Wong Tai Sin Temple Tour - The most ancient temple in "Fragrant Harbor"

Entering the brilliant red gate, visitors will be welcomed by the incense and the ringing bells. The temple's sophisticated architecture is a harmonious combination of ancient Chinese style and modern Hong Kong 's characteristics . Every corner, from the curved roof tiles to the meticulously carved reliefs, carries within it the story of faith, hope and perseverance of the people here over the centuries. Join Vietravel to explore Wong Tai Sin Temple right through the article below!

1. A few words about Wong Tai Sin Temple

Wong Tai Sin Temple is one of the most sacred temples in Hong Kong (Photo source: Collected)

Wong Tai Sin Temple, also known as Wong Tai Sin Temple, is one of the most sacred temples in Hong Kong, famous for its unique blend of three major religions: Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. The name "Wong Tai Sin" means "Great Immortal Emperor", referring to the deity worshiped here, a famous monk named Huang Chu-ping. The temple is located on an area of 18,000m² at No. 2 Chuk Yuen Village, Wong Tai Sin District, Kowloon.
Built in 1921, Wong Tai Sin Temple has a unique architecture with sophisticated lines and vibrant colors, reflecting a harmonious blend of traditional cultural elements. The temple is not only a place of worship but also a spiritual destination, attracting many people and tourists to pray, ask for fortunes and seek peace. People believe that Wong Tai Sin is a benevolent god, capable of healing and blessing those who pray sincerely.
Every year, Wong Tai Sin Temple holds many traditional festivals, the most prominent of which is the celebration of Wong Tai Sin's birthday. During these days, the temple is lavishly decorated, attracting thousands of people to participate in cultural and artistic activities and enjoy local specialties.

2. How to get to Wong Tai Sin Temple

To get to Wong Tai Sin Temple, visitors can choose from a variety of public transportation options. The easiest way is to use the MRT. From Wong Tai Sin Station, you only need to walk about 3 minutes through Exit 2 to reach the temple gate. In addition to the MRT, you can also use the city buses.

3. Unique experiences at Wong Tai Sin Temple

3.1. Admire the exquisite architecture of the temple

Unique architecture of the temple (Photo source: Collected)

Wong Tai Sin Temple is an architectural masterpiece, converging the quintessence of traditional oriental construction art. The temple is like a vivid picture with the main color red, symbolizing luck and prosperity. The golden dome, sparkling in the sunlight, looks like a giant crown covering the entire temple. The crimson pillars, intricately carved, stand tall like warriors protecting the temple.
Together with the red and blue of the baked bricks and the yellow of the mesh, it creates a harmonious whole, bringing a sense of peace and relaxation. The dragon, phoenix and lotus motifs are elaborately carved on the walls and pillars, not only for decorative purposes but also to express the legendary stories of the gods.
The temple was built according to Feng Shui principles, with the main direction facing south, receiving the abundant vitality of heaven and earth. The harmonious combination of the elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth has created a sacred space, helping people feel close to nature and find balance in their souls.

3.2. Visit the small shrines around the temple

Temples around Wong Tai Sin Temple (Photo source: Collected)

Surrounding the main Wong Tai Sin Temple is a system of small shrines and beautiful gardens, creating a harmonious and unique architectural complex. Particularly prominent is the Unicorm Hall Wishing Garden, an architectural masterpiece built in 1991 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Wong Tai Sin Temple.
With its intricately carved windows and walls decorated with intricate patterns, the Unicorn Hall garden resembles a fairy tale. The curved bridge over the carp pond is reminiscent of the famous Jade Flower Bridge of Beijing’s Summer Palace. Images of unicorns – a mythical creature symbolizing luck and good fortune – appear everywhere in the garden, giving visitors a truly special feeling.

