If you have a long-standing wish that's yet to come true, perhaps the place to visit is the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple where, provided you make an earnest plea to the gods, "every wish can come true" - or so it is said.

 

But even if you don't get your wish and win a million in the lottery, this temple complex in the heart of urban Kowloon is still well worth a visit.

 

Covering 18,000 square metres and located in a tranquil natural setting remote from the nearby housing estates and the bustle of their streets, the temple is, apart from being an important religious centre, a scenic attraction full of beautifully ornamented traditional buildings.

 

 

It commemorates the famous monk of yore Wong Tai Sin (also known as Huang Chu-ping), who was born around AD 328 and became a deity at Heng Shan (Red Pine Hill) in his later life.

 

In 1915, a Taoist priest, Liang Ren-an, brought a sacred portrait of Wong Tai Sin from Guangdong in Southern China to Hong Kong. It was only fitting therefore that this magnificent temple be built and dedicated to this honoured divinity revered down the ages for his benevolence.

 

In perpetuation of such an unselfish philosophy, the temple preaches three traditional religions - Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.

 

 

The major feature is the Main Altar where the portrait of Wong Tai Sin is hung. Here believers go to pray for divine guidance and good fortune. Another place of great significance is the Three Saints Hall, where the deities Lu Zu, Guan Yin and Guan Di are worshipped.

 

Other important fixtures include the Bronze Pavilion (females excluded), the Archives Hall, the Earthly Fountain, the Yue Hing Shrine where the Buddha of the Lighted Lamp is worshipped, the Unicorn (Confucian) Hall where Confucius is worshipped, and the extravagantly colourful Good Wish Garden that is lavishly decorated with many exotic examples of Chinoiserie. There is a small entrance fee to these areas, which are open from 9am to 4pm daily, apart from Monday. Other areas of the temple are open daily from 7am to 5:30pm.

 

 

How to get there:

 

Wong Tai Sin MTR Exit B2 or B3.

 

 

(discoverhongkong.com)