Hong Kong - Temples

For all beliefs

(photos of 2006-2009)

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Hong Kong has many places of worship, scattered among high-rises and even on sparsely inhabited islands (Wikipedia).

Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery

We start at the Big Buddha (or Tian Tan Buddha, Wikipedia), high up on Lantau Island (map, near the airport, by the top of a cable car). Completed in 1993, it is 34 meters tall and sits on its own hilltop.

The Big Buddha is flanked by elegant Buddhistic statues, and overlooks the extensive Po Lin Monastery (map).

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Wong Tai Sin is a Chinese deity with the power of healing. The Taoist temple in his honor (Wikipedia) is located in northern Kowloon (map) and is very popular among Hongkongers.

Kowloon's Tin Hau Temple

Kowloon's Tin Hau Temple (Wikipedia, map) is dedicated to Tin Hau, the goddess of the sea who protects fishermen and sailors (Tin Hau is the Cantonese name of Mazu, Wikipedia). Tens of Tin Hau temples, large and small, are scattered on the islands of Hong Kong.

Cheung Chau's Pak Tai Temple

Pak Tai is a Taoist God of the North (Wikipedia), worshipped in several temples around Hong Kong, including the following beautifully renovated temple on Cheung Chau Island (map).

Chi Lin Nunnery

The Buddhist Chi Lin Nunnery (Wikipedia) was founded in 1934 but was rebuilt (without metal nails) in 1990 in the style of Tang Dynasty architecture. Located in northern Kowloon (map), it has a relatively sober style (the third view below is a 360-degree scrollable panorama).

Shrines and tombs

Ubiquitous around Hong Kong are countless little shrines, like those shown in the next two pictures on the shore outside the colorful fishing village of Tai O (map). In fact, one can find individual shrines in most traditional houses, restaurants and shops.

As you hike around the islands and hills of Hong Kong, you see many family tombs in quiet places with beautiful views over the sea, such as those shown next on Lantau Island (map). Once a year, during the Ching Ming festival (as it is spelled in Hong Kong), families visit and tend to the tombs (Wikipedia).

The Jamia Mosque

Hong Kong has several mosques, an example of which is the Jamia Mosque built in 1849 (Wikipedia). It is located on Hong Kong Island between residential high-rises (next to the famous Mid-Levels Escalator, map).