The Temple of the Queen of Heaven can be found in almost all of the Chinese cities along the coastal line. Not only in mainland China, but also in Macau and Hong Kong the same culture prevails. This is due to the belief held by Chinese people that worshipping the Queen of Heaven will result in a good voyage at sea. Therefore, most of these places of worship are built facing the ocean so that the blessings of the Queen can be showered upon the people going to the sea.
It is believed that the Tieban Queen of Heaven Temple was constructed by a well-known pirate. His aim had been to obtain God’s blessings at the time of the Jiaqing reign, which spanned between 1796 to 1820. The premise’s was renovated many times over the years to maintain its original charm. Work was done in 1868, 1919, 1949, 1979 and as recently as 1984. The sacred place is built based on a Fujian-style. There are fire walls and the interior is done with China fir.
Initially, the main entrance was built of a wooden wall, however later on this was changed. A brick wall replaced the original in order to protect it from being harmed by harsh weather and deterioration. There are a number of deities who are paid homage to at this holy place. Amongst them are the Queen of Heaven, the Emperor Huaguang, General Chen, Madam Linshui and also the God of Earth. When one visits this place it can be seen that both the altar and the statues are carved in great and intricate detail. The interior exudes of both a rustic yet a elegant atmosphere making one think of an era that is long gone by.
For the tourist exploring this temple and the many other historic sites in the country, there are many Greater China hotels in which they can stay. Some of the finest hotels in China include Millennium & Copthorne Hotels China. Irrespective of the reason for your travel to this far away land, there are many offers that a traveller can make use of at these establishments, which are sure to make your vacation an extra special one.