Wong Tai Sin Temple, a Taoist temple established in 1921, is one of the most famous temples in Hong Kong. It is also renowned among overseas Chinese in Southern Asia, Europe, and America.
Wong Tai Sin Temple is named after Wong Chuping. When Wong Chuping was 15, he began to follow Taoism. Forty years later, he achieved enlightenment and became immortal. People called him Wong Tai Sin from then on. It is said that he punishes evils, heals the wounded, and rescues the dying. The influence of Wong Tai Sin spread from Guangdong Province to Hong Kong in the early 20th century. With his mercy and his power, he is said to grant whatever is requested. Wong Tai Sin Temple is known for its fortune-telling. The fortune sticks (or lots) in Wong Tai Sin Temple are very accurate. Many people who visit the temple come to have their fortunes told. Generally, worshippers entreat the fate of the same year. They light worship sticks, kneel before the main altar, make a wish, and shake a bamboo cylinder containing fortune sticks until one falls out. The stick is exchanged for a piece of paper bearing the same number, and the soothsayer then interprets the fortune on the paper for the worshipper. Wong Tai Sin has many worshippers in Hong Kong, so the joss sticks and candles burn exuberantly all year round, especially during the Chinese Lunar New Year and Wong Tai Sin's birthday - the 23rd day of the eighth lunar month.
Wong Tai Sin Temple is also called Sik Sik Yuen. The architecture of Wong Tai Sin Temple is in the traditional Chinese temple style: grand red pillars, a magnificent golden roof adorned with blue friezes, yellow latticework, and resplendent multi-colored carvings. Aside from the Daxiong-baodian or Grand Hall, Sansheng Hall and the Good Wish Garden are also worth seeing. The temple grounds also feature three memorial archways. The first one stands outside the temple and is carved with the name of the temple. If you walk past the soothsayers and the fortune-telling stalls, you can see another memorial archway. And if you continue further along the third memorial archway standing before you. Memorial archways are a common feature of traditional Chinese architecture. Also at the temple are the Nine Dragon Wall--a replica of the renowned Nine Dragon Wall in Beijing, and the Good Wish Garden - a miniature copy of Beijing's Summer Palace .
Additionally, Wong Tai Sin Temple is the only temple that offers facilities for wedding ceremonies in Hong Kong.
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Travelers' Voices on Wong Tai Sin Temple
1.
Nov. 11,2009 02:39 Reply
Ms.Bella(Malaysia) said:
Hi! May I know how and what is the cheapest transportation to go to Wong Tai Sin Temple from my hotel
Dorsett Seaview, Kowloon and also back to my hotel?TQ
Nov. 11,2009 21:17
Mr.Goodman replied:
Hello,Ms.Bella. Dorsett Seaview Hotel is about 5 minuts walk from Yau Ma Tei Metro Station. Just walk there and then take Kwun Tong Line, get off until it reach Wong Tai Sin stop. You can take the same way back to your hotel.
2.
Sep. 24,2009 02:37 Reply
Ms.sandee(philippines) said:
Hi,
I'll be coming from kimberly road in tsimshatsui, how do i get to wong tai sin temple, iand is there an entrance fee and i want to also to try the fortune telling is there also a fee and how much? From wong tai sin temple what bus # to ride to go back tsimshatsui, were just visiting hongkong. thanks.
Sep. 26,2009 04:54
Mr.Goodman replied:
Hi,already been there? If not, this may help. Take Tsuen Wan Line from Tsim Sha Tsui to Mong Kok and then tranfer to Kwun Tong Line from Mong Kok to Wong Tai Sin. The whole trip takes 16 minuts with a single ticke of HKD7.5 or HKD6.8 with Octopus Card.
Sep. 27,2009 21:29
Ms.sandee(philippines) replied:
Hi,
Thanks for the reply, if going to back to tsimshatsui from wong tai sin by bus, what bus # are going to take, and for how much, because we want to see places and more fun if were going to take by bus, that is only going back to tsimshatsui, not going to wong tai sin. Thanks in advance.
3.
Sep. 27,2009 01:16 Reply
Ms.Adeline(Malaysia) said:
Hi,
I will be visiting Wong Tai Sin Temple soon and will be following MTR Wong Tai Sin Station Exit B2 or B3. Can anyone of you tell me what is the walking distance time to the temple from either one of the Exit? Thank you.
Sep. 27,2009 03:53
Ms.Tina(CN) replied:
Hi,Adeline. You will reach the entrance to Wong Tai Sin Temple when you get out of Exit B3. B3 is nearer.
Sep. 27,2009 07:01
Ms.Adeline(M'sia) replied:
Thanks a lot, Ms. Tina.
4.
Sep. 14,2009 23:27 Reply
Ms.Cynthia (Singapore) said:
I drawed a no 85 stick from Wong Tai Sin, are there any website can do translation? I can read chinese. Thanks
Sep. 24,2009 22:25
Ms.Claaudia(Singapore) replied:
Here's the website : http://www.siksikyuen.org.hk/public/main#.
you can translate to english. Go to the heading that reads " wong tai sin temple" then click on "predication of wong tai sin".
Hope that helps. Have a nice day!
5.
