5 temples in Hong Kong to visit
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Hong Kong is a beautiful city, and the temples in Hong Kong are part of the city’s beauty and culture. Hong Kong can be such a busy and stressful place. However, visiting a Hong Kong temple is one way to enjoy some calm and peace, even if not to worship. There are so many famous temples in Hong Kong which attract many people each year. But there are also more obscure temples besides the famous tourist spots worthy of a visit. The beautiful architecture and the tranquillity within is a respite from the hectic urban life of Hong Kong. For a moment of Zen and traditional culture away from busy city life, check out one of these temples in Hong Kong.
Buddhist temples in Hong Kong
Buddhism is one of the major religions in Hong Kong. Besides the well known Buddhist temples such as the one in Lantau Island, there are several less touristy ones worth discovering.
Tung Lin Kok Yuen
Tung Lin Kok Yuen is a Buddhist monastery situated in Happy Valley. It has 86 years of history and is the first ever Buddhist temple built on Hong Kong island. It is a declared monument, with red bricks on the exterior and some very Chinese style flying eaves. It will surely make you feel like taking a walk through history.
Address: 15 Shan Kwong Road, Happy Valley
Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery
The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery is another Buddhist temple in Hong Kong. Like her name suggests, there are indeed more than 10,000 Buddha statues inside the monastery. Their pagoda is nine stories tall. To visit, a quick hike of 15 to 30 minutes from Shatin MTR station will take you there. There will be several hundred steps of stairs, but it will be worthwhile to behold such an interesting monastery.
Address: 220 Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin
Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong
The Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong are very famous, too. Tin Hau is the Chinese goddess of the sea also known as Mazu. The people who lived near the coastal areas of Hong Kong would worship Tin Hau for blessings and good fortune. Due to reclamations, the Tin Hau temples are no longer situated near the seas.
Tin Hau Temple
Source: TMS
The Tin Hau Temple in Causeway Bay is conveniently just a 15-minute walk from Tin Hau MTR station. The Tin Hau Temple is so important to the area that it also shares its name with the road, the neighborhood and the MTR station. This temple is also a declared monument – the original building was built in 1747.
Address: 10 Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay
Stanley Tin Hau Temple
Stanley is a popular tourist attraction, from relaxing on Stanley Main Beach and dining in seaside restaurants to shopping on Main Street. Yet, not everyone knows about Stanley’s Tin Hau Temple. The temple was built during the Qing Dynasty. The temple doors were donated by a wealthy Szeto family in Stanley who were well known in the neighborhood many decades ago. Inside you will find a tiger fur framed and hung on the wall, originally shot by an Indian police officer long ago. There are so many interesting historical stories in Stanley waiting to be heard, and the temple is the perfect place to start.
Address: Stanley Main Street, Stanley
Hindu temples in China and Hong Kong
Hinduism is not a commonly practiced religion in China. Many Hindu places of worship were closed down during the Cultural Revolution in China. However, Hindus in China will rejoice to hear that the Chinese government now allows Hindu temples to be built. One primary example is in Foshan City in Guangdong Province.
Happy Valley Hindu Temple
In Hong Kong, Hinduism is a growing religion. The Happy Valley Hindu Temple is located opposite the Happy Valley Racecourse with a modest, but beautiful entrance. The coral colored exterior is solemn and peaceful. The temple itself faces the big green racecourse. This temple serves up to 100,000 Hindus, but it is open for those of all religious faiths. If you are interested in joining their religious worship ritual, they provide multiple worship times each day, including an aarti in which worshippers offer lights to deities.
Address: 1B Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley
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