Find welcome tranquility amid the busy commercial streets of Wan Chai when you visit the Hung Shing Temple. Peruse the elaborate decorations that adorn the exterior of the temple. Watch as devotees come to lay offerings and say prayers to Hung Shing, the god of fishermen and sea traders in Chinese folk religion.
The site originally had a modest shrine positioned on rocks located on the shoreline of Victoria Harbour. A temple was constructed in the mid 1800s, with a renovation in 2015. The original waterfront location was appropriate for the deity’s protection of seafarers. Notice how land reclamation has gradually changed the geography so that the temple is now about 2,000 feet (600 meters) inland.
Take time to study the typical 19th-century Chinese temple architectural style. The gray brick walls of the exterior were built using rocks taken from the nearby hillside. Note the sculptures of deities and mythological creatures that adorn the roof. Some of these pottery items are Shiwan ware from Guangdong. Supporting the roof is a row of four stone columns, which are decorated with carvings and Chinese characters.
Staircases lead from either side of the temple’s porch to the main entrance, which is lined by wooden benches and inscribed signs. Deity figurines, icons and objects of worship add color to the interior.
Get insights into Chinese folk religion by watching as devotees come to worship Hung Shing. A lively celebration of the deity takes place on the 13th day of the second month of the lunar calendar.
The temple is a 5-minute walk from the Wan Chai subway station. You can also travel here via public bus. Visit other nearby attractions including Pak Tai Temple and Tai Yuen Street’s toy stores.
Hung Shing Temple is open daily and admission is free. Visit the temple as part of the Wan Chai Heritage Trail. This 2-mile-long (3-kilometer) route highlights the eclectic architectural styles of one of Hong Kong’s oldest settlements.