Sep. 17,2009 05:56 Reply
Ms.Tung(HK) said:
Hi,
I went to Wong Tai Sin last week and planning to go for next visit at the end of this week. My question is I'm believing in Lord Jesus, would that be fine if I go to the temple for fortune stick? Kind of confusing!!!!!
6.
Sep. 7,2009 21:35 Reply
Mr.Benny(Singapore) said:
Hi Friends,
I went to Wong Tai Sen Temple in August 2009 and the temple was uggrading. Can anyone there advise me when will the upgading completed??
My friend.s parent is going there.
Thank you very much!!
Sep. 7,2009 22:36
Ms.Orange replied:
Hi,Benny. It is said the upgrading work won't be finished until 2010.
Sep. 8,2009 21:41
Mr.Benny(Singapore) replied:
Hi Ms Orange,
Thank you for your information.
Cheers!!
7.
Sep. 5,2009 07:16 Reply
Ms.Carie(Malaysia) said:
Hi, I am visiting HK next week. I will most definately visit this place. Therefore, I would like to know if there is any rules or dress code that is specificed? Can short pants and short sleeve are allowed?
Sep. 6,2009 21:57
Ms.Lynn replied:
I think it is acceptable, because I saw many people in the temple wear short sleeves and pants in summer.
8.
Sep. 6,2009 07:05 Reply
Mr.Anshul(India) said:
I will be visiting hongkong for first time and will be there atleast for 8 - 10 days. I will be staying in Kawloon. Can someone let me know
1. is there any place appart from Ocean Park, HK Disneyland, Victoria Peak, Aberdeen, Causeway Bay, Stanley, Star Ferry, Wong Tai Sin Temple & Macau.
2. Are metro trains available for above destination expect Macau.
Sep. 6,2009 20:44
Ms.Barbie replied:
1. Star Ferry is located in Kowloon.
2. Disney Resort Line can take you directly to HK Disneyland.
9.
Sep. 3,2009 20:17 Reply
Mr.Kanmi(USA) said:
We will be in Honk Kong in October, we will staying in Metropart Park Hotel, 75 Waterloo Road Kowloon, how do we get to this Wong Tai Sin Temple from the Hotel. Thanks.
Sep. 4,2009 04:19
Mr.Homer(cn) replied:
Hi,Kanmi. Metro Kwun Tong Line directs to Wong Tai Sin Temple. Just go the take the metro.
10.
May. 12,2009 12:05 Reply
Mrs.Donna(Netherlands) said:
I visited the temple and saw a fortune teller. My number: 43. He told me that this was the worst of the worst and that I will not be able to recover when I get ill. He looked at my hands and on the piece of paper corresponding with nr. 43. I was shocked and went home crying. Should I believe this man?
May. 12,2009 22:40
Mr.Jerry replied:
For the fortune telling, to be lieved to be seen. I will no take it seriously, but I may be cautious, anyway. In deed, we should take care of ourselves all the time. He just reminded you. Anything have not happened yet, right? Just leave it alone.
May. 13,2009 09:53
Ms.katelyn s(ohio) replied:
no do not believe him
May. 25,2009 09:24
Ms.Cheung(HK) replied:
don't worry! just be yourself and i'm sure everything will turn out the way it should. i live in hong kong myself and i saw a fortune teller there today (perhaps not the same booth) but she told me that it was important to live our lives without being influenced by the fortune telling results.
cheer up! the results change anyway. it all comes to the life we live ourselves=]
i hope u had a nice time in HK!
Jun. 12,2009 06:50
Mr.Ricky May(USA) replied:
Mrs. Donna, I would consider that it is Daoist. There is good in the bad, and bad in the good. If the fortune told you that you would become the richest person in the world tomorrow, do you think this would be all wonderful?! Do you think you would have no problems and would never get ill and would not have to pay taxes or die?
No, even as the world's richest person, you will experience terrible and sad things. People will use you and lie to you and cheat you, etc. If you were not the richest person these people would not do that.
So the fortune teller told you that it is the worst of the worst. Is that entirely a bad thing? Is there such a thing as only bad???
No, especially according to Taoism. Perhaps you can find comfort knowing that your "illness" means something else. For example, maybe you will face some great challenge. Perhaps you are chosen for this challenge because you are the strongest one in your family and only you can shoulder this burden. Perhaps this burden you carry will save your family some troube. Should you cry about taking this burden, to save you family?
No, you shouldn't. Our families are the most important thing. It would be an honor to serve your family in this way and they would remember you forever for your sacrifice.
This is just one example of how this "bad" news can be accepted.
The darkness and light swirl together endlessly, each with a part of the other. This is the natural world we are a part of. Things will happen because it is natural. Do not fear what is natural.
:)rickymay
Aug. 14,2009 14:03
Mr.Jay(NZ) replied:
Hi Mrs. Donna. It appears that you are ready to buy about what other's say of your life rather than believing what you can achieve by yourself.
Fortune telling is only for fun. Ask yourself what is this fortune teller doing on the streets. Why cannot he find a good life.
Aug. 16,2009 17:51
Mr.Mike(Philippines) replied:
Hi.
I practice fortune telling myself. Remember if the gods revealed it to you. It can changed. Pray and ask for guidance. It can be remedied.