The Top Five Temples in

Hidden in lush hills and wedged between shining skyscrapers, Hong Kong’s temples are active places of worship and the focal point of the city’s festivals for hundreds of years. Visit them to see faithful devotees and local deities performing ancient rituals amid aromatic wafts of incense.

 Tin Hau Temple and Wishing Trees in Lam Tsuen

Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea, is revered by fishermen and anyone whose life and destiny is tied to the sea. Temples that honour her are found in abundance in Chinese coastal communities throughout Asia. Hong Kong is no exception. The Tin Hau Temple in Lam Tsuen, along with two nearby wishing trees, attracts visitors to this part of Tai Po, which has been a residential area for about 700 years. Traditionally, festival visitors jot down their wishes on joss paper and tie it to an orange, which was then tossed up towards one of the banyan tree’s highest boughs – the higher the branch the better the odds of your wish coming true! Now to help preserve the trees and visitors could only tie wishes to a faked tree nearby instead. The temple was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736–1796) of the Qing dynasty. The main palace of the two-hall structure is dedicated to Tin Hau, while on one side of the main palace stands Man Mo Hall, dedicated to both the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo). On the other side is the Temple for Justice, built in honour of 12 noble-hearted men who protected the Lam Tsuen villages during less peaceful times.

How to get there? From Regal Riverside Hotel: Take the MTR from Shatin Wai Station and get off at Tai Wo Station, and then take a taxi.

From Regal Hotel: Take the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui East Station and get off at Tai Wo Station, and then take a taxi.

From Regal Oriental Hotel: Take a mini bus to Kowloon Tong MTR Station,

and change to MTR. Get off at Tai Wo Station, then get a taxi.

 The Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

The remote Po Lin Monastery, hidden away by lush mountains, became a popular attraction when the extraordinary Tian Tan Buddha statue (informally known as the Big Buddha) was erected in 1993. Sitting 34 metres high and facing north to look over the Chinese people, this majestic bronze Buddha draws pilgrims from all over Asia. The eyes, lips, incline of the head and right hand, which is raised to deliver a blessing to all, combine to bring a humbling depth of character and dignity to the massive Buddha, which took 12 years to complete. Climb the 268 steps for a closer look at this remarkable statue, and to enjoy the sweeping mountain and sea views that can be seen from its base.

Opposite the statue, the Po Lin Monastery is one of Hong Kong’s most important Buddhist sanctums and has been dubbed ‘the Buddhist World in the South’. Home to many a devout monk, this monastery is rich with colourful manifestations of Buddhist iconography and its pleasant garden is alive with birdsong and flowery scents. You can also enjoy a meal at its popular vegetarian restaurant.

How to get there? From Regal Airport Hotel: Take the hotel shuttle bus to , then take Ngong Ping Cable Car, which takes around 25 minutes. Then walk for around 10 minutes to the Monastery.

From Regal Hongkong Hotel: Take the MTR from Station to MTR Tung Chung Station Exit B, then take Ngong Ping Cable Car, which takes around 25 minutes. Then walk for around

10 minutes to the Monastery.

From iclub Sheung Wan Hotel: Take taxi to Central Pier 6, the catch ferry to . After that take New Lantau Bus 2 to Ngong Ping Village.

 Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Tsz) is a Buddhist temple situated in Shatin. It is not an actual monastery as there are no resident monks and is managed by laypersons. In 1951, Venerable Yuet Kai, a devout Buddhist layman founded the Monastery. Despite his old age, Yuet Kai carried the buildings materials personally from the foot of the mountain together with his disciples to build the monastery. It took eight years to complete all the buildings and another ten years to finish the 12,800 Buddha statues. Construction was finished in 1957. Today, his preserved body is presented in the main hall of the monastery in a glass case. The Main Temple and the Pagoda of the Monastery are graded as Grade III Historic Buildings due to their historic significance. The main journey up to the monastery is an attraction itself, as the path is lined on both sides with golden Buddhas, each unique and in different poses.

How to get there? From Regal Riverside Hotel: Take a mini bus to Sha Tin MTR Station and get off at Pai Tau Village. Take the left onto Pai Tau St, and turn right onto Sheung Wo Che St. At the end of this road, a series of signs in English will direct you to the left along a concrete path and through bamboo groves to the first of some 400 steps leading up to the temple.

From Regal Airport Hotel:

Take the Bus E42 to Shatin, and get off at Shatin Central Bus Terminal. Then walk to Shatin MTR Station exit B

direction, and walk down the ramp, passing a series of passing a series of traditional houses at Pai Tau village on the left. Take the left onto Pai Tau St, and turn right onto Sheung Wo Che St. At the end of this road, a series of signs in English will direct you to the left along a concrete path and through bamboo groves to the first of some 400 steps leading up to the temple.

From Regal Kowloon Hotel: Take the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui East Station towards Shatin MTR Station. Take exit B, and and walk down the ramp, passing a series of passing a series of traditional houses at Pai Tau village on the left. Take the left onto Pai Tau St, and turn right onto Sheung Wo

Che St. At the end of this road, follow the signs to a concrete path and through bamboo groves to the first

of some 400 steps leading up to the temple.

and Nan Lian Garden

Established in 1934 and renovated in Tang dynasty style (AD 618–907) in 1990, the Chi Lin Nunnery is a large temple complex of elegant wooden architecture, treasured Buddhist relics and soul-soothing lotus ponds. The complex also includes a series of temple halls, some of which contain gold, clay and wooden statues representing divinities such as the Sakyamuni Buddha and bodhisattvas. Cutting through ’s myriad of high-rise apartments is the tranquil Nan Lian Garden, a public park also built in the style of the Tang dynasty. Its scenic garden is meticulously landscaped over an area of 3.5 hectares, in which every hill, rock, body of water, plant and timber structure has been placed according to specific rules and methods. There are permanent exhibitions of Chinese timber architecture, rocks and potted plants, while the hungry might want to try the vegetarian restaurant or teahouse.

