China is a nation that has consistently garnered the fascination of the rest of the world, with its unique culture and captivating history. China’s heritage spans back thousands of years, and the presence of the ancient civilisations that have existed is still felt throughout the country with the presence of various works of architecture. The Wong Tai Sin Temple is a fairly new addition, yet blends right in with these ancient monuments. It is situated in Hong Kong, creating a beautifully contrasting sight as it is situated among various hotels in Kowloon Hong Kong has to offer such as the Dorsett Mongkok Hong Kong.
The temple’s namesake ‘Wong Tai Sin’ is a Chinese deity associated with healing. Leung Renyan was a medicine man who worked to spread the influence of Wong Tai Sin, and eventually set up a shop with an altar for Wong Tai Sin. Leung Renyan’s practices proved effective and visitors to his shop began to increase exponentially.
After his shop was destroyed in a fire in 1918, Leung claimed he got a message from Wong Tai Sin himself, requesting him to build a new shrine. The temple was built according to very specific instructions that were given by Wong Tai Sin himself as well as Wenchang Dijun, the Taoist god of literature. The temple was completed sometime around 1925, but was only opened to the public in 1956.
The temple is popular for its practice of kau cim, which translates into ‘lottery poetry’. It is believed that through this practice, people can communicate with the deities and the deities will respond through the use of fortune sticks and corresponding oracles.
If you ever find yourself in Hong Kong, this temple is an essential visit since you can observe some breath-taking cultural architecture, explore China’s heritage, and maybe even delve into your own future.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.