Temples in Hong Kong

Chi Lin Nunnery

This nunnery is known for its bold architectural style and beautiful statues made from gold, clay, wood and stone.

Location: Located in Diamond Hill, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Type : Buddhist

Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree & Tin Hau Temple

This colourful tree seems to be quite different from most trees from far away. Only when you come closer will you understand why. The tree, located beside the Tin Hau Temple in Lam Tsuen, is covered in bright red paper.

Legend says that once, a man who had a slow learning son made a wish to the tree for his son to do better in his studies. After that the son performed a lot better at school. Since then many people come to the tree and write their wishes on bright red paper and throw it as high as they can into the tree for their wishes to come true.

Location: Northwest of Tai Po, New Territories

Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail

Lung Yeuk Tau Heritage Trail To take this trail is to delve back into Chinese history. Visitors should allow at least an hour to walk this two-kilometre path as it is replete with historical buildings and structures, some from the 12th century, others from the 16th century.

The walk takes in walled villages, ancestral halls, a study hall and a temple. Many belonged to the Tang Clan, the largest clan in the New Territories.

Location: Fanling Town, on the eastern part of the New Territories

Man Mo Temple (Hong Kong Island)

Hong Kong's oldest and most important temple was built in 1847 and is named after its two principal deities: Man, the god of literature, who is dressed in red and holds a calligraphy brush; and Mo, the god of war, wearing a green robe and holding a sword.

Funnily enough, Mo finds patronage from both the police force and triad secret societies. Two ornately carved sedan chairs in the temple were once used during festivals to carry the statues of the gods. There are giant incense coils hanging from the ceiling, purchased by temple-goers and these burn as long as three weeks.

Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 18:00
Location: Hollywood Road, in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island
Type : Buddhist
Tour Available: Half Day Hong Kong Island Tour

Man Mo Temple (New Territories)

The compact Man Mo temple was built in 1891 as a place of devotion for Man, the god of literature, and Mo – the god of war. There are other temples under this name throughout China and even one on Hong Kong Island. Huge incense coils hang from the temple's ceiling that burn up to three weeks nonstop, leaving a heady scent and an exotic atmosphere.

Devotees burn paper houses, servants, cars and other luxuries for their relatives who have passed away (in the belief that the items can be used by them in the next life.) Many elderly people use the temple grounds as a socializing venue and play mahjong while others while away the afternoon in conversation.

Location: Tai Po Town, northeast New Territories

Pak Tai Temple

Built in 1783, Pak Tai Temple is dedicated to Pak Tai, the God of the Sea who is revered among the local fishing community as their protector. The building is a traditional Chinese structure with beautiful ceramic tiles and roof as well as animal images such as guardian lion stones.

It has large images of two Tao generals; Thousand Li-Eye and Favourable Wind Ear who were said to be able to see and hear anything, even at a distance. This temple is the central location of the Hong Kong's famous yearly event called the Bun Festival (or Ching Chiu in Cantonese), held each spring.

Location: A short distance to the left of the ferry pier, Cheung Chau

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Clambering up over 400 steps to see the Monastery of 10,000 Buddhas might take a bit of an effort but it is really worth it. Alongside the steps leading up to the temple, there are golden life-sized Buddhas peppered over the hillside.

At the top there is a pagoda that has many Buddha images of all shapes and sizes. All in all, there are over 13,000 Buddha images here and the view from the top is panoramic. A small vegetarian restaurant operates nearby the monastery. 

Opening Hours: Daily from 09:00 – 17:30
Location: Sha Tin Town, on the eastern part of the New Territories

Tin Hau Temples

About 60 temples across Hong Kong are dedicated, at least in part, to Tin Hau. On Hong Kong Island, they include one in the Tin Hau area, just east of Victoria Park, and one in Stanley district. On the Kowloon side, the Tin Hau temple in Yau Ma Tei is most famous: the square in front of it turns into the Temple Street Market at night.

In addition, there are: four Tin Hau temples on Cheung Chau Island; one temple on Peng Chau Island; one on Ping Chau Island; one Tin Hau temple on Sai Kung Peninsula, and one on Tsing Yi Island in the New Territories. However, the Tin Hau Temple at Tai Miu Wan (Joss House Bay) is considered the most sacred.