How to get there? From Regal Oriental Hotel: Take a taxi for around 8 mins drive.

From Regal Kowloon Hotel: Take the MTR from , and get off at MTR Exit C2, follow the signs and walk for around five minutes.

From iclub Fortress Hill Hotel: Take the MTR from Fortress Hill Station, and get off at Diamond Hill Station Exit C2, follow the signs and walk for around five minutes.

 Sik Sik Yuen Temple

The Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple’s claim to ‘make every wish come true upon request’ might have something to do with its popularity. Home to three religions (, Buddhism and Confucianism), its natural setting and beautifully ornamented buildings make it as much a scenic attraction as an important religious centre. The temple commemorates the famous monk of yore, Wong Tai Sin (also known as Chu-ping), who was born in the Fourth century and became a deity at Heng Shan (Red Pine Hill). In 1915, Taoist priest Liang Ren-an carried a sacred portrait of Wong Tai Sin from in southern to Hong Kong. Now housing this precious portrait, the Wong Tai Sin Temple is where worshippers pray for good fortune through offerings, divine guidance and fortune telling.

How to get there? From Regal Oriental Hotel: Take a taxi for around 8 mins drive.

From Regal Kowloon Hotel: Take the MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui Station, and get off at MTR , Exit B2, walk for about three minutes.

From iclub Hotel: Take the MTR from Wan Chai Station, and get off at Diamond Hill Station Exit C2, follow the signs and walk for around five minutes.

The Temples within walking distance from Regal Hotels

Temple

There are two conflicting legends explaining the origins of this temple, which was built in 1730. One says it was constructed to commemorate Hau Wong (Marquis Prince) Yeung Leung-jit, a Chinese general who helped the last emperor of the Song dynasty (960–1279) escape a sticky fate at the hands of invading forces by providing him refuge in Kowloon. The other alleges that the temple was dedicated to a local inhabitant who cured the Song emperor of an illness. However, it appears the tale of Hau Wong has triumphed, as the main hall facing the temple’s entrance houses his image. The temple also carries a wealth of cultural artefacts, including groups of reliefs on the walls, an iron incense burner dedicated to Hau Wong, Chinese calligraphy and a number of plaques. The complex includes a small garden which has walls decorated with brightly coloured figurines made from Shek Wan pottery, and the temple has been listed as a Grade I historical building.

How to get there? From Regal Oriental Hotel: Within 10 mins walk.

Temple at Sha Tin

This temple located in the area of Sha Tin honours Che Kung, a military commander of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279) whose advantageous power for suppressing uprisings and plagues made him a household name. In popular folklore, it’s said that Che Kung escorted the Song dynasty’s last emperor on his escape to Sai Kung in what is now called the New Territories. His achievements led to him eventually becoming revered as a god. The original temple was built here around 300 years ago in a desperate move to stop an epidemic that was spreading across the Sha Tin area. According to legend, the epidemic began to subside on the day construction was completed. The structure you see today was erected in 1993 to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers during Che Kung’s festival, which happens on the second day of the . A giant statue of Che Kung can be found at the altar in the main worship hall, while the main altar is also flanked by a huge drum and bell. Next to this is a fan-bladed wheel of fortune, which, the faithful believe, will bring good luck when spun three times.

How to get there? From Regal Riverside Hotel: Within 10 mins walk.

Temple at Wan Chai

This temple started out as an altar built on a rock that stood on what used to be the shoreline, since Hung Shing is the deity who provides protection at sea, worshipped by fishermen, farmers and sea traders. Over the years, land reclamation has ‘pushed’ the temple farther inland. Estimated to be built between 1847 and 1852, it underwent its first renovation in 2015. Despite the dramatic changes to the city around it, the temple is still used by worshippers and provides visitors with an interesting insight into ancient Chinese folk religion.

How to get there? From iclub Wan Chai Hotel: Within 10 mins walk.

 Tin Hau Temple at Tin Hau

The Tin Hau Temple nearby of iclub Fortress Hill Hotel in Causeway Bay is one of the Tin Hau Temples in Hong Kong. It is located at Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay, East of Victoria Park, in Eastern District, on . The temple was built probably in the early 18th century by the Tai family, a family of Hakkas from Guangdong, who first settled in Kowloon.

How to get there? From iclub Fortress Hill Hotel: Within 10 mins walk.

 Man Mo Temple

The Man Mo Temple is a picturesque tribute to the God of Literature (Man) and the God of War (Mo), both of whom were worshipped by ambitious students looking to succeed in the civil examinations of Imperial China. Built in 1847, this remains the largest Man Mo temple in Hong Kong. To pause for a moment’s respite under its giant hanging incense coils makes for a pleasant contrast with the hectic pace of the nearby financial district. Man Mo Temple is part of a complex that also includes the areas Lit Shing Kung and Kung Sor. Lit Shing Kung was created for the worship of all heavenly gods, while Kung Sor, built to the temple’s west, was an important assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were often discussed and settled. In 1908, the temple was officially entrusted to the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. It was listed as a Grade I historic building in 2009 and is preserved as a Declared Monument.

How to get there? From iclub Sheung Wan Hotel: Walk along the East to Queen’s Road Central, turn left towards Central. Then take the Central—Mid-Levels Escalator to .