Did you know that the Chinese temples in Hong Kong are dedicated to different Gods? Find out who they are and what they are renowned for.
Hong Kong is a beautiful city with colonial architecture and rich Chinese culture. Alongside the stunning historic buildings, like Tai Kwun and Chi Lin Nunnery, many wonderful Chinese temples can be found from the bustling city to the surrounding islands. Temples are a sacred place for people to worship and pay respects to different Gods. Did you know that most of the Chinese temples in Hong Kong are dedicated to a small group of deities? Whether you’re a Buddhist, a Taoist, or a non-believer, it’s interesting to learn more about local culture, so have a look at these temple facts for next time you’re passing one by on the street.
All the Chinese temples in Hong Kong you need to know
1. The God of Literature and the God of War: Man Mo Temple
There are only a few Chinese temples in Hong Kong dedicated to the twin Gods. By far, the most famous one is Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan. It pays tribute to two gods: the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo). While there are several Man Mo Temples across Hong Kong and they’re commonly worshipped by students hoping to be blessed in their academic studies, Sheung Wan’s temple had a different purpose when it was first constructed; it was a symbol of indigenous unity, culture, and justice for Hong Kong people living on the Island during British colonisation. As non-Europeans were banned from European services in the colony, Man Mo Temple was the one-stop location for everything from education to civil affairs and medical care.
Man Mo Temple, 124-126 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2540 0350
2. The Goddess of the Sea: Tin Hau Temple
There are over a hundred Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong, all of which are dedicated to Tin Hau (or Mazu), the Chinese Sea Goddess. Tin Hau is highly respected by most believers of Chinese folk religion, but she’s particularly revered by fishermen and those who live by the ocean. Legend has it that Tin Hau can roam the seas and protect her followers from natural disasters. From the outlying islands to reclaimed locations, you can find a Tin Hau temple almost everywhere in Hong Kong, which goes to show how important the goddess has been to the residents of this coastal city.
Particularly worth visiting is the Yau Ma Tei Tin Hau Temple. An impressive Chinese temple in Hong Kong with a five-building structure, it served the indigenous populations in Kowloon during colonial Hong Kong, much like how the Sheung Wan Man Mo Temple served the Islanders.
Yau Ma Tei Tin Hau Temple, 56-58 Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong, p. 2915 3488
3. The God of the North: Pak Tai Temple
The Wan Chai Pak Tai Temple is one of the most renowned Chinese temples in Hong Kong. Pak Tai is the God of the North and a much-respected Taoist water deity. Inside Pak Tai Temple, a three-metre-tall Pak Tai statue sits in the main hall. Additionally, on his left and right are a line-up of secondary gods that were crucial to the temple community in the past. Notable deities in the side halls include Bao Gong (Deity of Justice), Lung Mo (Dragon Mother; Deity of Water and Children), and Hua Tuo (Deity of Medicine).
Another famous Pak Tai Temple is in Cheung Chau, where the annual Bun Festival takes place. Be sure to use our guide to Cheung Chau to navigate the area!
Pak Tai Temple, 2 Lung On Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, p. 2573 2086
Yuk Hui Temple (Pak Tai Temple), Pak She Street, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, p. 2981 0663
4. The Mother of Dragons: Lung Mo Temple
Lung Mo’s story is one of parental love and filial piety. Before becoming a goddess, Lung Mo was an ordinary woman who raised five dragons. To repay Lung Mo for her kindness, the dragons granted her powers to control the rain and the seas. She was made a Deity of Water and Children after her death.
While Lung Mo Temples are a relative minority among Chinese temples in Hong Kong, there are two that are especially worth visiting. Inside Peng Chau’s Lung Mo Temple is an ornate dragon bed. It’s believed that touching it will bring you good luck. Plus, you can predict your future by drawing fortune sticks (kau chim) in the side chambers – we hear that Peng Chau’s Lung Mo is particularly accurate with her predictions! Another impressive site is the Tsuen Wan Lung Mo Temple. This two-storey compound also houses secondary deities like Guanyin and the God of Literature.
Curious about your fate? Visit these fortune tellers in Hong Kong.
