinese, Macau people do eat throughout the day - up to five times a day.