Wong Tai Sin Temple

The Taoist temple, Wong Tai Sin at Chuk Yuen Village in Kowloon area of Hong Kong SAR is the busiest and most visited temples with more than ten thousand visitors a day. It is believed that Themain deity Wong Tai Sin, also known as Huang Chu-ping, heals the wounded persons, save the life of the dying. The God here is worshipped by not only the sick but by people with business related issues as well.

The temple is built in Chinese style and provides a peaceful environment amongst the surrounding high rise buildings.

According to legend, a shepherd boy was born in 328 AD to a poor familyLan Xi City of Jin Hua County in Zhejiang Province on the eastern coast of mainland China.A fairy has taught him how to refine cinnabar into medicine which can cure all illness when he was just 15 years old.  The boy was in seclusion for forty years learning this art.  Once his brother recognized him and while speaking he asked the whereabouts of the herds of sheep.  Wong Tai Sin taken him to a mountain and pointed into the distance and shouted at the rocks of white colour.  The white rocks turned into herds of sheep. Wong Cho Hei was very much impressed seeing this miracle.  Later on he joined with his brother in practising Tao and both later became deities. 
In the year 1915 a portrait of Wong Tai Sin has been bough to a small temple in Wan Chai.  In 1921 as per the divine guidance from Wong Tai Sin, the portrait was shifted to the current temple.Until 1934 the temple was a private shrine for Pu Yi Tan Taoists  thereafter it was opened to public for at the Lunar New Year.
During Japanese occupation in World War II, though there were wide destructions but the temple was survived.The main hall of the worship was built in between 1969 and 1973. It was rebuilt when the underground Tai Sui Yuenchen Hall was built in 2008 and 2011.
In the middle of the main altar, a portrait of Wong Tai Sin is placed and wooden sculptures behind the altar depict the story of how Wong Tai Sin became a god. Buddhist,Taoist and Confucian scriptures and images are engraved on the walls of the temple.The temple construction is in traditional Chinese style with gold calligraphyand large red pillars, yellow tiled roof andmulti-coloured carvings.  To the right of the altar, a statue of the Monkey King is placed for protection.

Worshipping "Rules" 

Worshippers are advised to proceed first to the designated incense burning area which is close to the Secondary Worshipping Platform next to the Benevolence Preaching Gallery.  Worshippers are allowed only nine incense sticks into the temple. Three sticks can be offered at each of the three offering areas in front of the Main Altar, Three Saints Hall and Yue Hung Shrine. 

There is a dedicated fixed one way path around the complex for visitors.  However, it is strictly implemented when there is rush period like Chinese new year.

Opening Hours – The temple timing is from 7am till 5:30pm daily.  The Tai Sui Yuenchen Hall opens from 8am to 5pm daily and the Good Wish Garden opens from 9am to 5pm daily.

Admission – Entry to the temple is absolutely free.  But for the Tai Sui Yuenchen Hall, a fee of HK$100 is charged.