Wong Tai Sin Temple: Hong Kong’s Wishing Well on Lion Rock

Regarded as a Grade II historic building due to itsthe multihued carvings and blue friezes in the
historic value, the Wong Tai Sin Temple is anstructure in addition to its bright golden roof which
expansive 18,000 square meter Taoist templecasts golden shadows across the landscape on
dedicated to the Great Immortal Wong. Ideallysunny days.
situated in northern Kowloon on the southernConsidered a hotspot for Taoist weddings in the
quarter of Lion Rock, this sprawling place ofrecent past, Wong Tai Sin Temple is also said to
worship is one of Hong Kong’s mostgrant its devotees wishes if one performs the
frequented and revered shrines that haveKau Cim ritual. Those who wish to indulge in the
enchanted visitors and pious worshippers sincepractice must set their incense sticks alight while
time immemorial.kneeling before the central alter and make a wish
The magnificent Nine-Dragon Wall, built in the formwhile shaking a bamboo container with fortune
of its Beijing counterpart is one highlight within thesticks. Once a sticks falls from the container it is
temple grounds while other noteworthy venuesthen exchanged for a piece of paper which must
include the Three-Saint Hall devoted to Guan,be interpreted by any of the many fortune tellers
Guan and Lü Dongbin, and the mesmerizingand soothsayer that line the temple grounds.
painting of philosopher Confucius. Housing anCurious travelers may also have their fortunes
exquisite collection of an ancient Buddhist writingsread by palm readers who have also set up
and Confucian/Taoist literature this monumentalbooths in the premises.
temple ground is also home to a lush Good WishThose on the lookout for a Hong Kong hotel in
Garden. Other must-see locales include the gloriousthe Causeway Bay region can do no better than
Grand Hall and the Sansheng Hall while the threethe luxurious Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong.
memorial pergolas are equally captivating.Offering unparalleled access to The Peak, Golden
A veritable treasure chest for architecture buffs,Bauhinia Square and Queen Elizabeth Stadium, it is
the temple’s towering red pillars and yellowa conveniently located 4 star hotel Hong Kong is
lattice belong to the traditional Chinese templeproud to call one of its finest.
school of design. Visitors should also take note of