Martin Kwok, who makes “ping on” (means 平安 "peace and safety" in Chinese) buns, believes, “The words ‘ping on’ lie at the very heart of the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival.” Today, “ping on” has gone beyond its ritual roots, becoming a simple and heartfelt wish for the future and for those around us.
Every year in the fourth lunar month, the Cheung Chau Jiao Festival fills the island with vibrant energy. As one of Hong Kong’s most iconic items of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), it reflects the city’s rich traditions. Amid the sounds of drums and gongs, the towering bun towers in front of Pak Tai Temple are the centrepiece. For years, the three traditional bun towers have been funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club. They are not only a highlight of the festival, but also foundational to preserving the tradition. If the towers form its structure, the small buns stamped in red give the festival its soul. These buns are made by two long-established bakeries on Cheung Chau, one of which is Kwok Kam Kee. As the second-generation successor, Martin Kwok carries forward the craft with a strong sense of responsibility.
Born and raised on Cheung Chau, Martin grew up with the familiar scent of flour in the air. Like many young people from outlying islands, he later moved to the city for his studies and went on to build a career of more than a decade in finance and technology. When his father, who made the buns, began to consider retirement, Martin could not bear to see this craft that is so closely tied to Cheung Chau disappear. After much thought, he gave up a well-paid career and returned to the island where he grew up. “To me, this shop has never been just a business, it is my father’s life’s work of over 40 years. If no one carries it on, the craft will be lost. I could not let that happen.”
To Martin, ping on buns are far more than ordinary baked goods. He believes in the “warmth” of handmade production. While most buns are simply for eating, these carry the emotions of the community, reverence for deities, and deep ritual significance. In the past, buns were stamped with the word “longevity” (壽). Residents would hang them outside homes or shops for protection. Fishermen would keep them on board, and some even ground them into powder mixed with water when unwell, believing they could bring healing.
Over time, the buns came to bear the bright red words “ping on” (peace and safety), and their meaning also evolved. They have shifted from ritual offerings rooted in spiritual beliefs to a warm way of sharing blessings. This irreplaceable human touch is his greatest motivation for preserving the tradition. Martin believes that “ping on” lies at the heart of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival. Today, it represents a simple and sincere wish for the future and for those around us.
Keeping this craft alive in modern society cannot rely on artisans alone. With this in mind, we support the sustainable development of ICH through the Jockey Club Public Education Programme for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong. Using traditions such as the Cheung Chau Bun Festival as a focus, the programme offers educational and experiential activities to deepen public understanding and encourage wider participation across generations. In recent years, Martin has actively taken part, bringing the craft of making ping on buns into the community through workshops.
“Passing on a tradition cannot rely on words alone,” Martin said. “We go into communities and schools, letting young people experience the process firsthand.” This takes a Cheung Chau tradition beyond the island and allows more people to understand the meaning behind “ping on” .
Among the participants, one moment stood out—a father and son working together happily. The father, usually busy with work, had made time to bring his son. After the workshop, he sincerely thanked Martin, “If not for this workshop, I would not have had the chance to sit with my son for two hours and create a piece of work together,” the father said. Seeing how a father and son, once distant because of their busy lives, were brought closer by this traditional craft, Martin realised that making ping on buns is not just a skill, it is a bridge connecting two generations.
Looking at the vibrant scenes of the festival, the continuation of tradition is never by chance. Behind it are not only the artisan’s hard work, but also the support of the community and the Club as partners along the way. As Martin hopes, this craft has gone beyond the festival itself, becoming a lasting symbol of cultural harmony in Hong Kong, carrying forward the spirit of “ping on” and human connection.
Did you know?
The Cheung Chau Jiao Festival is not only an annual highlight on the island, but was also inscribed onto the national list of intangible cultural heritage in 2011. During the festival, the three traditional bun towers, funded by the Club are a key attraction, while the buns stamped with “ping on” symbolise blessings of safety and well-being.
To support the preservation of traditional crafts and practices, we back the Jockey Club Public Education Programme for Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong. Through workshops, exhibitions and guided tours, the programme brings heritage into the community and encourages participation, helping ensure these traditions continue to be passed on.
Artist Inkgo says, “My mission is to breathe life into bamboo, to help the public to appreciate bamboo craftsmanship and to pass on this craftsmanship to future generations.”