Kowloon Attractions
Description
Venue: Wong Tai Sin Temple When: Daily
Decorated in a riot of colours, Wong Tai Sin is an excellent example of a traditional Chinese temple and its history is as colourful as the building itself. The sacred grounds are most busy during Chinese New Year and on Wong Tai Sin's birthday (the 23rd day of the eighth lunar month).
Legends say that Wong Tai Sin was a shepherd boy living in a part of Zhejiang Province called Red Pine Hill. When he was only 15 he was taught by an immortal the art of refining cinnabar into a medicine that was said to cure all illnesses. He spent the next 40 years living in seclusion until he was found by his brother, who had spent all those years searching for him and the sheep in his care.
Wong Tai Sin was also said to have changed some white boulders into sheep to replace those he had lost. This feat is represented in the temple by two large gilded carvings of sheep. Today he is worshipped by those with health concerns, and also by those with business problems, who come to seek his advice. The temple is also a community centre and general meeting point.
Unique details of the temple include red pillars, a golden roof adorned with blue friezes, yellow latticework and multicoloured carvings. A traditionally carved granite archway separates the two terraces, while the main hall is surrounded by doors and windows. Worshippers gather in the front courtyard. Other temples in the grounds are dedicated to Buddha and Confucius. Devotees bow and pray for good fortune before huge brass urns, with smouldering incense that creates a fog of fragrant, heaven-bound smoke.
Most of the people visiting the temple are there to have their fortunes told. The temple has the largest arcade of fortune tellers in Asia, some of whom speak English - and the person reading your palm and face may well be an investment banker by day.
Decorated in a riot of colours, Wong Tai Sin is an excellent example of a traditional Chinese temple and its history is as colourful as the building itself. The sacred grounds are most busy during Chinese New Year and on Wong Tai Sin's birthday (the 23rd day of the eighth lunar month).
Legends say that Wong Tai Sin was a shepherd boy living in a part of Zhejiang Province called Red Pine Hill. When he was only 15 he was taught by an immortal the art of refining cinnabar into a medicine that was said to cure all illnesses. He spent the next 40 years living in seclusion until he was found by his brother, who had spent all those years searching for him and the sheep in his care.
Wong Tai Sin was also said to have changed some white boulders into sheep to replace those he had lost. This feat is represented in the temple by two large gilded carvings of sheep. Today he is worshipped by those with health concerns, and also by those with business problems, who come to seek his advice. The temple is also a community centre and general meeting point.
Unique details of the temple include red pillars, a golden roof adorned with blue friezes, yellow latticework and multicoloured carvings. A traditionally carved granite archway separates the two terraces, while the main hall is surrounded by doors and windows. Worshippers gather in the front courtyard. Other temples in the grounds are dedicated to Buddha and Confucius. Devotees bow and pray for good fortune before huge brass urns, with smouldering incense that creates a fog of fragrant, heaven-bound smoke.
Most of the people visiting the temple are there to have their fortunes told. The temple has the largest arcade of fortune tellers in Asia, some of whom speak English - and the person reading your palm and face may well be an investment banker by day.
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Looking for things to do around Kowloon? Here are some of the events and attractions happening in the area.
| Chinese New Year Celebrations in Hong Kong |
Jan - Feb 2009 (annual) Tsim Sha Tsui |
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