3.3. Pray for good luck when visiting Wong Tai Sin Temple

Many tourists come to Wong Tai Sin Temple to pray for wealth and peace every year (Photo source: Collected)

What makes Wong Tai Sin Temple famous is that it attracts a large number of people and tourists from all over to pray for good luck. From businessmen who wish for prosperity in their business to young people who seek smooth love life. All come here in the hope of receiving protection and support from the gods. Not just a tourist destination, Wong Tai Sin Temple is also considered a place where the spiritual beliefs and traditional religious culture of Hong Kong people are strongly and deeply expressed.
All activities related to apologizing or repaying the gods take place at the main altar, where Wong Tai Sin is worshiped. Every day, many people come here to burn incense, make offerings, and pray for good things. The main altar is the center of Taoist rituals, and every believer who comes here can feel the solemnity and reverence for the saint they are praying to.

3.4. Visit the Nine Dragon Wall

The Nine Dragon Wall adds to the majesty of Wong Tai Sin Temple (Photo source: Collected)

The Nine Dragon Wall is a giant work of art, built in 1971, located in the Wong Tai Sin Temple. With a length of dozens of meters and an impressive height, the wall is like a living history book, recording the legends and beliefs of the Chinese people.
The mural depicts nine graceful dragons soaring against a backdrop of deep blue clouds. Each dragon has its own unique beauty, with sharp horns, bright eyes, and muscular bodies. The wall is made up of millions of colorful ceramic tiles, skillfully arranged by artisans to create intricate patterns. The sunlight shines down on the wall, making the ceramic tiles sparkle like stars, creating a magical, shimmering scene.
The image of nine dragons symbolizes strength, power and prosperity. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a sacred creature, bringing luck and fortune to those who admire it. The Nine Dragons Wall is not only a unique work of art but also a symbol of the quintessence of Chinese culture.

3.5. Strolling around the 12 zodiac garden

Zodiac Garden at Wong Tai Sin Temple (Photo source: Collected)

The Garden of the 12 Zodiac Animals is one of the highlights of Wong Tai Sin Temple, attracting many visitors to visit and pray. Located in a cool green space, the garden is designed according to feng shui, with 12 zodiac statues arranged in the correct order of the yin and yang cycle. Each statue is exquisitely carved from stone or bronze, bringing a unique beauty and distinct spirit.
The Rat with its bright eyes and long beard symbolizes intelligence and agility. The Ox is slow but steady, representing diligence and hard work. The Tiger is brave and strong, symbolizing strength and protection. Each zodiac sign has its own meaning and is believed to bring luck and fortune to those who pray sincerely.

4. Notes when traveling to Wong Tai Sin Temple

Some notes before you travel to Wong Tai Sin Temple:

Opening Hours: Wong Tai Sin Temple is open daily from 7am to 5.30pm, suitable for both early morning or late afternoon visits.
Entrance fee: Each tourist only needs to pay 2 Hong Kong dollars for the entrance ticket, which is quite cheap compared to the spiritual and cultural experiences that visitors will receive.
Busiest times: The temple often becomes crowded and busy during major holidays and special days such as:
New Year: This is the time when Hong Kong people gather in large numbers to pray for a peaceful and lucky new year.
The birthday of the god Wong Tai Sin is on August 23 (lunar calendar).
Weekends and the 1st and 15th of each lunar month are when people often come here to offer sacrifices and pray.
To avoid these crowded times, visitors should time their visit appropriately, especially if they want a quieter and more private experience.
Note for people with allergies or asthma: There is quite a lot of smoke in the temple from burning incense, so if you are allergic to smoke or have respiratory problems such as asthma, avoid going inside the temple. You can choose to visit the outside and admire the architecture of the temple, while still ensuring your health.

At the end of the Wong Tai Sin Temple tour, visitors will not only feel the ancient and sophisticated beauty of traditional Chinese architecture, but also have the opportunity to experience unique spiritual activities such as praying for luck or exploring the 12 zodiac garden. If you are looking for a destination that brings both peace of mind and helps you understand more about local culture, Wong Tai Sin Temple is definitely a great choice in your journey to explore the "Fragrant Harbor". Let's explore the temple with Vietravel today!

Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/du-lich-den-wong-tai-sin-v15744.aspx