Lung Mo Temple, 15 Chi Yan Street, Tung Wan, Peng Chau, Hong Kong, p. 2983 0725
Tsuen Wan Lung Mo Temple, 8 Sheung Kok Shan Road, Lo Wai, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2490 7787
5. The Goddess of Mercy: Kwun Yum Temple
Kwun Yum (or Guanyin), the Goddess of Mercy in both Taoism and Buddhism, is a protector of those in misery and her temple is a place of refuge for those in need. The most famous Kwun Yum Temple in Hong Kong is in Hung Hom. It was dated to 1873 and is associated with a few eerie happenings in the early 20th century and during World War II – read on if you dare!
When Hung Hom was being developed in the 1900s, construction workers struck something underground that resulted in a blood-red water stream shooting into the sky. While it turned out to be contaminated water, many believed that the workers had struck Kwun Yum’s “dragon vein”. Then, during World War II, Japanese fire targeted the nearby Whampoa ship factory. Houses surrounding the temple were destroyed, but the temple itself and those who took shelter in it were miraculously left unharmed… Was this the work of Kwun Yum? You decide.
Kwun Yam Temple, 15 Station Lane, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, p. 2363 4930
6. The Southern Song Dynasty military commander: Che Kung Temple
Che Kung Temple is dedicated to its namesake, Che Kung, who was a military general in the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). It’s believed that Che Kung helped escort the last emperor of the Song dynasty on his escape to Sai Kung.
The most popular Che Kung Temple in Hong Kong is in Sha Tin. Particularly, every Lunar New Year, government officials accompany the Chief Executive to Che Kung Temple to predict Hong Kong’s fortune in the new year. What’s more, the predictions from this Chinese temple in Hong Kong are always chillingly accurate! Also on Lunar New Year’s Day, you’ll find people spinning the wheel of fortune at Che Kung Temple three times for good luck.
Che Kung Temple, 7 Che Kung Miu Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, p. 2603 4049
7. The God of Good Fortune: Wong Tai Sin Temple
Did you know that the Wong Tai Sin area is named after the God of Good Fortune? What’s more, this Taoist deity was an ordinary sheep herder who studied immortality under a Taoist Immortal. After death, he was granted the same status of immortality and given the moniker Wong Tai Sin (Great Immortal Wong).
Furthermore, in the eyes of locals, Wong Tai Sin is a deity that answers any and all prayers. So, that’s why devotees flock to the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple to offer incense and fruits in hopes the Immortal will grant them prosperity. Additionally, a unique custom at Wong Tai Sin Temple is that on Lunar New Year’s Eve, crowds rush to the temple with the sole intention to make the first incense offering of the new year. It’s quite the sight to behold!
Exploring the neighbourhood? Check out our guide to Wong Tai Sin.
Wong Tai Sin Temple, 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong, p. 2327 8141
8. The City God: Shing Wong Temple
Shing Wong Temple honours Sing Wong, the god believed to maintain peace among the spirits. In addition to this peacekeeping role, Shing Wong is also a protector of city walls (Shing) and moats (Wong). During the Tang and Song dynasties, devotees went to Shing Wong for all sorts of matters, from praying for good weather to preventing outbreaks of sickness and famine, to protecting their homes from intruders and evil spirits. Since homes are more secure in modern times, Shing Wong is better known today as a peacekeeper between the living and the dead.
Shau Kei Wan’s Shing Wong Temple is one of the few Chinese temples in Hong Kong dedicated to the deity. While it was first erected in 1877 as Fook Tak Chi, the temple was renamed and reassigned to Shing Wong to fill the lack of a place of worship for the god.
Shing Wong Temple, Kam Wa Street, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong, p. 2569 2837
9. God of the South Sea: Hung Shing Temple
Much like Wong Tai Sin and Lung Mo, Hung Shing was an ordinary Tang dynasty official before his deification. Known for accurately predicting typhoons and other disasters in life, Hung Shing is revered as a prominent water deity. This is why you can find Hung Shing Temples in areas as far apart from one another as Sai Kung, Kam Tin, and Ap Lei Chau!
Ap Lei Chau’s Hung Shing Temple is particularly worth mentioning. Dating back to the 1770s, this Chinese temple in Hong Kong is one of the few remaining structures dedicated to a water deity that remains by the seaside. Particularly, on the 13th day of the second lunar month, Hung Shing Temples across Hong Kong teem with life as vibrant festivities are held to celebrate the Hung Shing Festival. So, look forward to lively dragon dances and festive parades around the temple grounds and surrounding areas.
Hung Shing Temple, 9 Hung Shing Street, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, p. 2552 6884
