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Wong Tai Sin Temple
One of the most famous temples in Hong Kong, well-known among many locals. The temple venerates Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. It is said that Wong Tai Sin is particularly effective, responding to all prayers. Therefore, countless devotees visit each year to worship and draw lots, making the temple a bustling place. A notable feature of Wong Tai Sin Temple is its five-element architectural layout, where the Flying Phoenix Terrace, Scripture Hall, Jade Liquid Pond, Incense Pavilion, and Mirror Wall each represent the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.
What activities are there at Wong Tai Sin Temple during the Spring Festival? It is reported that on the first day of the Lunar New Year, there is an activity to snatch the first incense, which has now become a customary practice during the Spring Festival in Hong Kong.
According to the text in "The Self-Narration of Chi Song Zi", Wong Tai Sin was originally named Huang Chuping, born around AD 328 in Lanxi City, Jinhua County, Zhejiang Province. At the age of 15, he began studying Taoism, and 40 years later, when his brother went to the mountains to find him, he found that he could turn a stone into a sheep. From then on, the two brothers cultivated together and both became immortals. Due to Huang Chuping's retreat in Chi Song Mountain for cultivation, he is also known as "Chi Song Immortal". A notable feature of Wong Tai Sin Temple is its five-element architectural layout, with the previously mentioned elements. The temple also features other structures rich in Chinese traditional colors, such as the Three Saints Hall, Main Hall, and Congxin Garden.
Transport Route: From MTR Wong Tai Sin Station Exit B2, turn left and walk for about 3 minutes to reach the temple.
Sha Tin Che Kung Temple
Originally a temple with a history of 300 years, the current appearance was reconstructed in 1994. It is said that villagers believed Che Kung could protect them from floods and plagues, thus they built this temple.
It is said that Che Kung was a great general during the Song Dynasty (AD 960 to 1279), who quelled a rebellion in South China. During the late Southern Song period, when Emperor Bing of Song fled south, General Che protected him to Hong Kong and stationed in Sai Kung. He was later revered as a deity in Taoism, and a temple was built in his honor.
Travel Guide to Sha Tin Che Kung Temple: The main hall features a magnificent statue of Che Kung; there are bell and drum towers on either side; stalls for interpreting lots can be found along the corridor on the left side of the temple.
Spring Festival Blessing Activities at Sha Tin Che Kung Temple: The second day of the Lunar New Year is Che Kung's birthday. During traditional Chi Kou (the third day of the Lunar New Year), many people flock to Che Kung Temple to pray for blessings. After worshiping Che Kung, devotees rotate the bronze windmill next to his statue to wish for good luck in the coming year.
Transport Route: From MTR Che Kung Temple Station Exit B, follow the signs for about a 10-minute walk to reach the temple.
Tai Po Lam Village Wishing Tree
Over 700 years ago, at the end of the Song Dynasty, local villagers settled in Tai Po Lam Village, where the Lam Village Wishing Tree later became a popular place for villagers to pray for blessings. During the Lunar New Year, many Hong Kong residents sincerely visit to wish for happiness and blessings for the new year.
The Origins of the Lam Village Wishing Tree
It is said that in the past, every festival, villagers would come to pray and offer wishes in front of the tree, tossing wish papers onto the wishing tree. The higher the toss, the easier it would be for wishes to come true. However, to protect the wishing tree, villagers have changed their methods. Now, people write their names and wishes on the wishing paper and, after sincerely praying beneath the tree, tie the paper onto a wooden frame next to the tree.
Tai Po Lam Village Tin Hau Temple
After making wishes in front of the wishing tree, people pass through the wishing corridor and see the Tin Hau Temple built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. According to legend, Tin Hau’s surname is Lam and her name is Mok; she had the ability to predict the weather since childhood and saved countless people during maritime disasters, so coastal villagers and fishermen built a temple to worship her, praying for favorable winds and rain.
Travel Features of the Tai Po Lam Village Tin Hau Temple: The temple is a two-entry type building, with the main hall dedicating to the Goddess Tin Hau. The sides feature the Civil and Military Halls and the Righteous Hall, where the Civil Hall venerates the God Wen Chang, and the Military Hall venerates the God Guan Yu, while the Righteous Hall honors 12 heroic martyrs.
Transport Route: At MTR Tai Po Market Station Exit A3, take bus number 64K or 64P and get off at the Fung Ma Po stop; from MTR Tai Wo Station Exit A, take green minibus number 25K to get off at the Lam Village Wishing Tree; or take a taxi from MTR Tai Wo Station Exit A.
Yuen Yuen Institute
Yuen Yuen Institute, located in Tsuen Wan, San Tsui Mountain, was established in 1950. It venerates Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, promoting the eight virtues of filial piety, respect for teachers and the Way, loyalty, adherence to etiquette, justice, integrity, and honor.
Travel Features of Yuen Yuen Institute
At Yuen Yuen Institute, devotees can pray and visit the exhibition halls. There are many unique attractions within the institute, but the most notable are the replica of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and the Museum of Natural Rock Sculptures of the twelve Chinese zodiac signs.
Special Vegetarian Meals
There is an elegant and serene vegetarian hall where visitors can try delicious vegetarian food.
Spring Travel Activities at Yuen Yuen Institute: Every spring, Yuen Yuen Institute holds a horticultural exhibition, where visitors can tour the institute.
Transport Route: From MTR Tsuen Wan Station Exit B1, walk for 5 minutes to Tsiu Wo Street, then transfer to green minibus number 81 to reach Yuen Yuen Institute.
Man Mo Temple
The earliest Chinese temple built during the colonial period in Hong Kong, located in the bustling area of Sheung Wan. The temple features light smoke wafting and large incense burning endlessly, contrasting sharply with the bustling business district surrounding it. During the Spring Festival, many people like to visit the Man Mo Temple to light incense for their families and friends, praying for health, wealth, and happiness.
Introduction to Man Mo Temple: What deities does the Man Mo Temple enshrine? As the name suggests, the temple enshrines the God of Literature (Wen Di) and the God of War (Wu Di). Wen Di (Wen Chang) holds a writing brush and oversees literature and official appointments, while Wu Di (Guan Yu) is dressed in a green robe and holds a long sword representing loyalty and righteousness. In addition to Wen and Wu, the temple also worships Bao Gong and the City God, and there are two historical artifacts in the temple that are over a hundred years old (a bronze bell from the Qing Dynasty's Daoguang period, 1847, and a sedan chair made in 1862), which visitors should pay attention to.
Activities at Man Mo Temple: Every autumn, Man Mo Temple holds a grand autumn festival to express gratitude to Wen and Wu and pray for blessings for Hong Kong residents.
Transport Route: At MTR Admiralty Station Exit F, take bus number 26 outside Pacific Place and get off at the Man Mo Temple – Hollywood Road stop.
Self-driving Route: Turn right from MTR Central Station Exit D2 to Theatre Lane, walk along Queen's Road Central towards Central Centre, and then take the Central to Mid-Levels escalator. Alternatively, from MTR Sheung Wan Station Exit A2, walk along Hillier Street to turn right onto Queen's Road Central and continue walking up the Staircase Street beside Lok Ku Road for about 5 minutes to reach Hollywood Road.