A Man Mo Miu or Man Mo Temple is a religious site dedicated to worshipping two completely different gods- Kwang Yu, the god of war and valour, and Man Cheong, the god of literature. In fact, the phrase ‘Man Mo’ literally means ‘civil’ and ‘military’. These temples are found throughout China and were patronized by students and scholars during the Qing and Ming Dynasties. During the 1900s locals used the temples to settle disputes that could not be resolved under British law. As part of the ritual a promise was made before the gods which could not be broken for fear of angering the gods. While the temples may no longer be used to settle disputes they still draw large numbers of devotees who pray for a change in their fortunes.
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There are a few Man Mo Temples in Hong Kong. The largest and most popular among them is the Man Mo Temple located along Hollywood Road. Created in 1847, the temple is part of a complex that consists of three neighbouring blocks- the Man Mo Temple, the Kung So and the Lit Shing Temple. Images of Man Cheong dressed in green and holding a writer’s brush, and Kwan Yu, dressed in red and carrying a sword, are enshrined inside the temple.
The temple is a gorgeous example of Chinese architecture and visitors are bound to enjoy the intricate carvings found inside. A number of fortune tellers can be found lined up outside the temple. It is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm and is a declared monument. Another Man Mo Temple worth visiting is situated in Tai Po’s Fu Shin Street and was constructed in 1893 to commemorate the opening of Tai Wo Shi (more commonly referred to as the Tai Po Market). It is also one of Hong Kong’s declared monuments.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and a beloved tourist destination. The city boasts a good public transport system that can help foreigners move around with relative ease. Tourists looking for centrally located hotels in Hong Kong can try the Eaton Hotel Hong Kong. The luxury hotel Hong Kong is situated at the centre of the city’s business district and is a short walk from the Jordan MRT Station, making it the ideal place to stay.