Appealing to a multitude of philosophies has helped make Wong Tai Sin Temple one of the most popular sites of worship in Hong Kong for visitors and locals alike. The temple is also known as Sik Sik Yuen and is frequented by people of the Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian faiths. Buy a book on the temple before visiting to help identify which iconography belongs to each faith when you arrive.
The temple is named for a fourth-century monk who became a Chinese deity in his 50s. After he achieved immortality he was given the name Wong Tai Sin. It wasn’t for another 16 centuries that Taoists travelled to Hong Kong with an important portrait of the monk and established the temple in his honour. Join worshippers who make the daily pilgrimage to the temple to give an offering, seek divine guidance or to look to the future.
At nearly 18,000 square metres (200,000 square feet), the temple occupies a large part of Kowloon. Pass beneath the high, triple-arched entrance to reach the Nine-Dragon Wall and the enormous main altar. Its steps are so wide that many visitors can stream through at a time. Take a photograph of the bold red altar against the blue sky to remember your visit. Those with an eye for design will notice the feng shui elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth that make up the structure.
Explore the Good Wish Garden to see footbridges, tiled roofs and a pond filled with fish and turtles. Watch on as worshippers practice kau cim before trying the ritual yourself. Kneel down to shake a cup of numbered sticks as you make a wish. When one falls out take it to a nearby fortune teller to have your fortune told and wait for your wish to come true.
Wong Tai Sin Temple is located on the Kowloon Peninsula approximately 7 kilometres (4 miles) north of Tsim Sha Tsui. It can be reached by train and a short walk. The temple is open daily and is free to enter.
